BANGKOK, April 8 (Reuters) – An American academic, Paul Chambers, was arrested in Thailand on Tuesday after being charged with insulting the monarchy, marking a rare prosecution of a foreigner under the country’s stringent lese-majeste laws.
Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University in northern Thailand, voluntarily reported to a police precinct in Phitsanulok after a warrant for his arrest was issued last week. The charges stemmed from a complaint filed by the army. Under Section 112 of Thailand’s penal code, anyone found guilty of defaming, insulting, or threatening the monarchy, including the king, queen, heir apparent, or regent, faces imprisonment from three to 15 years.
“He came to acknowledge the two charges, including a violation of Section 112,” a police officer from Phitsanulok said, requesting anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
In addition to the lese-majeste charges, Chambers was also charged with a computer crime violation. His lawyer, Wannaphat Jenroumjit, explained that the accusations arose from a blurb posted online about an academic seminar last year, where Chambers was a speaker. The blurb appeared on a website of a research institute based outside of Thailand.
The case has drawn attention as it highlights the continued use of Thailand’s lese-majeste laws, which have been heavily criticized for restricting freedom of speech and expression. Chambers’ arrest marks the latest example of the law being enforced against foreigners.
