Govt spokesman Jirayu Huangsap (left). MP Kannavee Suebsang (right). Inset: US reporter Michael B. Alfaro. Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

 

The government's generous offer of an all-expense-paid weeklong stay in the Kingdom for a US reporter critical of Thailand has infuriated a Thai MP.

 

The media frenzy began after Amarin TV revealed that Michael B. Alfaro, who criticised Thailand in a now-deleted news stream, was invited by Jirayu Huangsap, a spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office.

 

Kannavee Suebsang, the FAIR Party’s sole MP, questioned the necessity and importance of inviting Alfaro, especially when Thai journalists are reportedly already responding to his remarks.

 

"This is beyond embarrassing and shows a complete lack of international political savvy," Suebsang declared, sharply criticising the government’s decision to offer such a lavish invitation.

 

Adding to the drama, it’s been confirmed that Alfaro isn’t linked to any high-profile news organisation nor the White House press corps.

 

Jirayu explained why Alfaro needed to see the border situation firsthand following his recent trip to Cambodia, which was allegedly sponsored by a public relations firm with ties to the Cambodian government. However, there are still unanswered questions regarding the reasons behind this cross-border media drama.

 

Alfaro announced his impending trip to Thailand on Facebook, saying his goal is to learn the truth about the conflict along the Thai-Cambodian border, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

He vowed to report back with his findings, even promising a briefing for US president Donald Trump. “I’ll return with my findings and brief President Trump,” Alfaro’s post read, as he sought out a point of contact to facilitate his Thai adventure.

 

The public and media outlets remain sceptical about Alfaro's ability to impact international relations, given the ambiguous nature of his reporting credentials.

 

Jirayu, however, stands by the invitation, viewing Alfaro’s presence as an opportunity to set the record straight.

 

This unfolding storyline raises questions about the intricacies of media influence and its potential impact on diplomatic relations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-08-18

 

So, if one wants to, simply make a podcast being critical of Thailand and boom, you get offered a free all expense paid luxury trip to Thailand so you will see the good side and change your story to make Thailand glow to the world. 

Hmp, I think I need to tell my kids in the US to try this. 

Be careful... section 112, defamation law, or any other law could be activated as soon as he put his foot on Thai soil

3 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Be careful... section 112, defamation law, or any other law could be activated as soon as he put his foot on Thai soil

Maybe he is being setup. Carrot on the front end dnd then the hammer upon arrival? "your on my soil son and defamation is a crime here"??? Or this could be a charm offensive?  Who really knows what is in the mind of some in LOS. I mean this dude sounds like a sefl promoting nobody who is getting is 15 mnutes in the Land of Smiles.  Presently it seems like  just about everyone has  a podcast or a Youtube channel. 

Accoding to latest updates on BKK post refused entry into kingdom. 

2 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Maybe he is being setup. Carrot on the front end dnd then the hammer upon arrival? "your on my soil son and defamation is a crime here"??? Or this could be a charm offensive?  Who really knows what is in the mind of some in LOS. I mean this dude sounds like a sefl promoting nobody who is getting is 15 mnutes in the Land of Smiles.  Presently it seems like  just about everyone has  a podcast or a Youtube channel. 

 

The Dr Paul Chambers "affair" attracted international attention, I doubt the Thai establishment wants another episode.

Kannavee Suebsang recently appeared at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand on a panel calling for "justice" for Gazans and the prosecution of Israel. He never called for justice for the 40-plus Thais murdered by Palestinians or the 30-plus Thais Palestinians took hostage and tortured. Virtually all of those Thais were poor farmers from Isan. Kannavee Suebsang is a rich Bangkok elitist who doesn't give a damn about the poor Isan farmers murdered by Palestinians. He is the only representative of the FAIR Party in parliament. Hopefully, after the next election, the FAIR Party will have no representatives in parliament.

I watched his “podcast” (if you can call it that). It was a bloke shouting into the void about how Trump and the U.S. government would leap into action the minute he “reported back” on Thailand chasing out poor Cambodians and wrapping them in barbed wire.

 

Yeah, right. Another keyboard warrior with a microphone. Big mouth, zero credibility.

 

I’m in and out of Cambodia all the time — actually heading there again this week — but I’ve lived in Thailand for years. My Thai partner flat-out refused to come with me on this trip. Can’t say I blame her.

 

And this border clash?

Nobody — and I mean nobody — outside the ones who gave the order knows who fired first. Yet half the internet is suddenly an “expert” after five minutes on Facebook.

 

My stock reply: “Sad for the people on both sides, and hopefully sorted soon.” That’s it. No drama, no fairy tales.

3 minutes ago, JMonroe said:

Kannavee Suebsang recently appeared at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand on a panel calling for "justice" for Gazans and the prosecution of Israel. He never called for justice for the 40-plus Thais murdered by Palestinians or the 30-plus Thais Palestinians took hostage and tortured. Virtually all of those Thais were poor farmers from Isan. Kannavee Suebsang is a rich Bangkok elitist who doesn't give a damn about the poor Isan farmers murdered by Palestinians. He is the only representative of the FAIR Party in parliament. Hopefully, after the next election, the FAIR Party will have no representatives in parliament.

 

Agreed,,

 

But as we all know, empty vessels make the most noise!

 

The sooner we can find a suitable replacement for the word ' elite', the better, because these scumbags who speak with authority but no experience in government parliaments and senates across the world are anything but elite.

