Paul Chambers awaits trial on charges under Thailand’s Lese-Majeste law, which could lead to up to 15 years of prison.
His lawyers say Paul Chambers, an American lecturer at Nareshuan University in Thailand, has been arrested on charges of breaking Thailand’s strict royal defamation laws.
The 58-year-old scholar with more than a decade of education in Thailand recorded 300,000 baht ($8,800) for his release, his lawyer said on Thursday, two days after being detained in Fitanulok province. No trial dates are set.
The incident is a rare example of foreign fouls falling into strict decades-old laws to protect royal families led by King Maha Vajralongkorn from criticism. Critics say laws that could lead to up to 15 years of prison are being used to silence objections.
Chambers was in custody late Wednesday evening, but his lawyers negotiated with immigration authorities about his visa status.
“His legal team is planning to appeal the revocation of the visa,” said Thai attorney, a human rights group representing Chambers in a post early Thursday in X.
Wannaphat Jenroumjit, the group’s lawyer, said he expects to hear the outcome of Chambers’ appeal by Friday.
He will not be deported until the court process is complete, immigration officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity as they are not permitted to speak to the media.
Chambers was taken into custody Tuesday after reporting to authorities to answer complaints filed by the Army. As a result, the Immigration Bureau cancelled his visa.
The Thai military filed a complaint against him earlier this year about online promotion of a podcast hosted by the think tank website, which focuses on Southeast Asian politics.
Chanathip Tatiyakarongwon, a researcher at Amnesty International, who is campaigning for the release of political prisoners, said the revocation of the visa was intended to be “threatening.”
“The lapse of visas is intended to send messages to foreign journalists and academics working in Thailand, and talking about the monarchy could lead to consequences,” he told AFP News Agency.
In the US, the State Department has expressed vigilance about arrests, strengthening long-standing concerns about Thailand’s use of the Thai Race Majeste Act, urging authorities to “respect freedom of expression and prevent the law from being used to suppress permitted expression.”
International Watchdogs also express concern to academics, activists and even students about the use of the law known as Article 112.
One man from northern Thailand was jailed for at least 50 years in Lese-Majeste last year, and in 2021 the woman was 43 years.
In 2023, the man was jailed for two years after selling a satirical calendar featuring rubber ducks that the court said had slandered the king.
Efforts have been made to reform the law, but the Thai courts have found that they violate the country’s constitution.
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