Hell, just look at how these photos are presented here.
Mark doesn’t make any mention of the atrocities being perpetuated by the government of Myanmar, or give any context beyond “Look at these beautiful pictures!”
If it weren’t for some people in the comments speaking up, how many readers would (still will, if they don’t read the comments) just go “Oh, what a gorgeous country!” and come away with a vague semi-formed impression of Myanmar as a lovely Aesthetic Third World Paradise™ ala Bhutan?
These sorts of photos, and this sort of facile “Ooo, pretty!” article help give the nations in which these kinds of crimes are occuring a pleasant public face to show the international community.
