The kingdom’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (pic) has downplayed speculation that a rare royal insult charge against an American academic derailed talks with Washington aimed at softening the blow from a threatened 36% levy on its exports.
The lese majeste charge earlier this month against Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University in northern Phitsanulok province, was cited by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as one of the likely reasons for the Thai-US tariff talks – previously set for April 23 – being deferred indefinitely.
