Reuters interviewed Pavin on Paul Chambers' limbo
"Chambers, 58, has lost his work visa and job at Naresuan University, and his passport was seized. He denies the charges, has appealed against the revocation of his visa and confiscation of his passport and is contesting his dismissal."
May 17, 2025
As reported by Reuters, "Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thai academic at Japan's Kyoto University and a critic of the Thai monarchy, said Chambers' case showed the lese-majeste law was "a legal weapon that inflicts punishment by process" and "parallyse lives". "Even though the charges were dropped, the damage is already done - his career has been disrupted, his legal status left in limbo and his ability to move freely revoked," Pavin said. A Thai government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Pavin's assertions.
The interview was conducted in the context of Chambers being charged with lese-majeste. Although the charge against him was dropped, it already caused serious damage to his life and career.
Read full article, titled " American academic in limbo in Thailand over royal insult case, family says," published on 16 May 2025, here:
