Updated on 30 May

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.

According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, the Attorney General on Thursday (29 May) concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Dr Chambers was responsible for posting the blurb or writing the article.

The website in question is hosted and operated outside the country. At the time the blurb was published, Dr Chambers had not participated in the seminar, as indicated in the blurb.

His name and image in the blurb alone were not sufficient to conclude that he created or published it. As such, the Attorney General dropped both charges under the royal defamation law (Section 112) and the Computer Crime Act.

Chambers was charged with royal defamation and violation of the Computer Crimes Act after a complaint was filed against him over a blurb on the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s website promoting a webinar, which Chambers said he did not write or publish because he is not an admin for the site.

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

Chambers reported to the police at Muang Phitsanulok Police Station on 8 April after learning that an arrest warrant had been issued for him. He was subsequently denied bail and had his visa revoked. He was detained for a night before being released on provisional bail.

Public Prosecutor Region 6’s Director General on 1 May decided not to indict US academic Dr Paul Chambers on charges of royal defamation and violation of the Computer Crimes Act. However, the case was subsequently forwarded to the Attorney General for a final decision due to contradictory opinions between the public prosecutor and Police Region 6.

It was reported that the University terminated Chambers’ employment as a university lecturer, effective 9 April – the same day Dr Chambers’s visa was revoked.

Dr Chambers later appealed the university’s decision, arguing that a university employee may only be dismissed for clear reasons with solid evidence, such as lacking required qualifications or committing a disciplinary offence. In addition, he had no chance to challenge his dismissal or clarify the circumstances.

Even though the criminal case is now concluded, its consequences linger. Dr Chambers was detained for one day and was required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet for 21 days. Most significantly, he lost his job at the University.

It is not clear whether the revocation of his visa has been cancelled.  If not, he will not be allowed to stay in the country.

Several news outlets reported that Dr Chambers left the country immediately after the ruling. An appeal of the revocation of Chambers’ Thai visa, and another contesting his firing by Naresuan University are still pending.

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”.