The Thai army has checked American political lobbyist Michael B. Alfaro’s profile and discovered that he is not a White House reporter, as claimed, nor is he affiliated with or accredited by any credible media organisation, said Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Command Centre, today.
Moreover, the information Alfaro spread regarding the Thai-Cambodian border dispute was unsubstantiated and reflected only his personal opinion, he added.
“Thailand adheres to universal principles of peaceful coexistence, but will not allow false information, distortion, or any provocation to undermine the nation’s dignity. Should false information be repeatedly disseminated or in a manner that threatens national security, we will strictly and fully take action within the framework of the law and international cooperation mechanisms,” Surasant said.
Meanwhile, government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap has abruptly withdrawn his plan to invite Alfaro to Thailand and escort him on an inspection tour of the Thai-Cambodian border.
Jirayu explained that, when he extended the invitation, he believed Alfaro was an accredited journalist who could observe what was really happening on the Thai side and report accurately.
“After examining related information and realising that he is not a journalist, as I initially thought, I do not want to talk about the issue anymore,” Jirayu told a PPTV reporter.
Alfaro drew attention in Thailand after he livestreamed reports from Cambodia portraying the country in a negative light amid the recent armed conflict.
He was allegedly hired by a Cambodian company to promote Cambodia’s position in the border dispute. He reportedly met with Cambodian ministers and visited areas opposite Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaeo province and opposite Chong An Ma in Ubon Ratchathani, where he live-streamed reports on the situation.
In a Facebook post late Saturday night, Alfaro said he had received an invitation from the Thai government to hear Thailand’s side of the dispute. “As a reporter, it is my duty to present the truth about the border conflict from both sides to the US and the world,” he wrote.
He also claimed that, after meeting Thai officials, he would report directly to US President Donald Trump so that the president would have accurate information in efforts to restore sustainable peace between Thailand and Cambodia.
