US scholar based in Thailand challenges 'unlawful' termination of employment

America's Paul Chambers Stirs Controversy: Employment Termination, Visa Woes, and Lese-Majeste Charges in Thailand

Things haven't been smooth sailing for American academic Paul Chambers, residing in Thailand since '93. His recent brush with the law marked by lese-majeste charges, visa revocation, and employment termination by Naresuan University, have thrown a wrench in his future plans.

But before we dive in, let's cut through the jargon. Lese-majeste is a Thai law that punishes defaming, insulting, or threatening the King, Queen, or members of the royal family—a bit of a hot political button in Thailand.

Paul Chambers found himself in the midst of a lese-majeste case, yet prosecutors decided not to indict him since the complainants' case lacked grounds. This technicality, however, hasn't seemed to secure his future in Thailand. His visa was revoked shortly after the charges surfaced, putting his teaching job at risk, as a terminated contract would automatically lead to a cancelled work permit.

Who's Paul Chambers, you ask? Well, he's a familiar face in academic circles, particularly in discussions revolving around civil-military relations and democracy in Asia. With a primary focus on Thailand, he's often praised as a skilled commentator in this field.

Assoc Prof Panu Bhuddhawong, Vice President for Administration at Naresuan University, wielded the ax to terminate Chambers' employment, retroactively effective from the day his visa was revoked. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) questioned the legality of this action, pointing out that Panu did not possess the authority to end employment contracts.

Given the circumstances, Chambers was denied the chance to defend himself. University regulations typically only permit termination in cases of serious misconduct, failure to meet qualifications, or unsatisfactory performance—none of which applied to Chambers, according to TLHR. The vice-rector should have formed a committee to investigate the employee before taking action, the lawyers' group asserted.

Chambers' contract contained conditions such as passing a job evaluation and providing three months' notice for termination, neither of which were adhered to in this case. This decision to fire him is now being challenged.

The academic's predicament stemmed from a webinar on Thailand's military and police reshuffles organized by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. Chambers, an eminent expert in this topic, was among the speakers, but he claimed to have neither authored nor published the content, which was later taken down from the Institute's website.

Although the charges have been threatening his academic career and personal liberty, the court recently returned Chambers' passport upon dismissal of the indictment. However, immigration officials in Phitsanulok have seized it again due to a pending review of his status. If they deem the visa revocation valid, Chambers may find himself departing from Thailand.

The US State Department has voiced concerns over Paul Chambers' arrest and detention, and Human Rights Watch has called for his immediate release, expressing fears over academic freedom and free speech in Thailand. Keep an eye on this developing story.

Enrichment Data, Briefly:

Paul Chambers, a renowned academic, is being challenged for employment termination at Naresuan University and faces visa woes following lese-majeste charges in Thailand.
University regulations dictate that termination should only happen in cases of serious misconduct or failure to meet qualifications, neither of which applied to Chambers.
Chambers was granted bail of 300,000 baht and must report monthly to immigration authorities. If found guilty, he may face deportation.

Despite having resided in Thailand since 1993, American academic Paul Chambers faces difficulties, inclining towards visa revocation, employment termination, and previous lese-majeste charges.
The removal of Paul Chambers from Naresuan University, a decision made by Assoc Prof Panu Bhuddhawong, Vice President for Administration, is under legal scrutiny due to the absence of severe misconduct or failing to meet qualifications within Chambers' tenure.
The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) have brought attention to the irregularity of Chambers' termination, asserting that Panu lacked the authority to dissolve employment contracts without an investigation.
American academic Paul Chambers' predicament stems from a webinar on Thailand's military and police reshuffles, despite him neither authoring nor publishing the content, which later got taken down from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute's website.