Deported US academic Paul Chambers fears return to Thailand

Diplomats and lawyers urged his departure to preempt new charges

20250611 Thai Chambers

U.S. academic Paul Chambers, right, relaxes with his family on holiday after being deported from Thailand last month. (Photo provided by Paul Chambers)

DOMINIC FAULDER

BANGKOK -- Paul Chambers, an American academic charged under Thailand's draconian law of lese-majeste in April, said he fled the kingdom on U.S. embassy advice when it became apparent that he was in danger of facing further charges despite the first being dismissed by the attorney general's office.

"My lawyers and the U.S. Embassy people realized that there were certain elements -- right-wing elements -- that wanted this decision to be reversed somehow or wanted to bring up new charges against me," Chambers told Nikkei Asia.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.