A severe statute prohibiting defaming the king led to the detention of an American scholar last month, but Thai prosecutors have stated they would not press charges against him. Following an army report, Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University, was taken into custody.
Prosecutors announced Thursday that they will ask for the charges against him to be dismissed, but the police must first consider this. If they can’t agree, the attorney general will make the choice.
The lese-majeste legislation, which the government claims is required to safeguard the monarchy but which critics claim is being exploited to stifle free expression, was seldom used to a foreigner before Mr. Chambers was arrested.
The Office of the Attorney-General stated that the director-general had decided not to indict the suspect and that prosecutors would work with police to get the case dismissed in court.
Thirty years ago, Mr. Chambers moved to Thailand to live and work. More recently, he has taught and researched at Naresuan University in northern Thailand. He is among the leading authorities on the Thai military worldwide.
The case against him relies on a notice regarding Thailand’s police and military reshuffles posted for an academic webinar hosted by a Singapore research institution. Mr. Chambers was one of the presenters during the week.
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