OU Graduate Arrested in Thailand Finally Allowed to Leave and Return Home

Paul Chambers, a University of Oklahoma graduate, was arrested in Thailand for insulting the monarchy but has now had his charges dropped and is allowed to leave the country. After a difficult prison experience and subsequent release complications, he is now reflecting on the impact of his ordeal on his life and career.

THAILAND — A University of Oklahoma alumnus, Paul Chambers, has been granted permission to leave Thailand after enduring a tumultuous ordeal that began with his arrest for allegedly insulting the monarchy. His charges have now been dropped, and he is on his way back to the U.S.

This story first came to light in April when Paul was arrested following news of a warrant for his arrest. After the charges were dismissed in May, he still faced delays in being allowed to depart. Now, everything appears to be resolved. “I am in Capri, Italy with family, relaxing after a terrible ordeal,” Paul shared.

The drama began on April 8 when Chambers voluntarily presented himself to authorities, having learned of the looming warrant. The situation took a startling turn when he understood the gravity of his predicament. “I didn’t expect that I’d be going into a Thai prison. I thought that okay, if I turn myself in, I’ll answer these charges and then maybe they’d let me go home,” he recalled.

Paul’s mother, Peggy Chambers, who is an educator at the University of Oklahoma, confessed she initially had no understanding of why her son was in such dire straits. He too was caught off guard, unsure of the accusations against him. “He just had to appear,” noted Peggy. According to authorities, Paul faced allegations of lèse-majesté, which refers to insulting the Thai monarchy, a serious offense in Thailand.

Paul expressed his shock at the allegations, saying, “I was flabbergasted. I was totally flabbergasted… I was wrongfully accused. I am totally innocent of all of this.” Living and working in Thailand since 1993, he stated he had never intended to insult the monarchy. “I love Thailand and I love the Thai people. I never thought that this could happen to me.”

Describing the prison conditions, Paul painted a grim picture of overcrowding, with 37 men crammed into a small quarantine cell. “It’s like a sardine can,” he described. He also felt endangered due to the nature of his charges, fearing for his safety amidst fellow inmates who might react violently to accusations against the king. “I was very afraid, thinking about, ‘am I going to live through this ordeal?'”

After spending a few days behind bars, Paul was eventually bailed out but was required to wear an ankle monitor. He faced potential imprisonment of up to 15 years if convicted under the Computer Crime Act, a separate threat layered on top of his already difficult situation. Paul speculated that the real motive behind his arrest might relate to his critical research on Thailand’s military.

The prosecution eventually dropped the charges against him; however, he was still barred from leaving Thailand, leaving him feeling trapped and fearful. “It was very difficult because I was afraid that I was going to be sent back to prison… no one who has charges of insulting the king is going to live through it in a Thai prison.”

Despite the rescinded charges, the Thai authorities delayed his departure for nearly two months. Paul conveyed the tension that surrounded his release, stating, “No one person wanted to be responsible for letting me go.” Ultimately, he received his passport just as he was about to board his flight, a moment he described as a surreal experience.

Now, despite his freedom, this incident has significantly disrupted his career in Thailand and strained personal relationships. “It’s devastating because it’s my career… but also my wife is in Thailand,” he lamented. Paul is concerned about her safety, indicating that she could be in danger as a result of his predicament. He plans to remain vocal about human rights abuses in Thailand but must also consider her well-being.

As he prepares to return to Oklahoma, Paul expressed gratitude toward those who supported him during his ordeal, mentioning the U.S. Ambassador, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, and others. Looking ahead, he remains committed to illuminating issues surrounding the Thai military and the regional dynamics involving China.

Paul Chambers’ journey underscores the complexities faced by foreigners navigating legal systems in countries with strict lèse-majesté laws, and the delicate balance between personal safety and professional integrity that individuals must maintain in challenging situations.

Paul Chambers has finally left Thailand after a harrowing experience following his arrest for insulting the monarchy. Although he is now in Italy, the incident has disrupted his life and career in Thailand, and he remains anxious about the safety of his wife who remains there. As he returns home, he expresses gratitude to his supporters and vows to remain critical of the Thai military’s actions moving forward.

Original Source: www.fox23.com