(Bangkok, 8th) Although not formally prosecuted for offending the Thai monarch, American scholar Paul Chambers was dismissed by Thailand's Naresuan University. In response, he criticized the university for not following due process and has filed an appeal.
Chambers, a military affairs expert who has lived in Thailand for over 30 years, has recently taught at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok Province, Northern Thailand. Last year, he sparked controversy for giving an academic lecture in Singapore involving the Thai royal family, which led to his arrest, although he was not formally charged.
According to the 'Bangkok Post', the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights organization released a statement on Wednesday (May 7), stating that the university's Vice President for Administration, Panu Bhuddhawong, acting as interim president, signed two dismissal notices on April 21 and 24, effective retroactively from April 9, the day Chambers' visa was revoked.
The organization emphasized that the interim president does not have the authority to dismiss employees. According to university personnel regulations, dismissal can only occur in cases of serious misconduct or unqualified personnel. As per Chambers' contract terms, any dismissal decision must be communicated to the individual three months in advance.
The statement criticized the university for violating procedures, as they neither provided a reasonable explanation nor gave Chambers an opportunity to defend himself, thus rendering the procedure unfair.
The incident dates back to last October when Chambers was invited to speak at the Yusof Ishak Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. The Thai military was dissatisfied with the wording of the invitation, considering it an insult to the Thai royal family, and reported it to the police. In April this year, the police arrested him for violating the royal insult law and the cybercrime law.
The incident has attracted international attention and is seen as a potential obstacle to the US-Thailand tariff negotiations. On May 1, the Office of the Attorney General of Thailand issued a statement declaring that no charges will be filed against Chambers.
Despite this, the Thai Immigration Bureau still holds his passport, and if the Bureau insists on revoking his visa, he may still face deportation.
Chambers, a military affairs expert who has lived in Thailand for over 30 years, has recently taught at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok Province, Northern Thailand. Last year, he sparked controversy for giving an academic lecture in Singapore involving the Thai royal family, which led to his arrest, although he was not formally charged.
According to the 'Bangkok Post', the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights organization released a statement on Wednesday (May 7), stating that the university's Vice President for Administration, Panu Bhuddhawong, acting as interim president, signed two dismissal notices on April 21 and 24, effective retroactively from April 9, the day Chambers' visa was revoked.
The organization emphasized that the interim president does not have the authority to dismiss employees. According to university personnel regulations, dismissal can only occur in cases of serious misconduct or unqualified personnel. As per Chambers' contract terms, any dismissal decision must be communicated to the individual three months in advance.
The statement criticized the university for violating procedures, as they neither provided a reasonable explanation nor gave Chambers an opportunity to defend himself, thus rendering the procedure unfair.
The incident dates back to last October when Chambers was invited to speak at the Yusof Ishak Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. The Thai military was dissatisfied with the wording of the invitation, considering it an insult to the Thai royal family, and reported it to the police. In April this year, the police arrested him for violating the royal insult law and the cybercrime law.
The incident has attracted international attention and is seen as a potential obstacle to the US-Thailand tariff negotiations. On May 1, the Office of the Attorney General of Thailand issued a statement declaring that no charges will be filed against Chambers.
Despite this, the Thai Immigration Bureau still holds his passport, and if the Bureau insists on revoking his visa, he may still face deportation.