Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are getting into some really odd waters here kind of legally, immigration wise and as it pertains to this Thai-Cambodian dispute, which has seemingly seemed to have settled down; the ceasefire seems to be sticking at the moment. 

That said, I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Bangkok Post, bangkokpost.com, 'Fake' White House journo barred from Thai entry. Quoting directly: "The Government has made a U-turn by cancelling an invitation to American National Michael B. Alfaro after confirming he is not an accredited White House correspondent, despite his claims. Government Spokesman Jirayu Houngsub, speaking in his capacity as a member of the Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation (AHC) said the government initially intended to host Mr.  Alfaro so he could witness first-hand the damage caused by Cambodian heavy weapons as the government prepares to host international media in Surin this week. As for Mr. Alfaro, who livestreamed from the Cambodian-Thai border last week alleging Thai forces had blocked crossings, Mr. Jirayu said he had presented himself as a White House journalist and used harsh language against Thailand. Mr. Jirayu said the Government believed at first it would be beneficial for him to see the situation on Thai soil if he were genuinely a recognised reporter." I urge those who are watching this video go check out that article in detail for the full details in the article. Quoting further: "Quote: "Now that it has been established he is not a White House correspondent and has falsely invoked the name of the US President, the matter is closed. He is not welcome to set foot in Thailand," Mr. Jirayu said." Quoting further: "Chayika Wongnapachant, adviser to the Foreign Affairs Minister, said Mr. Alfaro is not an accredited White House correspondent and has no verified media affiliation. His Washington-based PR firm, Capitol Hill & Friends, was only established this year. She said the video lacked substantiated evidence and risked distorting International perceptions."

Meanwhile there's a further quote from a RAdm. Surasant Kongsiri, AHC spokesman, quote: "Thailand values peaceful coexistence with Cambodia," RAdm. Surasant said. Quote: "We cannot allow fabricated narratives to undermine our dignity or national security. Should such actions persist, Thailand will respond firmly within the framework of National and International Law." As appears to be the case as this person has been barred from looks like even entering Thailand, and again quoting directly: "He is not welcome to set foot in Thailand." So that pretty well sums up what's going on there. 

So look, at the end of the day, the reason for the video is to understand this is a rather touchy thing here obviously, and it involves National Security, it involves National sovereignty. Thailand is not "messing around" when it comes to how serious they take this whole situation and those who are trying to; I don't know what's going on exactly here, so I am not going to speak to this person, but I am just going to speak generally. Those who are maybe trying to use this dispute as the backdrop to "make a name" for themselves in the media-sphere, in the journalism-sphere, it's probably not a good idea.  It's not going to be well received especially by authorities here in Thailand. And I don't know exactly what this person's coverage was. I am looking at this purely from an Immigration standpoint. There are Media Visas, there are visas specifically designating, or I should say specifically designated for journalists, for folks that are journalists. I think accreditation is especially important to Thai Authorities. And let me be clear, I understand there are always free speech concerns, especially in an American context under our Constitution and Bill of Rights, it's a situation of well what is this thing “accredited”? What does that even mean? That said, we are not talking about the American legal system, we are talking about the Thai legal system and accreditation, especially from foreign correspondents, is of extreme concern to Thai Authorities. It is something to be aware of if you don't want to find yourself in a problematic situation with Immigration or even higher authorities here in the Kingdom of Thailand.