Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessments they have made of the potential risks for British researchers and citizens from the lèse-majesté law in Thailand in the light of the arrest of American academic Paul Chambers; and what plans they have to make adjustments to travel advice accordingly.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's travel advice for Thailand highlights the lèse-majesté law in Thailand and the potential penalty for breaking this law. We regularly review our travel advice for each country or territory to ensure it includes up-to-date information and advice on the most relevant issues for British people visiting or living there.

The UK Government regularly monitors the use of lèse-majesté and other defamation-related laws in Thailand and has raised concerns with the Thai authorities. We also regularly observe public court hearings to reinforce the importance of due process and visibly supporting and promoting the work of local human rights defenders.