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.

  • @SwampYankee@mander.xyzEnglish
    1•19 days ago

    So I read your the other guy’s edit on the original post, too, and I agree. HOWEVER, now is a time for us to stand up for principles and speak clearly about what we believe. Playing the devil’s advocate is fun, but counterproductive in a world with so many devils willing to advocate for themselves.

    Since I just realized you’re not the guy I originally responded too, I guess it all comes down to this:

    (And I won’t give you my opinion on it.)

    I’m sharing my opinion. If your opinion is the same as mine, then let’s join our voices instead of engaging in relativist masturbation. If your opinion is different, then you’re wrong and we can talk about why if you’d like.

    And to be clear, I’m a relativist, to an extent anyway.

    • @JohnnyCanuck@lemmy.caEnglish
      1•19 days ago

      I won’t give my opinion because I don’t want it to lead to me getting in any kind of trouble, if that makes you feel any better.

      But in any case, my point is you can’t project your beliefs onto others.