Earlier this month, the prominent American academic Dr. Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, Thailand, was arrested on charges of insulting the Thai monarchy (lese-majeste). In addition to causing international headlines and earning a quick response from the U.S. State Department, the arrest represents a dangerous new development in Thailand’s usage of politically motivated charges to silence criticism and dissent, but has multiple and dire consequences for the 58-year-old Chambers.
Mark Cogan
Mark S. Cogan is an Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.Categories
About Mark
Mark S. Cogan is a Associate Professor at Kansai Gaidai University based in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. He is a former communications specialist with the United Nations in Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East.