BREAKING NEWS: American hero Michael B. Alfaro is returning home from the Cambodia war zone to face death threats issued by the Thai government. This is Gary Franchi, Chief White House Correspondent for Next News Network, with an urgent follow-up to our breaking story that has shaken Southeast Asia and exposed Thailand’s war crimes to the world.
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Two major Cambodian-American communities from North and South Carolina are mobilizing to welcome Michael home at Columbia Airport, but this isn’t a celebration—it’s a security operation. Seyha Thach, president of the Cambodian Association of North Carolina, confirms that Cambodians in America, Cambodia, and around the world now honor Michael as a hero for his courage at the warzone. But that courage has made him a target.
The timeline is critical: From July 24-28, Thai military forces unleashed hell on Cambodia. They deployed F-16 jets, Gripen fighters, artillery, mortars, recoilless rifles, Israeli NG-5 light machine guns, U.S.-made M16A4 rifles with M203 grenade launchers, MK-84 bombs, cluster bombs, and even toxic gas. A Cambodian soldier was killed. Most shocking: Thai forces kidnapped 20 Cambodian soldiers. Only 2 have been released—18 remain in captivity today.
Michael flew to Cambodia after President Trump warned both nations of tariff consequences if the war continued. That presidential intervention forced the ceasefire and brought both sides to peace talks. On the ground, Michael met with Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, Tourism Minister Huot Hak, Prime Minister Hun Manet, and First Lady Pich Chanmony. But it was what he witnessed at the border that changed everything.
The livestream that has now made Michael a marked man drew over 9 MILLION viewers in just one hour. In that historic broadcast, he showed the world what Thailand desperately wanted hidden: barbed wire fences cutting through Cambodian soil, homes destroyed, families sleeping in streets, children living under plastic tents without food, medicine, or schools. He called out Thai military violations of President Trump’s peace directive and urged Congress to take immediate action.
Thailand’s response has been swift and dangerous. They launched an international smear campaign, falsely claiming Michael was a paid Cambodian lobbyist. But they’ve gone further—Thai government officials have PUBLICLY called on Thai nationals in South Carolina to harm Michael when he returns. These aren’t whispered threats in dark corners. These are PUBLIC declarations calling for violence against an American citizen on American soil.
The South Carolina Attorney General’s office has been contacted. Law enforcement is being briefed. Security measures are being implemented for Michael’s arrival at Columbia Airport. The Cambodian-American community will be there to welcome their hero home, but they’re also there as witnesses—ensuring his safety in the face of credible threats.
What Michael exposed cannot be unseen: Thai military aggression against innocent civilians, the destruction of homes and temples, the displacement of thousands, and the ongoing captivity of 18 Cambodian soldiers. His courage in broadcasting the truth to 9 million viewers has made him both a hero and a target.
In early September, the Cambodian community in America will present Champion Trophies to both Michael B. Alfaro and myself for exposing Thailand’s invasion and standing with the people of Cambodia. But right now, the focus is on getting Michael home safely.
This is more than a story—it’s history unfolding. An American citizen who answered President Trump’s call for peace, who risked his life to document war crimes, is now facing death threats from a foreign government for telling the truth. The Thai military thought they could wage war in darkness. Michael’s livestream brought light. Now they want to extinguish that light.
The people of Cambodia deserve peace, dignity, and respect. The 18 soldiers still held captive deserve freedom. And Michael B. Alfaro deserves to return home safely to the country he serves.
Stay tuned as we continue coverage of Michael’s arrival and the ongoing fallout from his explosive war zone reporting. The truth cannot be silenced, no matter how many threats are made.
📺 Watch, share, and let the world know: When foreign governments threaten American citizens for exposing the truth, we stand together. Michael’s courage has inspired millions. Now it’s our turn to ensure his story continues to be told.
