The US Department of State is "alarmed" by the Thai authorities' arrest of US academic Dr Paul Chambers, said department spokesperson Tammy Bruce in a statement issued today (9 April), and is closely monitoring the situation.
"The U.S. Department of State takes its responsibility to assist U.S. citizens abroad seriously, and we are in communication with Thai authorities regarding this case," said Bruce, noting that the US Embassy is providing consular assistance to Chambers and have requested access to him to ensure his well-being and to provide any necessary support.
The statement also said that Chambers' arrest "reinforces our longstanding concerns" about the use of the royal defamation law.
"We continue to urge Thai authorities to respect freedom of expression and to ensure that laws are not used to stifle permitted expression. As a treaty ally of Thailand, we will closely monitor this issue and advocate for the fair treatment of Paul Chambers," said the statement.
Chambers was denied bail yesterday (8 April) after he reported to the police in Phitsanulok to hear charges of royal defamation and violation of the Computer Crimes Act. He is now detained at the Phitsanulok Central Prison while his lawyers plan to appeal the Phitsanulok Provincial Court's decision to reject his bail request.
The 3rd Army Area filed a complaint against Chambers over a blurb on the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s website announcing a webinar which took place in October 2024 and introducing the participants, including Chambers who gave a lecture on the Thai military. Chambers said that he did not write or publish the blurb because he is not an admin for the site.
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”.
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