The Thai military has been intruding into civilian affairs, says US academic Dr Paul Chambers, who had returned to the US after being charged with royal defamation in April 2025. It is likely to become more autonomous under the new government, led by Anutin Charnvirakul.

Lawyers representing US academic Dr Paul Chambers filed an administrative lawsuit on Thursday (4 September) over the revocation of Chambers’ visa, seeking over 3.6. million baht in damages.

The Thai Attorney General has dropped a royal defamation charge against US academic Dr Paul Chambers, who was charged over a blurb on the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s website promoting a webinar. However, despite this, the charge has already jeopardised his work as a lecturer at Naresuan University, with his employment now terminated.

The public prosecutor has decided not to indict US academic Dr Paul Chambers on charges of royal defamation and violation of the Computer Crimes Act.

The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has answered questions about its royal defamation complaint against the US academic Dr Paul Chambers over a blurb on the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute website.

American academic Dr Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University’s Faculty of Social Sciences who was charged with royal defamation, has been granted provisional bail, with 600,000 baht as security. He was required to wear an electronic monitoring device.

The US Department of State is "alarmed" by the Thai authorities' arrest of US academic Dr Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University's Faculty of Social Sciences, said department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.

The Phitsanulok Provincial Court today (8 April) denied bail for Dr Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University’s Faculty of Social Sciences, who was charged with royal defamation and violation of the Computer Crimes Act. He will be detained while his lawyers appeal the Court’s decision.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Dr Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University’s Faculty of Social Sciences, after a royal defamation complaint was filed against him by the Army.

<p>The Thai monarchy&rsquo;s influence and role in politics have for decades been debated in academic circles and on the street. Under the current reign, the focus of analysis has shifted from the old network to a new one that is gradually becoming clearer - the military.</p>

<p>Recent visits from the US Secretary of State and Secretary of Defence mark a shift in US-Thai relations as the Biden administration seeks re-engagement with its longtime ally amidst increased US-China competition and heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.</p>