112WATCH Speaks to Family of Paul Chambers
The U.S. State Department has expressed concern over the arrest, pointing to ongoing worries about how Thailand applies its Lèse-majesté laws. International human rights organisations have echoed these concerns.
April 16, 2025
Paul Chambers, a U.S. academic affiliated with Naresuan University in Thailand, has been granted bail following his recent arrest on charges linked to Thailand's stringent royal defamation laws. The 58-year-old, who has taught in Thailand for over a decade, paid 300,000 baht (approximately $8,800) to secure his release, according to statements from his legal team on Thursday. He had been detained in Phitsanulok province earlier in the week, accused of violating the country's lèse-majesté law, which criminalizes insults to the monarchy. No date has been scheduled for Chambers' trial, and his case marks an uncommon instance of a foreign national being prosecuted under this controversial statute. Thailand’s lèse-majesté laws, which can carry penalties of up to 15 years in prison, have long been criticised for being used to suppress dissent and silence critics of the monarchy, currently headed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Chambers remained in custody until late Wednesday while negotiations took place regarding his visa status. The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), which is representing him, reported that his legal representatives are preparing to appeal the revocation of his visa. The allegations stem from a complaint filed by the Thai police this month in response to a brief online summary that Chambers did not write for a webinar of Singapore’s think tank ISEAS (Institute of Southeast Asian Studies).
The U.S. State Department has expressed concern over the arrest, pointing to ongoing worries about how Thailand applies its Lèse-majesté laws. The department urged Thai authorities to uphold freedom of speech and to prevent these laws from being used to stifle legitimate expression. International human rights organisations have echoed these concerns, noting that Article 112 has increasingly been used against not only activists and students but also academics. While reform efforts have emerged in recent years, a Thai court has ruled that attempts to amend or repeal the law conflict with the country’s constitution.
On this occasion, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, founder of 112WATCH, had a chance to speak to Kit Chambers, brother of Paul, on the telephone. Kit told Pavin that the Chambers family has been putting a great effort to bring Paul’s case under the global spotlight. Kit himself has reached out to the US authorities and the media so as to keep everyone informed of Paul’s wellbeing in Thailand. The statement below was sent by Kit to 112WATCH:
“Paul Chambers is a recognised senior academic and authority on Southeast Asia, and native Oklahoman, has been wrongfully arrested, briefly imprisoned, and faces trial in Thailand on false charges of “lèse-majesté,” insulting the King. The charge is extremely serious (up to 15 years in prison) and difficult to rescind once the “train has left the station.” The US Ambassador and his team continue to try and negotiate a solution, but no results yet and no guarantees. Paul has spent more than three decades in Thailand; he understands the culture and the rules and is a knowledgeable and a sought-after expert not only on Thailand but all Southeast Asia. He speaks Thai and Lao. He has never written, posted or spoken one derogatory word about the Thai monarchy.”
Kit also offered an update on the current situation. He said, “As of April 15, 2025, Paul was out on bail but wearing an ankle monitor. His passport and work visa have been confiscated. The Thai police are going to search his home and electronic devices to try and find any additional information that could further incriminate him on this bogus Lèse-majesté charge of insulting the King. Paul was detained in the local prison for a night when he was arrested, and told me the prison was absolutely awful, and he could not bear to go back. In a matter of weeks, if no settlement is reached in his case, he will go to trial and most likely found guilty. We have lots of support from the U.S. State Department and key Congressional offices.”
