Wed Apr 09 17:00:00 UTC 2025: ## American Professor Arrested in Thailand, Faces 15 Years Under Lese-Majeste Law
**Chiang Mai, Thailand** – Paul Chambers, a 58-year-old American political science lecturer at Naresuan University, has been arrested in Thailand and faces up to 15 years in prison under the country’s strict lese-majeste law. Chambers, who holds a PhD and has taught in Thailand for over a decade, was arrested Tuesday and denied bail following charges related to insulting the monarchy and violating the Computer Crime Act.
The arrest has sparked international concern. The US State Department expressed alarm, criticizing Thailand’s use of the lese-majeste law (Article 112) and calling for respect for freedom of expression. Scholars at Risk, a US-based academic freedom group, suggests the charges stem from comments made during a 2024 webinar discussing military restructuring. Chambers’ wife, Napisa Waitoolkiat, denies the evidence used against him accurately reflects his words, stating that authorities relied on a description from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, which hosted the event. She suggests the charges are an attempt to deter his research on the Thai military’s economic influence.
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights attributes the denial of bail to the severity of the potential punishment, Chambers’ foreign nationality, and police objections. The organization reports over 270 people have been charged under Article 112 since 2020, raising concerns about its use to silence dissent. While a trial date hasn’t been set, Chambers’ legal team plans to appeal the bail denial on Wednesday. The case highlights the ongoing tension between freedom of expression and the application of Thailand’s controversial lese-majeste law.
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