Thai Prosecutors Recommend Dropping Lese-Majeste Case Against American Academic Paul Chambers
PHITSANULOK, Thailand – Thai prosecutors have advised dropping the controversial royal defamation (lese-majeste) and computer crimes case against Paul Chambers, an American academic and expert on Thai civil-military affairs, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) confirmed on Thursday.
According to OAG spokesman Sakkasem Nisaiyok, prosecutors in Region 6 (which covers Phitsanulok province) reviewed the police investigation and concluded that the evidence did not meet the threshold required to pursue charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, Thailand’s harsh royal insult law.
The recommendation will be submitted to the Phitsanulok Provincial Court for dismissal. A copy has also been forwarded to the commander of Provincial Police Region 6. The OAG did not provide further details, citing only the lack of sufficient evidence.
Case Stirred Diplomatic Concerns Amid US-Thai Tensions
The decision comes at a diplomatically sensitive time, with speculation that the case may have contributed to delays in US-Thai trade negotiations over proposed 36% tariffs on Thai exports. However, Thailand’s Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) denied any link between the prosecution and trade talks.
Chambers, 58, a lecturer and international affairs adviser at Naresuan University, was charged on April 8, following a complaint by the Third Army Region and Isoc. The charges stemmed from a webinar announcement by the Singapore-based ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, which listed Chambers as a speaker on Thai military and police reshuffles. He denies writing or publishing the notice.
Bail Granted, Ankle Monitor Removed
After spending one night in detention, Chambers was released on bail but was required to wear an ankle monitor. On Monday, he petitioned to have the device removed, citing no flight risk. The provincial court initially denied the request, but the Court of Appeal overturned that decision on Wednesday, allowing the device’s removal.
His passport was seized and his visa revoked by the Immigration Bureau. Officials have said no deportation decision will be made until court proceedings officially conclude.
Academic Freedom and International Response
Chambers’ family in Oklahoma mounted a lobbying campaign urging U.S. lawmakers and the State Department to intervene. His brother, Kit Chambers, wrote a newspaper op-ed urging the U.S. to withhold trade negotiations until his release.
This week, the American Political Science Association (APSA) also issued a public statement calling on the Thai government to uphold freedom of expression and academic freedom, which are guaranteed under Thailand’s constitution and international agreements.
Paul Chambers, who earned his PhD in political science from Northern Illinois University, has lived in Thailand since 1993. He is widely respected for his work on military influence in Southeast Asian politics. His publications include:
- Khaki Capital: The Political Economy of the Military in Southeast Asia
- Praetorian Kingdom: A History of Military Ascendancy in Thailand