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Alfaro announced his impending trip to Thailand on Facebook, saying his goal is to learn the truth about the conflict along the Thai-Cambodian border, reported Thai Newsroom.

Famous in his own lunch-break.... 

5 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

 

The Dr Paul Chambers "affair" attracted international attention, I doubt the Thai establishment wants another episode.

He looks and sounds like a lobbyist in DC:  capitalhillandfriends.com  Any firm that starts with the term Public Relations in DC is a lobbyist.  He got his 15 minutes in LOS so  I guess he can walk back to Cambodia.  I wonder if a junior staff member in the MOD or MOI was tasked ot vefify his crendentials or not?  

This bunch are getting worse than the CCCP!

Funny how discretionary the media here is about its' frenzies.

 

Conflationary non entity gets a headline, whereas an errant soldier who shoots 2 civilians before offing himself gets nothing...

...Sounds Like Yet Another Media Stunt...(?)

 

...Or A Further, An Attempted More Complicated, Media Stunt...(?)

 

...Regardless, Shouldn't Such A 'Gift' Be Categorized As 'Attempting To Buy The Media' (?)

 

...Nothing Innocent About It...(?)

 

...Surely Some 'Warped Mastermind' Behind This Stunt Too...(?)

 

11 hours ago, webfact said:

This unfolding storyline raises questions about the intricacies of media influence and its potential impact on diplomatic relations.

More so, it raises questions about the gullibility of "Jirayu Huangsap, a spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office".

Quote

Jirayu, however, stands by the invitation, viewing Alfaro’s presence as an opportunity to set the record straight. 

Dude, you have been scammed. Stop digging that hole.

Stop calling him a reporter. He's a professional lobbyist and owns a PR firm. That's it. He's absolutely not a journalist. On top of that, his wife is half Cambodian. He's a disgrace fueled by Cambodian propaganda.

The whole Thai political establishment hasn't got a satang of political savvy or savvy for international affairs 

Weird story. So he's a spin guy - not an accredited journalist (for any publication? not just White House?

 

Many of the above posts are too harsh. The government invited him then, during due diligence, realized he's a faker, and rescinded the offer to come to Thailand. The Bangkok Post report says it that way - nothing about being turned away at the border or airports. Yes, they should have checked him out first though.

 

So who IS he working for? Is he and his new PR company being subcontracted by some big shady spin firm working for Cambodia (e.g. Hill and Knowlton, or the like)?

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Famous in his own lunch-break.... 

This 'dispute' has been in 'process' for many many decades with much discussion but even never close to any resolution of the quite complex argument whether the temple is owned by Thailand or Cambodia, as shown on ancient French maps.

 

I can't see that this 'dispute' will ever be resolved, therefore both countries need to accept the status quo along with some 'strong rules' re how anybody can step foot on the temple area, must be totally unarmed and with acceptance (under perhaps a UN document) that fighting / gunfire over it is totally not allowed and the document endorsed by both the royal processes of both countries and by specific mention in the civil law in both countries.  

15 hours ago, webfact said:

Govt spokesman Jirayu Huangsap (left). MP Kannavee Suebsang (right). Inset: US reporter Michael B. Alfaro. Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

 

The government's generous offer of an all-expense-paid weeklong stay in the Kingdom for a US reporter critical of Thailand has infuriated a Thai MP.

 

The media frenzy began after Amarin TV revealed that Michael B. Alfaro, who criticised Thailand in a now-deleted news stream, was invited by Jirayu Huangsap, a spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office.

 

Kannavee Suebsang, the FAIR Party’s sole MP, questioned the necessity and importance of inviting Alfaro, especially when Thai journalists are reportedly already responding to his remarks.

 

"This is beyond embarrassing and shows a complete lack of international political savvy," Suebsang declared, sharply criticising the government’s decision to offer such a lavish invitation.

 

Adding to the drama, it’s been confirmed that Alfaro isn’t linked to any high-profile news organisation nor the White House press corps.

 

Jirayu explained why Alfaro needed to see the border situation firsthand following his recent trip to Cambodia, which was allegedly sponsored by a public relations firm with ties to the Cambodian government. However, there are still unanswered questions regarding the reasons behind this cross-border media drama.

 

Alfaro announced his impending trip to Thailand on Facebook, saying his goal is to learn the truth about the conflict along the Thai-Cambodian border, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

He vowed to report back with his findings, even promising a briefing for US president Donald Trump. “I’ll return with my findings and brief President Trump,” Alfaro’s post read, as he sought out a point of contact to facilitate his Thai adventure.

 

The public and media outlets remain sceptical about Alfaro's ability to impact international relations, given the ambiguous nature of his reporting credentials.

 

Jirayu, however, stands by the invitation, viewing Alfaro’s presence as an opportunity to set the record straight.

 

This unfolding storyline raises questions about the intricacies of media influence and its potential impact on diplomatic relations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-08-18

 

It might be more productiove to invite a bona fide journalist from New York Times or Wall Street Journal.

35 minutes ago, placnx said:

It might be more productiove to invite a bona fide journalist from New York Times or Wall Street Journal.

Apparently they (Thai) had already arranged to take mainstream media to the border areas this month to show them the damage they say was caused by Cambodia heavy weapons. So they invited this guy to join that later this month. Then they found out he's a faker and canceled the invitation to him.

16 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Be careful... section 112, defamation law, or any other law could be activated as soon as he put his foot on Thai soil

Just need someone to make a report