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Thai Court Issues Arrest Warrant for American Academic Under Lese-Majeste Law
BANGKOK, Thailand – A court in Thailand has issued an arrest warrant for an American academic accused of violating the nation’s strict lese-majeste law, which prohibits insults against the monarchy. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding freedom of speech and the application of the lese-majeste law in Thailand. Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University, is facing legal action following a complaint filed by the army under both the lese-majeste statute and computer crime legislation.
Legal Proceedings Against Academic
According to his legal representatives, the complaint against Mr. Chambers was initiated by the military. Mr. Chambers and his lawyer are scheduled to appear before police on Tuesday, at which time formal charges are anticipated to be presented.
Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate, the advocacy lead for Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Centre, who is representing Mr. Chambers, stated to the BBC that the specific reasons for the complaint remain unclear.
Should Mr. Chambers be found guilty, he could be sentenced to a prison term ranging from three to fifteen years for each charge of lese-majeste.
Details of the Complaint
The BBC has sought comment from the Royal Thai Police regarding the matter.
Mr. Akarachai noted that while it is less common, the lese-majeste law has been applied to foreign nationals in the past.
The army’s complaint against Mr. Chambers alleges “defamation, contempt, or malice” directed towards the royal family. It further accuses him of “importing false computer data” in a manner “likely to jeopardize national security or incite public panic,” and disseminating computer data “that could potentially undermine national security,” as detailed in a police letter received by the university’s social sciences faculty on Friday, according to his legal team.
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Centre confirmed that the arrest warrant was issued by the court on Monday.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
If charges are formally brought against Mr. Chambers on Tuesday, authorities will have the option to release him on bail or to detain him. In the event of detention, his lawyer would then apply for bail on his behalf.
Following any charges, the police will conduct an investigation. If they conclude that an offense has been committed, they will refer the case to prosecutors, who will ultimately decide whether to formally indict him.
Mr. Chambers’ LinkedIn profile indicates that he initially lived and worked in Thailand three decades ago. He has since returned to the country for extended periods as a lecturer and researcher, including authoring books on the Thai military.
His legal representatives have confirmed that he has not previously been subpoenaed.
Context of Lese-Majeste Law in Thailand
Thailand’s lese-majeste law has been integral to the country’s legal framework since the inception of its first criminal code in 1908. The penalties associated with the law were significantly increased in 1976.
The Thai government maintains that the law is essential for safeguarding the monarchy. Conversely, critics argue that it is frequently employed to suppress freedom of expression and dissent.
Mr. Akarachai informed the BBC that the application of lese-majeste has become more frequent since the surge of student-led pro-democracy demonstrations in 2020, which included calls for monarchy reform.
After months of protests, Thailand reactivated the lese-majeste law after a hiatus of over two years.
Increased Use of Lese-Majeste
Since late 2020, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Centre has documented over 300 lese-majeste cases involving more than 270 individuals, including 20 minors under the age of 18, according to Mr. Akarachai.
“When individuals participate in street protests advocating for monarchy reforms, they risk political prosecution. It now appears that academics who write or engage in discussions about these matters in academic settings also face a similar risk of political prosecution,” he stated.
Last year, a reformist political party was dissolved by court decree after the court determined that the party’s pledge to amend the lese-majeste law was unconstitutional.
The European Parliament last month urged Thailand to reform the law, describing it as “among the strictest globally,” and to grant amnesty to those prosecuted and imprisoned under its provisions.
Mr. Akarachai indicated that the Thai parliament is scheduled to deliberate on the issue of amnesty legislation on Wednesday.