Thai-US Trade Talks Stall Amid Lèse Majesté Case Against American Scholar
CHIANG MAI, Thailand — Ongoing criminal investigations against American citizens in Thailand, including a controversial royal defamation case, have contributed to the postponement of key trade negotiations between Thailand and the United States, according to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Speaking on Saturday, Thaksin confirmed that informal discussions had begun but said progress was hampered by the US government’s concerns over legal actions targeting Americans in Thailand. “They [the US] are now acting on information supplied by various organisations about lawsuits against a number of American citizens,” he said.
One high-profile case involves Paul Chambers, a longtime American academic at Naresuan University, charged with lèse majesté over remarks made during an online lecture about Thailand’s military reshuffle. Chambers, who was arrested earlier this month, is out on bail but faces visa revocation and a looming trial. His case has drawn alarm from the US State Department and human rights groups.
As tensions rose, a planned Thai delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira canceled a trip to Washington. The talks were initially set to address a 36% tariff on Thai exports, part of broader US trade policy shifts.
Although US President Donald Trump delayed the tariff’s enforcement for 90 days, negotiations were expected to offer Thailand a chance to avoid the hike. Thailand currently enjoys a $45.6 billion trade surplus with the US.
Thaksin urged calm, suggesting Thailand focus on preparing solid data for future talks and reflect on its broader trade strategy. “We should calm down and focus on preparing the information [required for future talks],” he said during a campaign visit to Chiang Mai, even reworking Trump’s famous slogan into, “Make Thailand Great Again.”
Meanwhile, Thaksin himself faces lèse majesté and computer crime charges over a 2015 interview in South Korea, with a court date set for July. He hinted he may seek court permission to travel to the US if needed for future negotiations.
Despite the diplomatic turbulence, Thaksin emphasized that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra would not need to intervene directly, as the discussions remain between the US Trade Representative (USTR), US Department of Commerce, and Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce.
