Asia Travel News Commentary, Reviews, and Insights

In an article by Charlie Norton dated August 14, 2009 in the Daily Telegraph, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Myanmar opposition leader, has dropped her opposition to tourism in Myanmar.  Burma was renamed Myanmar by the ruling military dictatorship, but the new name has never been recognized by the United States and other Western countries. In a BBC interview in 2002, Suu Kyi was quoted as saying: “We have not yet come to the point where we encourage people to come to Burma as tourists.” The article says that her new views on the subject came from a close acquaintance and former member of her party, the National League for Democracy. According to article, “she now believes it can be encouraged, provided it is run through private operations and not through the government, and that visitors might help draw attention to the oppression of the people by the military junta.”

Read the full article here.

I have incredible respect for Aung San Suu Kyi, a winner of the Nobel Peace Price in 1991, and have always tried to be responsible in promoting tourism in Myanmar. In fact, we speak about her and her opposition to tourism as well as the military dictatorship there on our Red Lantern Journeys Myanmar web page. We want all visitors to Myanmar  to be well informed of the issues in Myanmar and to understand the ramifications of traveling there. However, we also believe it is one of the most magical countries in SE Asia and well worth visiting…especially in a manner that is respectful to the population and uses privately owned tour operators, hotels, and shops.

While the US-based airlines have begun charging for checked luggage, Asia-based airlines have not yet gone to the that extreme. However, the local airlines may have more restrictive luggage allowances for their domestic flights than the internationial flights you take to and from the US to get there. The most typical restriction on domestic flights in Asia is 20 Kilograms (44 lbs.) per person, compared to a 2-bag, 32 kg. (70 lbs.) for international flights to get to Asian gateway cities from the US and Canada.

Here’s a breakdown of the domestic luggage allowances for different airlines in Asia:

China:

All Domestic Airlines

Carry-on baggage
The maximum Carry-on baggage allowance for each economy class passenger is 5kg. First class passengers can have 2 pieces of carry on luggage. All other passengers can carry on only one piece. The size may not exceed 20×40x55cm. Carry on baggage in excess of the limit is subject to an excess baggage fee and must be carried as checked baggage.

Check-in Baggage
Adults and children are entitled to a free checked baggage allowance of 40kg, for first class, 30kg, for business class, and 20kg, for economy class while traveling on domestic airlines in China. No free baggage allowance is granted to infants. Groups traveling together are able to combine their baggage allowance if they check in together.

SE Asia:

Thai Airways (luggage restrictions)

Checked Baggage:
Economy Class passengers:           20 kg. (44 lbs.)
Royal Executive Class passengers: 30 kg. (66 lbs.)
Royal First Class passengers:         40 kg. (88 lbs.)

Royal Orchid Plus Gold Card members are entitled to check an additional 20 kg. (44 lbs.). Royal Orchid Plus Silver Card members can check an additional 10 kg. (22 lbs.) of luggage.

Infants (not occupying a seat) are allowed 10 kg. (22 lbs.) excluding one fully-collapsible child stroller, pushchair, or infant-carrying basket.

Cabin Baggage: Maximum weight is 7 Kg. (15.4 lbs).

Bangkok Air (and Siem Reap Airways) (luggage restrctions)
Checked Baggage: Maximum weight is 20 kg. for adult and child / 10 kg. for an infant
Cabin Baggage: Maximum weight is 5 kg. (11 lbs).

Vietnam Airlines (luggage restrictions)
Checked Baggage:
Business Class: maximum 30 kg. of checked baggage (number of bags isn’t regulated).
Economy Class: maximum 20 kg. of checked baggage (number of bags isn’t regulated).

Cabin Baggage: 1 piece, 7 Kg. (15.4 lbs) in economy class; 2 pieces, 7 kg. (15.4 lbs) each piece.

Bhutan:

Druk Air
Checked Baggage:
Economy: maximum 20 Kg. (44 lbs) subject to 2 suitcase-sized pieces per passenger.
Executive: maximum 30 Kg. (66 lbs) subject to 2 suitcase-sized pieces per passenger.

Cabin Baggage: 1 bag, the weight of which is included in the overall weight restrictions.

India

Jet AirwaysChecked Baggage:
Economy: 25 kg. (55 lbs) per person, largest bag no more than 32 Kg. (70.4 lbs)
Premiere: 35 kg. (77 lbs) per person, largest bag no more than 32 Kg. (70.4 lbs)

Cabin Baggage:
1 hand bag, 7 kg. (15 lbs.), plus 1 laptop bag or purse

Kingfisher Airlines

Checked Baggage:
Kingfisher First: 35 kg/77 lb
Kingfisher Class: 25 kg/55 lb
Kingfisher Red: 15 kg/33 lb

Cabin Baggage:
1 hand bag, 7 kg. (15 lbs.), plus 1 laptop bag or purse

Indian Airlines

Myanmar

All domestic airlines:
Maximum Baggage Allowance: 20 Kg. (44 lbs) per person

My company, Red Lantern Journeys, has been marginally affected by the Nargis Cyclone in Myanmar. American visits to Myanmar have been just a trickle anyway due to the recent crackdowns against monks protesting and the continuing house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi. Yet, I’m enraged by the willingness of the Myanmar dictatorship to let their own people suffer. On the other hand, I’ve been extremely impressed by Pandaw River Cruise’s efforts to raise money (over half a million dollars!) and convert their own river cruise ships to hospital ships and supply carriers and to donate their use to charities distributing relief. They’ve also used the extra money to purchase a motorized barge that will be converted to a floating medical clinic plying the rivers of the remote upper Irawaddy after the need for cyclone relief has passed. Please visit the Pandaw web site for more detailed information about their amazing effort. I’ve never met him, but Paul Strachan, the founder of Pandaw, is now a hero of mine. Read Paul’s blog for an amazing insight to what’s happening in Myanmar.

Tourism is still alive and well in Myanmar, and the locals are desparate to see people return. Hotels in Yangon have recovered and other areas of the country outside of the delta area were unaffected and are as beautiful as ever. If you haven’t been to Myanmar, it is one of the most beautiful countries in SE Asia with wonderful people. Go and visit and come back and tell their story to everyone you know.