American academic faces 15 years in jail for insulting royal family
An American academic faces 15 years in prison in Thailand after being accused of insulting the royal family.
Paul Chambers, a 58-year-old lecturer at Thailand's Naresuan University, was arrested last week following a complaint filed by the army.
A lawyer for Chambers has said the accusations stemmed from a blurb for an online academic seminar last year at which he was a speaker. The blurb was posted on a website of a research institute based outside of Thailand.
'He has denied all charges,' Wannaphat Jenroumjit, who is part of the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights group, said before adding Chambers was denied bail.
Chambers told Bloomberg the Thai military filed a complaint about comments he made regarding the powers of the prime minister and the monarchy.
He claims his response did not break the law against insulting the monarchy. Still, Chambers said, a Thai-language newspaper demanded his firing and a Thai security official questioned his employer.
Chambers is originally from Oklahoma but has lived in Thailand since 1993.
He was also charged with a computer crime violation.
Paul Chambers faces 15 years in jail after being accused of insulting the Thai royal family
Chambers said Thai military filed a complaint about comments he made regarding the powers of the prime minister and the monarchy. Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn is seen in 2024
'He came to acknowledge the two charges, including a violation of Section 112,' a Phitsanulok police officer said, according to Reuters.
Thailand's monarchy is protected by Section 112 of the country's penal code, which says anyone found guilty of defaming, insulting or threatening the king, queen, heir apparent or regent shall be punished with imprisonment of three to 15 years.
Thai royalists consider the monarchy sacrosanct. Public discussion of the law has for decades been a taboo issue, with dozens of people jailed for perceived insults of the crown.
Since student-led, anti-government protests in 2020 that saw calls to abolish the law, 279 people have been charged with the offense, according to data compiled by the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights group.
Foreigners are rarely prosecuted for insulting the monarchy, but in 2020 an American was pardoned after spending part of a two and a half years in jail for translating and posting a banned book about the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Several prominent student leaders who made calls to scrap the law have since been imprisoned.
Asked about Chambers, the US State Department said it was concerned about the arrest of a US citizen.
'We regularly urge Thai authorities, both privately and publicly, to protect freedom of expression in accordance with Thailand's international obligations,' a spokesperson said.
Chambers is originally from Oklahoma but has lived in Thailand since 1993. He is an expert on militaries and democracy in Southeast Asia
Thai royalists consider the monarchy sacrosanct. Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida are pictured
Chambers is a special adviser on international affairs at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok.
He is an expert on militaries and democracy in Southeast Asia and has a doctorate from Northern Illinois University.
'We express our grave concern over the recent issuance of an arrest warrant against Dr. Chambers, a well-respected social scientist, under Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code and the Computer Crime Act,' The Southeast Asian Human Rights and Peace Studies Network said in a statement.
'His academic work has contributed to a better understanding of Thai social and political dynamics, and had inspired many lives of Thai students through teaching, research, and mentoring.
'The use of criminal law—under any circumstances—against scholars, researchers and students, directly undermines the dignity and integrity of both social and educational institutions.
'We call on the Thai authorities to respect due process, ensure transparency, and guarantee the protection of academic freedoms.
'We urge the immediate withdrawal of charges against Dr. Chambers. The right to study, publish, and speak freely is essential for all societies committed to freedom justice and democracy.'
