Trade talks stall over bailed scholar

Criminal investigations against certain Americans in Thailand were one of the factors behind the postponement of tariff talks between the Thai and US governments, says former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

- AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

The de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party had previously offered to assist the negotiations by conducting informal talks with close associates of US President Donald Trump.

And asked yesterday about his previous pledge, Thaksin said: "We have talked. But unfortunately, they [the US] are now acting on information supplied by various organisations about lawsuits against a number of American citizens."

Although Thaksin did not disclose details about these cases, one is likely to be the charges filed recently filed against an American academic.

On April 8, Paul Chambers, a lecturer and special adviser on international affairs at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, reported to police to acknowledge a charge of royal defamation after a complaint was filed over an online lecture Mr Chambers gave in October last year about the military reshuffle.

Mr Chambers has been granted bail while he awaits trial but still faces the threat of having his visa to remain in Thailand revoked.