{"id":2026230,"date":"2026-07-03T09:36:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T06:36:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2026230"},"modified":"2026-07-03T09:36:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T06:36:39","slug":"viral-fake-ai-image-shows-macron-kneeling-before-thai-king","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2026230","title":{"rendered":"Viral fake AI-image shows Macron kneeling before Thai king"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/29\/45\/1200x675_cmsv2_22458100-f91f-54c9-b584-eebfad186db4-9822945.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2907154-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2907154\" data-cid=\"9824944\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907154-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/49\/44\/189x106_cmsv2_9ddfa230-70b6-5fa6-ab50-2c0fd66f9b79-9824944.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Labour Party&apos;s Andy Burnham delivers a speech at the People&apos;s History Museum in Manchester, 29 June, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Prospective UK PM Burnham rules out early general election\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907148-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2907148\" data-cid=\"9824925\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907148-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/49\/25\/189x106_cmsv2_221589f4-2249-5409-982c-ad9e5ab45917-9824925.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President-elect Keiko Fujimori waves to reporters as she leaves her home in Lima, 3 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Peru<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Keiko Fujimori wins Peru&#8217;s presidential election after June runoff\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907135-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2907135\" data-cid=\"9824864\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907135-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/48\/64\/189x106_cmsv2_5bbb4dac-8af4-5152-81e2-721394edd376-9824864.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Portugal&apos;s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup round-of-32 match against Croatia in Toronto, 2 July 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    World News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Did he say Bismillah? Ronaldo\u2019s penalty whisper ignites global debate\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907144-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2907144\" data-cid=\"9824885\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907144-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/48\/85\/189x106_cmsv2_d0811d60-5a39-52f8-bdef-380b24a1b0bd-9824885.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Presenter with Iran International television Pouria Zeraati in the studio\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Romanian men jailed over London stabbing of Iranian TV presenter\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907154-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2907154\" data-cid=\"9824944\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907154-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/49\/44\/189x106_cmsv2_9ddfa230-70b6-5fa6-ab50-2c0fd66f9b79-9824944.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Labour Party&apos;s Andy Burnham delivers a speech at the People&apos;s History Museum in Manchester, 29 June, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Prospective UK PM Burnham rules out early general election\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907148-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2907148\" data-cid=\"9824925\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907148-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/49\/25\/189x106_cmsv2_221589f4-2249-5409-982c-ad9e5ab45917-9824925.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President-elect Keiko Fujimori waves to reporters as she leaves her home in Lima, 3 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Peru<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Keiko Fujimori wins Peru&#8217;s presidential election after June runoff\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907135-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2907135\" data-cid=\"9824864\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907135-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/48\/64\/189x106_cmsv2_5bbb4dac-8af4-5152-81e2-721394edd376-9824864.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Portugal&apos;s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup round-of-32 match against Croatia in Toronto, 2 July 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    World News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Did he say Bismillah? Ronaldo\u2019s penalty whisper ignites global debate\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907144-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2907144\" data-cid=\"9824885\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907144-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/48\/85\/189x106_cmsv2_d0811d60-5a39-52f8-bdef-380b24a1b0bd-9824885.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Presenter with Iran International television Pouria Zeraati in the studio\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Romanian men jailed over London stabbing of Iranian TV presenter\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe Decoded<\/p>\n<p>                          The Cube<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Viral fake AI-image shows Macron kneeling before Thai king <\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/29\/45\/1536x864_cmsv2_22458100-f91f-54c9-b584-eebfad186db4-9822945.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"French President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Thailand&apos;s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, center , and his wife Queen Suthida at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Monday, June 29, 2026.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              French President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Thailand&#8217;s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, center , and his wife Queen Suthida at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Monday, June 29, 2026.