American in Thailand faces jail time for insulting the monarchy

A U.S. political science scholar accused by the Thai military of insulting the Southeast Asian nation’s monarchy was jailed on Tuesday pending trial.

A U.S. political science scholar accused by the Thai military of insulting the Southeast Asian nation’s monarchy — an offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison — was jailed on Tuesday pending trial.

Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University in the northern province of Phitsanulok, was first summoned by police last week to hear the charges against him, including violating the Computer Crime Act, which covers online activity.

Chambers, a 58-year-old Oklahoma native with a doctorate in political science from Northern Illinois University, has studied the power and influence of the Thai military, which plays a major role in politics. It has staged 13 coups since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, most recently 11 years ago.

The U.S. said that it was “alarmed” by Chamber’s arrest and would provide consular assistance.

The State Department wrote in a statement that “This case reinforces our longstanding concerns about the use of lèse majesté laws in Thailand. We continue to urge Thai authorities to respect freedom of expression and to ensure that laws are not used to stifle permitted expression.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/american-thailand-faces-jail-time-insulting-monarchy-rcna200362

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