"One Wrong Word" Sparks US Controversy, Risking Arrest and Diplomatic Tensions...

Lese-Majeste Law in Thailand
Unusually Strict Application to Foreigners
Party Seeking Reform Dissolved

The King and Queen Rama X of Thailand participating in the royal barge procession to celebrate King Rama X's 72nd birthday last October. Photo by AP Yonhap News

The Thai government is embroiled in diplomatic tensions with the United States after arresting an American professor during a lecture at a university on charges of lese-majeste. The strict application of lese-majeste laws to foreigners is unusual, sparking intense controversy both inside and outside Thailand. Although there had been movements within Thai politics to amend the lese-majeste law due to concerns over its abuse, the party pushing for the reform was dissolved, causing the amendment discussions to stall.

American Professor Arrested for Lese-Majeste While Lecturing at Thai University

King Rama X of Thailand is saluting the honor guard during the Royal Guard military parade held in December last year. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

Recent reports from U.S. media outlets such as CNN have highlighted the arrest of Paul Chambers, an American lecturer at Naresuan University in Thailand, on charges of lese-majeste and violations of the Computer Crime Act. Although he denied the allegations immediately after the arrest warrant was issued, he was detained by Thai police and reportedly denied bail.

The specific charges against Professor Chambers have not yet been disclosed. However, his legal team believes the issue arose from remarks he made about the Thai monarchy during a seminar where he was discussing the Thai military and police. At that time, Professor Chambers pointed out that "the Thai king did not properly exercise his authority to reorganize the military or appoint senior national security officials," which is suspected to have triggered the lese-majeste charge.

The U.S. State Department has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement, "We are in communication with Thai authorities regarding this case," adding, "We are closely watching the matter and have requested access to Professor Chambers from Thai officials."

In Thailand, lese-majeste is considered a serious crime. Article 112 of the Penal Code stipulates that anyone who defames or threatens the king, queen, crown prince, or others can be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 3 to 15 years per offense. In January last year, a Thai man was arrested for posting multiple criticisms of the Thai monarchy on social media and was sentenced to a total of 50 years in prison for 11 lese-majeste charges.

However, in cases involving foreigners, Thailand generally responds by deporting the individual to avoid diplomatic conflicts. In 2011, a Thai-American named Joe Gordon was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison for lese-majeste against King Rama IX, the father of the current King Rama X, but was released after a royal pardon and subsequently deported.

Party Seeking to Amend Lese-Majeste Law Also Dissolved: "Undermining Constitutional Monarchy"

Photo of Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), which was dissolved last August following an attempt to amend the royal defamation law and a dissolution order by the Constitutional Court of Thailand. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Within Thai politics, there have been calls to amend the lese-majeste law due to its vague scope and its abuse as a tool to eliminate political opponents. However, the party advocating for reform was dissolved. In 2023, the Move Forward Party (MFP), which was the largest party in the Thai parliament, was dissolved by order of the Constitutional Court of Thailand.

The Move Forward Party ran on a platform that included pushing for amendments to the lese-majeste law during the May 2023 general election, gaining support from young voters in their 20s and 30s and becoming the leading party. However, in March 2024, the Thai Election Commission filed a petition with the Constitutional Court to dissolve the party, citing evidence that the party’s push to amend the lese-majeste law "undermined the constitutional monarchy and the democratic system of Thailand." In August of the same year, the Constitutional Court ordered the party’s dissolution.

Along with the dissolution order, the court banned 11 party leaders, including then-party leader MP Pita Limjaroenrat, from political activities for 10 years. Ultimately, 143 former Move Forward Party members formed a new party called the Thai Citizens Party (PP) and changed their affiliation. After experiencing the party dissolution, the Citizens Party shifted its stance, stating it would pursue amendments to the lese-majeste law gradually.