On March 31, 2025, a Thai court issued an arrest warrant for Paul Chambers, a political scientist, lecturer, and special advisor on international affairs at Naresuan University, in connection to his research on the role of the military in Thailand and comments that he made during an online discussion in late 2024.
Chambers’s research examines the power and influence of the military in Thailand and the evolving nature of civil-military relations in the country. During a webinar in late 2024, he made comments regarding a reorganization of the military. Following the webinar, a Thai-language newspaper claimed that his comments were insulting to the Thai monarchy and called for him to be fired. A Thai security official sent a letter questioning Naresuan University about Chambers’s position at the university.
In February 2025, the Thai military filed a complaint against Chambers for his webinar comments. On March 31, a Thai court issued an arrest warrant, and on April 4, the Thai police issued a summons for Chambers, charging him with violating the country’s lese-majeste law, which makes it illegal to insult the monarchy, and computer crimes act, which bars the introduction of “counterfeit computer data that could threaten national security.”
The police agreed not to immediately detain Chambers, but, at the time of writing on April 5, he was slated to report to the police on April 8.
Update 4/8: Chambers was detained after reporting to the police on April 8; the Phitsanulok Provincial Court denied his request for bail.
Update 4/14: Chambers was released on bail on April 9 under the condition that he wear an ankle monitor. His passport was also confiscated.
Update 5/7: On May 1, regional prosecutors dropped the charges against Chambers.
In addition, on May 2, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights confirmed that Naresuan University had terminated Chambers’s contract. The university’s vice-rector of administration, acting for the rector, issued two termination notices on April 21 and on April 24, making the decision retroactively effective April 9, the day after Chambers was taken in police custody. The notices reportedly stated that Chambers no longer met the conditions for employment. As of May 7, Chambers and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights were appealing the termination of his employment, arguing that the vice-rector overstepped his authority in issuing the termination notices; that Chambers was not given an opportunity for a hearing nor was he given three months advance notice as required by his contract; and that Chambers did not engage in serious misconduct or failure to meet qualifications, which are the only grounds for termination according to university regulations.
Chamber’s termination nullified his permit to work in Thailand. Since immigration authorities also revoked Chambers’ visa shortly after he was charged, Chambers risks deportation. Chambers is required to report to immigration authorities monthly and, at the time of writing, his passport, which was confiscated under the conditions of his bail, had not yet been returned to him.
Scholars at Risk is concerned about the criminal investigation of a scholar in connection to his academic research and nonviolent expression—conduct that is expressly protected by international human rights instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Thailand is a party. State authorities should refrain from criminal investigations and other coercive legal action intended to restrict or retaliate against such conduct. Criminal investigations in response to scholars’ nonviolent expressive activity undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.
Sources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/thailand-us-academic-paul-chambers-charged-insulting-king-lese-majeste-law/
https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/southeast-asia/paul-chambers-thailand-royal-insult-charge-b2727303.html
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2995732/american-academic-faces-royal-insult-charge
https://112watch.org/condemning-the-arrest-of-scholar-paul-chambers/
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqx48egpgq1o
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2998471/bail-denied-for-american-scholar-charged-with-royal-insult
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3305719/us-academic-faces-jail-term-insulting-thai-king-raising-concerns-over-free-speech
https://tlhr2014.com/en/archives/74771