Condemning the Arrest of Scholar Paul Chambers on Lèse-majesté

Paul Chambers, a prominent foreign scholar at Naresuan University specialising in Thai politics, particularly the military, has been arrested under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, commonly known as the lèse-majesté law. This complaint was filed by Thailand’s Third Army Region.

An American political scientist, Chambers is recognised for his extensive work on civil-military relations in Southeast Asia. He coined the concept of the “monarchised military” – a military institution whose loyalty, legitimacy, and political authority are anchored in its role as protector of the monarchy. In such systems, the military’s allegiance to the crown supersedes its commitment to democratic institutions or civilian oversight. It is likely that his research on the monarchised military prompted the lèse-majesté complaint.

Chambers currently serves as a lecturer and special advisor on international affairs at Naresuan University. His distinguished academic career includes positions as a visiting scholar at institutions such as the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), the German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance, and the Cambodian Institute of Cooperation and Peace. He has also held visiting positions at Heidelberg University and the German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA) in Hamburg, Germany. His extensive publications include numerous books and articles in reputable academic journals.

Chambers’s research emphasises the role of the military in Thailand, particularly concerning its power and political influence. His work is essential to understanding the evolution of Thailand’s civil-military relations and the enduring power structures that continue to shape the nation’s political landscape. These issues remain critical to the country’s ongoing political development and the future trajectory of the military’s political role within Thai society.

112WATCH condemns his arrest and urges the Thai government to uphold academic freedom and prevent the politicisation of Article 112.

4 April 2025