Thai prosecutors have decided to drop all charges, including lèse majesté and computer crime allegations, against American academic Paul Chambers, concluding a legal case that had drawn widespread international attention. The announcement was made on 6 May 2025 by the Region 6 Public Prosecutors’ Office.
According to a statement issued by Sakkasem Neesaiyok, spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney-General, the dismissal of charges aligns with recommendations from a government-appointed committee responsible for reviewing the application of Thailand’s lèse majesté law under Section 112 of the Criminal Code. Chambers, who teaches at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok province, is now set to be formally released, pending approval from the provincial court.
The Region 6 Provincial Police Bureau will also be informed of the prosecution’s decision, which effectively brings an end to legal proceedings against Chambers. His case had attracted scrutiny, particularly after the American Political Science Association (APSA) sent an open letter on 5 May 2025 to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and several US lawmakers, urging that the charges be dropped.
On the same day, the Region 6 Appeals Court ordered the removal of an electronic monitoring device from Chambers, who had been free on bail during the legal process. The original complaint, filed by the Thai army, had drawn criticism from both domestic and international human rights organisations.
Among those commenting on the case, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra suggested that the charges might have played a role in delaying recent trade discussions between Thai and US officials.