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbsp<b>Euronews<\/b>&amp;nbspwith&amp;nbsp<b>AFP<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1783071399\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-07-03 11:36:39 +02:00\">03\/07\/2026 &#8211; 11:36 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label 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class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Did French President Emmanuel Macron kneel before Thailand&#8217;s King Maha Vajiralongkorn? Despite online claims, this viral image is fake.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Thailand&#8217;s foreign ministry has denied a viral online claim that French President Emmanuel Macron knelt before the country&#8217;s King Maha Vajiralongkorn while presenting France&#8217;s highest state honours during the Thai monarch&#8217;s state visit to Paris. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The claim spread after an AI-generated image circulated widely on Thai social media following the king&#8217;s official visit to France, the first by a Thai monarch since 1960, marking 170 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. <\/p>\n<p>During a state dinner at the presidential palace, Macron presented the 73-year-old king with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour \u2014 France&#8217;s highest award \u2014 and Queen Suthida with the Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit, according to Thai media.<\/p>\n<p>Soon after, an image appeared online purporting to show Macron kneeling before the king as he presented the award. <\/p>\n<p>One Thai-language Facebook post featuring the image amassed more than 40,000 reactions and 2,000 shares.<\/p>\n<p>According to the Thai fact-checking organisation COFACT, the post was shared nearly 400 times within its first hour online.<\/p>\n<p>It was also shared by a page with more than two million followers that frequently publishes pro-military and nationalist commentary.<\/p>\n<p>Many comments in Thai expressed increased admiration for the French leader, with one calling him &#8220;so charming&#8221; and saying he had &#8220;completely won over Thai hearts with this&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Another described him as a &#8220;true leader.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>However, Thailand&#8217;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said no such moment took place.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/29\/45\/808x454_cmsv2_cb939c98-7e2b-5fcd-838f-2c7e4d3df9d8-9822945.jpg\" alt=\"Photo claiming to show French President Emmanuel Macron kneeling before the Thai king is AI-generated. \"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Photo claiming to show French President Emmanuel Macron kneeling before the Thai king is AI-generated. <\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Cleared<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;There is no evidence of any image showing Emmanuel Macron kneeling to present a royal decoration,&#8221; a ministry official told AFP.<\/p>\n<p>Official photographs published by Thailand&#8217;s foreign ministry show Macron standing while presenting the award. <\/p>\n<p>The image also has visual inconsistencies: comparing the clothing worn by the figure resembling Queen Suthida with photographs taken during the visit shows that the outfit is different. <\/p>\n<p>Finally, The Cube, Euronews&#8217; fact-checking team, ran the image through OpenAI&#8217;s verification tool, which found that it contained a SynthID watermark and was &#8220;generated using OpenAI tools.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s not the first time AI-generated imagery of Thailand&#8217;s royal family has gone viral online. <\/p>\n<p>In June, images claiming to show Thai Princess Sirivannavari crying after the death of the king\u2019s eldest daughter, known as Princess Bha, gained widespread sympathy online. <\/p>\n<p>This image was, however, also AI-generated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  France&#8217;s Emmanuel Macron speaks out against global rise in executions<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Europe Today: Ukraine seeks defence, energy deals in Poland as Macron meets Meloni in France<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  &#8216;Not our Europe&#8217;: Macron and S\u00e1nchez slam &#8216;ineffective&#8217; return hubs for migrants<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  AI<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Thailand<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Emmanuel Macron<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  TheCube<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2907091-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907091\" data-cid=\"9824588\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907091-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/45\/88\/320x180_cmsv2_fea58083-cdee-5c74-8a68-0dfe86206da0-9824588.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US President Donald Trump.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO to reaffirm iron-clad commitment to Article 5 at Ankara summit<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2907135-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907135\" data-cid=\"9824864\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907135-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/48\/64\/320x180_cmsv2_5bbb4dac-8af4-5152-81e2-721394edd376-9824864.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Portugal&apos;s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup round-of-32 match against Croatia in Toronto, 2 July 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Did he say Bismillah? 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Ronaldo\u2019s penalty whisper ignites global debate<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907121-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907121\" data-cid=\"9824776\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907121-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/47\/76\/320x180_cmsv2_aad53f8a-59c7-53c6-b7e8-a4992f22f0a9-9824776.