Paul Chambers, an intellectual in the US, is being’alarmed’ by advancements.
PUBLISHED: 9 Apr 2025 at 18:09
According to his attorneys, Thai immigration authorities on Wednesday revoked the visa of British intellectual Paul Chambers, who is being held on charges of imperial defamation.
In a statement posted on X, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights ( TLHR ) stated that “lawyers are preparing to appeal the Immigration Bureau’s order within the next 48 hours and will also appeal the order not to grant bail during the investigation.”
Police said they had even obtained a warrant to search Mr. Chambers ‘ office at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, where he lectures and serves as a special advisor on foreign affairs.
After Mr. Chambers reported to the local authorities to answer the charge brought against him under Part 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese-majeste law, the Phitsanulok Provincial Court on Tuesday denied a request for loan.
Wannaphat Jenroumjit, his attorney, announced that she would submit a new request to the Court of Appeal for his client’s transfer. His legal team previously stated that Mr. Chambers was in good health and would be willing to follow any rules that the court had placed.
The Third Army Region filed the complaint against Mr. Chambers. He is accused of violating the Computer Crime Act in addition to a demand brought by him under Part 112 of the Criminal Code and the Lese-majeste Act. The two fees generally combine.
Less-majeste is guilty of three to fifteen years in prison.
According to the plaintiffs, the problem allegedly came from information that was published on an educational website in connection with a workshop held in October of that year about the monthly Thai military and police reshuffles.
Mr. Chambers is well-known in scientific circles as a pundit on politics and civil-military relations in Asia, with a particular emphasis on Thailand. He holds a PhD in social science from Northern Illinois University. Since 1993, he has resided in Thailand.
The United States expressed alarm over Mr. Chambers ‘ arrest and detention and its potential effect on intellectual freedom.
The US State Department stated in a statement that this event highlights our ongoing concerns about Thailand’s use of lèse-majesté regulations. We continue to press Thai officials to uphold the right to free speech and to make sure that laws are not used to stifle free speech.
We will closely monitor this concern and support the good treatment of Paul Chambers as treaty allies of Thailand. ”
The card withdrawal, according to Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong, a scientist at Amnesty International, was intended to “intimidate” Mr. Chambers.
He told AFP that they found his work to be disturbing, so that he can no longer work there and continue his work, he said.
The withdrawal of the card is intended to inform international journalists and academics employed in Thailand that speaking about the king could have negative effects. ”