Thailand detains well-regarded American academic for alleged lese-majeste

U.S. government 'alarmed' by arrest of Paul Chambers under kingdom's draconian law

20250408 Thai royal

A ceremony in front of a picture of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn during a celebration in Bangkok to mark the monarch's 72nd birthday in 2024. The kingdom has extremely draconian lese-majeste laws. © Reuters

DOMINIC FAULDER

BANGKOK -- Paul Chambers, a respected American university lecturer, on Tuesday became the first foreign academic to be charged under Thailand's controversial lese-majeste law.

Chambers, who has been a resident of Thailand for over 30 years, was detained after being denied bail twice on Tuesday by a Thai court. He is also facing charges of violation of the kingdom's Computer Crimes Act.

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