A legal case against an American academic accused of defaming Thailand’s royal family has been dropped by Thai prosecutors, marking a rare move in a country known for strict laws protecting its monarchy.
Paul Chambers, a respected political analyst and lecturer at Naresuan University, was arrested last month after Thailand’s army filed a complaint linking him to an online seminar discussing military and police reshuffles. His arrest shocked observers, as it marked one of the few times a foreign national had been charged under Thailand’s harsh lese-majeste law.
Prosecutors announced Thursday that they would not move forward with the charges and would ask the court to dismiss the case. However, the final decision remains pending as police must agree to this request. If they object, the case will be escalated to the attorney-general.
The complaint against Chambers stemmed from a notice for a webinar organized by a Singapore-based research institute. Though Chambers was a speaker, he did not write or distribute the promotional material. The army’s accusations were reportedly based on a Facebook post by a royalist who translated the webinar description into Thai, interpreting it as offensive to the monarchy.
Thai authorities accused Chambers of defaming the monarchy, spreading false information that could threaten national security, and causing public panic through online content. These are serious allegations under Thai law, where lese-majeste charges can result in long prison terms.
Chambers has lived and worked in Thailand for three decades and is known internationally for his research on the Thai military. He denied involvement in the publication of the webinar notice, maintaining that he had no role in its wording or distribution.
Thailand’s lese-majeste law dates back to 1908 and carries severe penalties. In recent years, its use has expanded significantly, especially since protests began in 2020 calling for royal reform. More than 300 lese-majeste cases have been recorded since then, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, including cases involving minors.
International human rights groups and foreign governments have criticized the law for stifling free speech. Just last month, the European Parliament urged Thailand to amend the law and release individuals jailed under it.
Though Chambers has been cleared for now, the case highlighted ongoing tensions between academic freedom and state efforts to protect the monarchy. It also raised questions about the growing use of lese-majeste laws against critics, whether domestic or foreign.