Editor’s Note
by Mattia Peroni, Lead Editor - Mekong Belt Desk
Some things only look solid until they touch the ground. In Thailand, Bangkok's worst flooding in years left 10,000 pieces of luggage stranded at Suvarnabhumi, forced more than 70 flight cancellations, and ended with Thai Airways' CEO ousted by his own board, a reminder that a tourism recovery depends on what works when conditions turn bad. In Myanmar, a wave of foreign YouTubers is telling a different story from the safe distance of Yangon and Mandalay, with titles like "24 Hours Eating Noodles in War-Torn Myanmar." Locals and critics say these videos help the junta project a stability that young people living under forced conscription and night-time curfews don't recognize, and that a country's safety can't be judged from its best-protected streets. In Cambodia, the military service law that sat unenforced since 2006 is now real: about 3,000 young people signed up in the first days, with prison penalties for evasion and rights groups warning that the burden will fall hardest on those with the fewest means. And in Laos, the countdown to LDC graduation on November 24 is less a finish line than a landing, with officials themselves cautioning that the real risks begin once trade preferences start to phase out.
Thailand 🇹🇭
Bangkok’s Floods Uncovers a New Crack for Thailand’s Tourism Recovery
by Pathom Sangwongwanich, in Bangkok
Bangkok’s worst flooding in years has shifted from a public-infrastructure crisis into an aviation and tourism problem, which ultimately leads to the ousting of Thai Airways International Chief Executive Officer Chai Eamsiri. The move, mandated by the company’s board of directors with immediate effect on October 2, follows a week-long debacle as the national flag carrier canceled several flights and cut Bangkok departures because flood-related staff shortages crippled its aviation and ground service operations at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, leaving around 10,000 luggage stranded on terminal floors.
Chai’s dismissal is mainly rooted in failure to address crisis management, tarnishing the airline’s reputation and causing considerable losses to aviation operations, and a previous corruption allegation linked to wine procurement for in-flight service. The Ministry of Finance discovered that the purchase involved manipulation by the airline’s procurement department, which bought 860,000 wine bottles at a price of over 1,000 baht per bottle from a single supplier.
Chai, who joined the airline in 1985 and rose through the ranks to become chief financial officer before being appointed CEO in 2023, said the board of directors “didn’t give a reason” for his dismissal. Meanwhile, the flag carrier said in an exchange filing that the board of directors will conduct a fact-finding investigation of the crisis and Chai is suspended as CEO during the course of investigation.
Sumrid Sumneing, a board member of Thai Airways International, has been appointed as acting CEO in an attempt to manage the operational turmoil. Previously, the airline had announced the cancellation of more than 45 flights for October 1 and October 2 to address a backlog of more than 10,000 pieces of luggage and cargo, with plans to resume full-scale operations by October 3. Thai Airways International recently canceled 37 flights bound for domestic and international routes on September 29 and 30 and the cumulative tally was poised to reach over 70 flights as more cancellations for flights between October 1 and October 3 had been announced.
The disruption has raised questions beyond the immediate inconvenience to passengers. Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul sharply criticized Thai Airways’ management prior to Chai’s dismissal, saying the episode risks undermining traveler confidence and damaging Thailand’s image as a tourism hub. “If you think your term is almost over and you are not going to do anything, I don’t think that’s acceptable. Resign, or consider stepping down quickly so that someone who wants to work can come in and help,” Surasak said.
That criticism comes at a sensitive time for Thailand’s tourism industry. Tourism is a key driver of Thailand’s economy, which has lagged regional peers since the pandemic, as it contributes to about 12% of GDP. Year-to-date foreign tourist arrivals were registered at 22.7 million, down 3.7% year-on-year, as of September 26, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
For international travelers, flooding that affects roads and neighborhoods may be an expected seasonal disruption. However, flooding that leaves luggage stranded at the country’s main international gateway is different. It can turn a weather event into a direct test of the country’s ability to keep its tourism infrastructure functioning.
The episode also highlights a broader challenge for Thailand because tourism recovery is not simply about bringing more visitors through the airport. It depends on whether the country can deliver a reliable experience once they arrive — from transportation and airports to hotels, attractions, and basic infrastructure.
