Lèse majesté: US academic fights Thai university sacking
American lecturer Paul Chambers defends his case as Naresuan University ends his tenure
A US academic is challenging his dismissal from a Thai university after being sacked following a dropped lèse majesté charge.
The American national claims the termination was unlawful, lacked due process, and violated university regulations. The case has sparked debate over academic freedom and the treatment of foreign scholars in Thailand.
Chambers, a former lecturer in the Faculty of Social Science at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, was previously hit with a high-profile lèse majesté charge filed by the Internal Security Operations Command, Third Army Region.
The case stemmed from an article he wrote, which appeared on the website of the Singapore-based ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute.
Though the charge was later dropped by the Region 6 prosecutors’ office, reportedly to avoid diplomatic fallout amid Thailand–US trade talks, the controversy had already triggered a domino effect.
Chambers’ visa was cancelled, and shortly after, the university terminated his employment via two orders signed by the acting rector, who also serves as vice rector for administration.
But Chambers is fighting back.
In an appeal submitted yesterday, May 6, the academic argues the termination is illegitimate and procedurally flawed. He claims the university jumped the gun while he was still appealing the visa cancellation, which itself was based on a charge that is no longer active.
More critically, the lecturer alleges he was never given a chance to defend himself and that the university failed to establish a fact-finding committee, as required under internal regulations before disciplinary action is taken, reported Thai PBS World.
According to Chambers, the university’s own rules permit dismissal only in cases where an employee is either unqualified or has committed a disciplinary offence. He insists he has done neither.
Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post
Legal advocacy group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights is now assisting Chambers in his case, which has sparked broader concern among academic circles over freedom of expression and due process in Thai institutions.
Latest Thailand News
Follow The Thaiger on Google News:
