US academic arrested in Thailand for insulting monarchy – DW – 04/08/2025
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Thailand has one of the world's strictest laws against criticizing the country's powerful monarchy. Foreigners are very rarely charged under the law, which prescribes up to 15 years in prison for those found guilty.

Summary

Thai police arrested US academic Paul Chambers on charges of insulting the monarchy and violating computer crime laws, linked to remarks made during an online seminar.

Chambers, a political science professor at Naresuan University, was summoned after a complaint by the Thai Army.

He denied the charges and was denied bail, with no trial date set. Thailand enforces strict lèse-majesté laws under Article 112, carrying up to 15 years in prison.

  • null_dot@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    84·
    11 days ago

    Sure but if you go to Thailand and do it you’ll go to jail. It’s well known. If you don’t like it don’t go to Thailand.

    Also, while I’m not defending the law, Thais are extremely reverent to their royal family. It’s part of their cultural identity. It’s not like Britain or something where the royals are merely tolerated.

    • Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.worldEnglish
      25·
      11 days ago

      It’s such a shame when people downvote factual things, simply because they don’t like to hear them.

      In this case it’s especially poignant, since the topic is about a person that censors and/or punishes people who say things they don’t like.

      • null_dot@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        53·
        11 days ago

        Meh. I think I have a personal downvoter that downvotes everything I say on principle. No biggie.

        • Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.worldEnglish
          24·
          11 days ago

          I’ve heard that from others (and thought that) before, too. But I’ve come to believe there are simply some sad, little trolls on here that are either too cowardly or lazy to comment. It’s pathetic.