Myanmar 🇲🇲
Foreign Travel Bloggers and Youtubers Claim Normalcy in Myanmar
by Ley Hlaing
Over the past two to three years, a couple of foreign influencers and youtubers have been claiming that Myanmar is a fun, safe country to travel and spend time on vacation, little do they know or they are intentionally ignoring the sufferings of people of Myanmar with their misleading thumbnails while joyfully immersing themselves in the junta’s mechanism of normalizing the turmoil with the use of tourism.
A few assertions by the youtubers and travel bloggers that Myanmar is going back to normal and safe to visit starting from 2022, have now become quite frequent especially after the former junta leader, Mig Aung Hlaing became president in 2026. A few critical questions should be asked: who are those people? And why do they come to Myanmar and claim the country is okay to visit now? Seeking answers to these questions will explain a broader part of the story. Their content titles are like “I Spend 72 Hours In A Country At War 🇲🇲,” “24 Hours Eating Noodles in War-Torn Myanmar 🇲🇲” portraying themselves as real great adventurers and culturalists, eating outside the local cuisine in Yangon and some major cities.
Recently, some local frustration came up with those foreign YouTubers using misleading and AI-generated thumbnails and praising a “fun, safe country” just only visiting the urban places like Yangon and Mandalay. Local residents note these creators enjoy strict “tourist privileges” in highly protected bubbles while remaining completely undermining to everyday local threats like forced conscription, sudden raids, and arbitrary detention which are not the primary targets applying on them. While these hypocrites foreign bloggers can easily ride on a taxi and go out at nights for exploratory fun to the Chinatown, a local youth would hardly go outside after 7PM MMT due to the forced conscription and scared of night crime in their own town and country. The local youth might ask if that is not hypocrisy, what else would be. Their ignorance is very inhumane and a complete total inconsideration.
In fact, they are within the junta’s mechanism of manufacturing stability. A comprehensive report in The Diplomat outlines how the military’s Ministry of Information actively manufactures narratives of stability. This includes state-backed media infrastructure designed to mask the ongoing crisis and push structural propaganda. Some people commented that these content creators are “junta’s unofficial assets” suspecting for doing contents like these, they might even have gotten a free visa or an invitation. The debate over whether visiting the country helps or hurts its citizens is long-standing. Analysis on New Mandala and historical features by The Diplomat explore how the state uses tourism and the reopening of travel to project normalcy and secure state revenue, even as resistance groups urge boycotts to block funds from reaching military-affiliated businesses.
Despite the fact that their own governments are declaring that Myanmar is a red zone and unsafe to travel, these bloggers are actively involving in spreading junta’s pleasure and narratives. Looking at those bloggers and their fame, many frustrated locals remark that these so-called bloggers are kind of trash, they cannot make those contents in their own soil, which triggers a brutal truth that it is a win-win situation for both the junta and these creators; the former manufacturing stability and reviving tourism and the latter, the fake and misleading popularity. It is their responsibility to what extent they express about a country they are shooting a content. However, it is way more dangerous and a misleading conclusion to say everything is sound and safe only after visiting cities like Yangon and Mandalay. On the other hand, those who work on the travel agencies and business, they see this is a great opportunity to showcase that some places in the country can be traveled and become renowned which is good for the country. All in all, safety is first for travel and thus if these content creators are truly adventurous, they should also go to the battling places and draw a conclusion. These bloggers should know that they can do better and it should always be questionable about the correct safety of a country one is travelling to and the true popularity will only be achieved when they do not paint false narratives on the lives of the people of Myanmar.
Ley Hlaing is a former Political Science student from the University of Yangon, Myanmar. Currently, he is pursuing his BA at Parami University with a major in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. His academic and professional interests span community development, literature, minority issues, and social impact research. Having held roles as Research Assistant, Student Mentor, and Facilitator for local initiatives, he has constantly supported project management in literature and education programs in Myanmar.
Cambodia 🇰🇭
Cambodia Begins Enforcing Military Service Law as About 3,000 Apply in First Week
by Sokna Thea, in Phnom Penh
Cambodia has begun enforcing its new military service law, with about 3,000 young people signing up in the first day, Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Friday last week. The government has yet to release a detailed breakdown of the applicants, and the figure could rise as registration continues.
The law took effect in May 2026, replacing a 2006 statute that was never put into practice. Under the new rules, male citizens aged 18 to 25 can be required to serve for 24 months, up from 18 months under the old law. Women can also apply voluntarily.
