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.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) said that the Faculty was notified by Pol Col Watcharaphong Sitthirungrot, Superintendent of Muuang Phitsanulok Police Station, this morning (4 April) that the 3^rd Army Area is pressing charges against Chambers for royal defamation and importing into a computer system information that affects national security under the Computer Crimes Act, and that an arrest warrant was issued for him on 31 March. He has never received a police summons.

TLHR lawyer Wannaphat Jenroumjit said that the police notified the University this morning that they were arresting Chambers, but the University management requested that the police allow him to report to the police himself next Tuesday (8 April).

An American political scientist, Chambers’ research focuses on civil-military relations in Southeast Asia, particularly the role and influence of the military in Thailand. He has also written on the relationship between the military and the monarchy. He now serves as a lecturer at the Center of ASEAN Community Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University. His notable works include “Praetorian Kingdom: A History of Military Ascendancy in Thailand” and “Khaki Capital: The Political Economy of the Military in Southeast Asia”.

112Watch issued a statement today (4 April) condemning Chambers’ arrest and urging the Thai government to uphold academic freedom and prevent the politicization of the royal defamation law.