Thai Prosecutors Decide Not to Pursue Royal Defamation Charges Against American Scholar
BANGKOK — Thai state prosecutors declared on Thursday that they will not pursue charges against Paul Chambers, an American political science lecturer, who was arrested for allegedly insulting the monarchy. This offense, known as “lèse majesté,” carries a severe penalty of up to 15 years in prison. Chambers, aged 58 and originally from Oklahoma, was detained last month, prompting widespread concern among academics worldwide and drawing the attention of the U.S. government.
Although the statement indicated the prosecutors plan to request the provincial court to dismiss the charges against Chambers, he is not yet cleared of the allegations. The move will involve sending the case file to the Provincial Police Region 6 commissioner, who retains the right to review and potentially contest the decision. Chambers was arrested early in April following a complaint initiated by the army’s Internal Security Operations Command.
His research focuses on the influence and power of the Thai military, which has played a significant role in the country’s political history. His arrest stemmed from a complaint related to a Facebook post that referenced a webinar on Thai politics, where he participated. Supporters argue that the content cited in the charges was not authored by him.
Following his arrest, Chambers spent two nights in jail before being released on bail with conditions that included wearing an ankle monitor. Recently, a court approved the removal of this device. Chambers’ visa was revoked at the time of his arrest under immigration laws that prohibit entry to foreigners deemed likely to disrupt public order.
The status of this revocation remains unclear. The U.S. State Department has expressed ongoing concerns over the enforcement of lèse majesté laws, emphasizing the need to uphold freedom of expression in Thailand. Thailand’s lèse majesté law is considered one of the most stringent globally, punishing defamation of the monarchy with severe consequences.
Despite its traditional reverence among conservative Thais, particularly in military and judicial circles, recent years have seen a rise in public dialogue surrounding this sensitive topic. Student-led protests for democracy since 2020 have been pivotal in questioning the monarchy, resulting in a surge of legal actions against critics. According to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, over 270 individuals, many of them student activists, have faced charges related to this law since early 2020.