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A ring designed for US President Donald Trump and crafted by Antwerp diamond designer David Gotlib, 30 June, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Belgian diamond group that won tariff relief gifts Trump ring<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907039-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907039\" data-cid=\"9824310\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907039-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/43\/10\/320x180_cmsv2_19e9c3a2-c147-57be-a98c-cad0430dd5d1-9824310.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A screenshot of the Interpol Red Notices webpage, 3 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    European police hunt for Ukrainian woman over Monaco bomb attack<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907154-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907154\" data-cid=\"9824944\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907154-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/49\/44\/320x180_cmsv2_9ddfa230-70b6-5fa6-ab50-2c0fd66f9b79-9824944.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Labour Party&apos;s Andy Burnham delivers a speech at the People&apos;s History Museum in Manchester, 29 June, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Prospective UK PM Burnham rules out early general election<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906338-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906338\" data-cid=\"9820430\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Nine of the top 10 strongest passports globally are European<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906885-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906885\" data-cid=\"9823468\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump says &#8216;ridiculous&#8217; for US to maintain current support for NATO<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906619-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906619\" data-cid=\"9822187\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany&#8217;s Merz announces sweeping reforms in key breakthrough<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906947-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906947\" data-cid=\"9823728\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spanish goalkeeper Unai Sim\u00f3n sets new Guinness World Record<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906634-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906634\" data-cid=\"9821982\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    OmnesViae: the Roman Empire\u2019s Google Maps you can use today<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Thailand&#8217;s foreign ministry has denied a viral online claim that French President Emmanuel Macron knelt before the country&#8217;s King Maha Vajiralongkorn while presenting France&#8217;s highest state honours during the Thai monarch&#8217;s state visit to Paris.The claim spread after an AI-generated image circulated widely on Thai social media following the king&#8217;s official visit to France, the first by a Thai monarch since 1960, marking 170 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.During a state dinner at the presidential palace, Macron presented the 73-year-old king with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour \u2014 France&#8217;s highest award \u2014 and Queen Suthida with the Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit, according to Thai media.Soon after, an image appeared online purporting to show Macron kneeling before the king as he presented the award.One Thai-language Facebook post featuring the image amassed more than 40,000 reactions and 2,000 shares.According to the Thai fact-checking organisation COFACT, the post was shared nearly 400 times within its first hour online.It was also shared by a page with more than two million followers that frequently publishes pro-military and nationalist commentary.Many comments in Thai expressed increased admiration for the French leader, with one calling him &#8220;so charming&#8221; and saying he had &#8220;completely won over Thai hearts with this&#8221;.Another described him as a &#8220;true leader.&#8221;However, Thailand&#8217;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said no such moment took place.&#8221;There is no evidence of any image showing Emmanuel Macron kneeling to present a royal decoration,&#8221; a ministry official told AFP.Official photographs published by Thailand&#8217;s foreign ministry show Macron standing while presenting the award.The image also has visual inconsistencies: comparing the clothing worn by the figure resembling Queen Suthida with photographs taken during the visit shows that the outfit is different.Finally, The Cube, Euronews&#8217; fact-checking team, ran the image through OpenAI&#8217;s verification tool, which found that it contained a SynthID watermark and was &#8220;generated using OpenAI tools.&#8221;It&#8217;s not the first time AI-generated imagery of Thailand&#8217;s royal family has gone viral online.In June, images claiming to show Thai Princess Sirivannavari crying after the death of the king\u2019s eldest daughter, known as Princess Bha, gained widespread sympathy online.\u00a0This image was, however, also AI-generated.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/07\/03\/viral-fake-ai-image-shows-macron-kneeling-before-thai-king&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/29\/45\/1200x675_cmsv2_22458100-f91f-54c9-b584-eebfad186db4-9822945.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Prospective UK PM Burnham rules out early general election Peru Keiko Fujimori wins Peru&#8217;s presidential election after June runoff World News Did he say Bismillah? Ronaldo\u2019s penalty whisper ignites global debate Europe News Romanian men jailed over London stabbing of Iranian TV presenter Europe News Prospective UK PM Burnham rules [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2026230","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2026230","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2026230"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2026230\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2026230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2026230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2026230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}