US academic in Thailand charged for criticising monarchy, blurb appeared on S'pore website

An American academic was charged in Thailand on Apr. 8 over content published on a Singapore academic website promoting a webinar he gave on the Thai military reshuffle in October 2024.

Paul Chambers is facing two charges — royal defamation and violation of the Computer Crimes Act, Bangkok Post reported.

While he was initially denied bail, the 58-year-old has since been granted bail as he awaits trial.

Complaint from the army

Paul Chambers is a political science lecturer at Naresuan University in Thailand and was a visiting fellow at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, a research centre based in Singapore.

The complaint against Chambers was filed by the Thai army, over a blurb on the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute's website about a webinar he conducted on Thailand’s military reshuffles.

The blurb has since been edited online, but reportedly included content that allegedly criticised the monarchy.

Chambers has stated that he did not write or publish the blurb.

Appeal granted

In a post on X, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights announced that Chambers has been released on a bail surety of THB 300,000 (S$11,743).

His bail conditions include a travel ban without court approval, passport confiscation, formal appointment of a guarantor, and wearing an electronic monitoring (EM) anklet.

He is also required to report to Phitsanulok Immigration every 30 days.

Following the charges, Chambers’ visa was revoked by the Immigration Bureau.

According to his lawyers, he has until 4pm on Apr. 11 (Thailand time) to appeal the visa revocation order.

Authorities also conducted a search on Chambers' work office at Naresuan University and confiscated his laptop, mouse, and keyboard.

Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch labelled the charges against Chambers "groundless" and has called for his "immediate release."

“The Thai authorities have long used the royal insult law to abuse Thai citizens but now seem intent on violating the rights of foreigners,” said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

“The baseless prosecution of Paul Chambers poses a serious threat to academic freedom and free speech in Thailand.”

Top photos from @pwchambers3699/X and @armyspoke_news/X