Recruits will be chosen through a mix of voluntary enlistment and a draft lottery. The Ministry of National Defence will set an annual quota based on the armed forces’ needs. Officials have indicated a target of roughly 8,500 new recruits for 2026, but no official cap has been published.
Defense Minister Tea Seiha said registration forms are being handed out from October 1 to October 9, with completed forms accepted between October 10 and October 15. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called 2026 a “historic year” for the law and said future intakes would happen gradually each year.
Those selected will serve for 24 months. The first three months will be basic training, followed by practical postings. Hun Manet said training would cover not only combat skills but also radio communications, electronics repair, and aircraft maintenance. He added that recruits would learn about drones and artificial intelligence, describing the program as an investment in both national defense and young people’s skills.
The law includes penalties for avoiding service. In peacetime, evasion can lead to six months to two years in prison and fines of up to $1,000. During war or foreign attack, the penalty can rise to five years in prison and higher fines. Exemptions are granted to Buddhist monks, other religious clergy, and people with disabilities. Some citizens can request a deferral, including for up to one year in certain cases.
The move to enforce conscription comes after renewed security concerns along the Cambodia-Thailand border. Deadly clashes in 2025 left soldiers and civilians dead and displaced families. Hun Manet announced plans to start enforcing the law in mid-2025, shortly after those incidents.
Civil society groups say national service can be legitimate, but they urge strong safeguards. Am Sam Ath of the rights group LICADHO said the government must ensure adequate allowances and clear legal protections so recruits can return to their studies and jobs without harm. Ny Sokha of ADHOC warned that penalties may hit poorer citizens hardest and expressed concern over provisions that could be used against government critics. Observers are calling for transparent, corruption-free lottery and selection processes.
Sokna has a background in International Affairs and Business & Commercial Law. He’s currently a Senior Project Coordinator at the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Cambodia, working on the Financial Management Information System (FMIS) Project. His professional focus is driven by entrepreneurship, business development, and financial technology, with a particular interest in how private-sector innovation drives Cambodia’s economic growth.
Lao PDR 🇱🇦
Countdown to November 24 as Lao PDR prepares to Leave the LDC List
by Souriya Bounpaseuth, in Vientiane
On 24 November 2026, Laos is scheduled to graduate from the UN’s Least Developed Country (LDC) category, according to the UN’s LDC Portal. With the date weeks away, the government has restated its position publicly. On 25 September, on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongsavan Phomvihane told the UN High Representative for the LDCs that Laos was fully prepared to graduate this year. He also asked for international support to strengthen the economy beyond graduation.
The case for graduation rests on measurable progress. Laos reached a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of 2,503 USD in the 2024 UN review, well above the 1,306 USD graduation threshold, and has met all three criteria since 2021. Human development has been central. Officials note that progress in human assets contributed to Laos qualifying, and that further gains in health, education and nutrition will remain important after it leaves the category. The road has not been short, though. Laos first targeted 2020, then 2024, before settling on 2026.
Graduation does not mean support ends overnight. Laos’ Smooth Transition Strategy sets three goals: a smooth, quality and sustainable graduation. The strategy is part of a wider plan, since graduation preparations are embedded in the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2026–2030. A transition period is reported to run until 2029, giving exporters, ministries and development partners time to adjust as LDC-specific measures phase out.
The effects will not be felt equally across the economy. A joint UN study listed on the LDC Portal found that textiles and clothing in five Asian LDCs, Laos among them, make heavy use of LDC trade preferences and are among the sectors most likely to be affected. The ILO has also stressed that responsible business conduct will be essential for maintaining market access and competitiveness, pointing to standards, skills and compliance as the next test for Lao enterprises.
Lao officials have been open about the risks ahead. At a UN meeting, Laos’ Permanent Representative to the UN, Thongphan Savanphet, cautioned that the period after graduation could be fragile if support measures were withdrawn too quickly, with shifts in climate, trade and digital technology bringing both opportunities and new risks. He also pointed to digital transformation, green growth and regional integration as possible routes to trade and investment and a more resilient economy.
The date on the calendar will mark a milestone, but the real measure of success will come afterwards whether growth holds, whether households benefit, and whether the economy becomes more resilient.
Editorial Deadline 03/10/2026 11:59 PM (UTC +8)
