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.

The House of Representatives Committee on the Armed Forces convened a meeting on 24 April to examine the complaint which had been filed by ISOC Region 3 against Dr. Chambers. Attending the session were representatives from ISOC, the Faculty of Social Sciences at Naresuan University, and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

The complaint against Dr Chambers was filed by Maj Gen Chaidaen Kritsanasuwan, Deputy Director of ISOC Region 3, on behalf of the Director.

Col Wiraphong Chaiwong, Director of ISOC Region 3’s Intelligence Division, explained that the complaint was based on a Facebook post “Does Naresuan University hire Paul Chambers to destroy the monarchy?” by a self-styled independent academic, Atsadang Yommanak

Col Wiraphong said that ISOC issued two letters to the University requesting an investigation into the matter. ISOC also believed that Dr. Chambers may have interpreted the situation based on his personal bias and disseminated information potentially harmful to the monarchy. ISOC filed the complaint on 27 February.

In response to concerns over ISOC’s authority to file a complaint, Wiraphong cited the Internal Security Act, which allows the ISOC to monitor, investigate, and assess activities that may pose a threat to national security and report them to the Cabinet for further consideration. He also referred to Section 8 of the 2008 Ministry of Defence Organization Act, even though ISOC is under the Prime Minister’s Office and not the Ministry.

Dr Napisa Waitoolkiat, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University, revealed that the evidence used in ISOC complaint was a single document published on the ISEAS website. Its content was to promote an event where Dr. Chambers was invited to speak.

Dr Chambers denied any involvement in posting the document, stating that he was neither its author nor an administrator of the website. The Dean pointed out that the document uses the pronoun “he”, referring to a third party, rather than “I”.

Dr Napisa said that after receiving the two letters from ISOC, the University provided clarification about Dr Chambers and the website in question.

Despite living in Thailand since 1993 without any prior criminal record, Dr Chambers was denied bail, as the judge said he was charged with a serious offence and is a foreign national and therefore a flight risk. No additional evidence was taken into account.

Dr Chambers’ academic work focuses on the military, raising questions about how it could be related to a charge under the royal defamation law. Dr Napisa remarked that this prosecution has sparked concerns over academic freedom as well as human rights.

Although after an appeal, he was granted bail, he is required to wear an electronic monitoring device on his ankle. His visa was also revoked by the Immigration Bureau.

The Committee resolved to proceed with Dr Chambers’ case as follows:

1. Submit a letter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission requesting an investigation into all agencies involved, especially the police, as the matter may involve misconduct or corruption in the failure to thoroughly examine the evidence and review whether ISOC had the legal authority to file the complaint.
2. Submit a letter to the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, urging a review of the procedures for accepting royal defamation complaints and the processes concerning visa revocation.
3. Submit a letter to the Prime Minister, as the Director of ISOC, requesting a review of ISOC’s authority.