Thai authorities have barred entry to an American man who falsely claimed to be a White House correspondent, citing concerns about disinformation during sensitive border discussions with Cambodia.
The individual, identified as Michael B. Alfaro, drew attention after livestreaming from the Cambodia–Thailand border. In his broadcast, Alfaro accused Thai forces of blocking Cambodian villagers from accessing parts of the border region. The video quickly stirred controversy before being restricted online.
Alfaro described himself as both a journalist and an intelligence specialist “working from the White House.” His claims prompted Thai officials to initially consider inviting him to observe the border situation. However, after further investigation, they determined that Alfaro held no press credentials and was not affiliated with any recognized news organization.
Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Ad Hoc Centre on Thailand–Cambodia Border Situation, confirmed that Alfaro’s background check showed no evidence of him being a White House correspondent. “Investigations showed Michael B. Alfaro lacks recognized journalist status. His statements have no credibility and could mislead the public,” Kongsiri said. He stressed that Thailand remains committed to fighting the spread of misinformation, especially when it involves sensitive issues of national security.
Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub admitted that Thai officials initially treated Alfaro as a legitimate journalist, but the invitation was later rescinded once his credentials were disproven. “Now we know he is not genuine media; his invitation is off the table. He will not be allowed to enter Thailand,” Houngsub told reporters.
Further checks revealed that Alfaro leads a company called Capitol Hill & Friends, a Washington, D.C.–based public relations firm he founded earlier this year. The firm has no links to any news outlets, underscoring the lack of credibility behind his media claims.
Chayika Wongnapachant, an adviser to Thailand’s foreign minister, also criticized Alfaro, stating that his unproven claims amounted to the spread of falsehoods. She emphasized that irresponsible statements such as these can undermine ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
The Thai government has firmly denied Alfaro’s allegations, stressing that it has not violated Cambodian sovereignty. “Thailand has not crossed into a foreign land. International observers should trust verified facts,” Kongsiri said, warning that those who spread disinformation related to national security may face legal consequences.
The controversy sparked online debate, with social media users on X (formerly Twitter) backing the Thai government’s findings. Several noted that Alfaro was acting more as a lobbyist than a journalist, with speculation that he might be aligning himself with Cambodian interests.
This episode highlights the risks of unverified claims spreading online, particularly during tense diplomatic moments. Thai officials urged both the media and the public to fact-check sources before sharing information, noting that careless amplification of falsehoods could inflame regional tensions.
As Thailand continues negotiations with Cambodia over border issues, officials say they remain focused on maintaining peace and stability—while ensuring the country’s credibility is protected against misinformation campaigns.
