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A US academic, Dr. Paul Chambers, has been arrested in Thailand on charges of insulting the monarchy, a crime known as lèse-majesté.
The arrest took place Tuesday morning at Mueang Phitsanulok Police Station, with representatives from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, US Embassy staff, and university colleagues present. Chambers, a Thai studies scholar at Naresuan University, faces charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Crime Act, potentially carrying a sentence of up to 15 years.
He is currently being held without bail, deemed a flight risk due to the severity of the potential sentence.
The charges reportedly relate to an October online post on a Singaporean institute’s website. While the post advertised a seminar, it has been deemed offensive under Thailand’s strict lèse-majesté laws. Chambers denies any involvement with the post or the website, claiming only to know of its existence within academic circles.
The US State Department expressed alarm over the arrest, emphasizing their commitment to monitoring the situation and advocating for Chambers’ fair treatment. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce reiterated longstanding concerns about Thailand’s lèse-majesté laws and urged Thai authorities to respect freedom of expression. Human Rights Watch echoed these concerns, labeling the prosecution as a threat to academic freedom.
This arrest comes amid increasing international scrutiny of Thailand’s lèse-majesté laws. The UN recently condemned their use, calling detentions arbitrary and expressing concern over the chilling effect on free speech. Since 2020, over 270 individuals have been charged under these laws, highlighting the ongoing tension between the Thai government and those advocating for greater freedom of expression.