BANGKOK (Reuters) – Myanmar model Han Lay did not win the Miss Grand International beauty pageant last week, but will be remembered as one of her most passionate contestants.
The 22-year-old returned to Thailand on Saturday during an emotional speech in which she pleaded for “urgent international aid” for her country, on the same day, 141 protesters were killed in a crackdown by military leaders on who said they were selfish and abused their power.
On Friday, she said her compatriots in an anti-coup movement would not return from a fight that has so far left nearly 550 lives in the two months since the generals overthrew Aung San Suu’s elected government. Kyi.
“I can say one thing, that we, the citizens of Myanmar, will never give up,” she told Reuters.
“They told me that they will fight on the street and I am still fighting on stage. So, I think that if they don’t give up, we will win “.
Myanmar has fallen into chaos since the coup, with daily demonstrations and strikes aimed at paralyzing the country’s administration, many of which have been fatally suppressed by live ammunition security forces.
The victims were mostly young people, born in the last years of the half-century military rule, before it took place, in 2011, for the short era of democracy and economic reform.
Recalling Saturday’s contest, she said her speech, during which she fought back tears, triggered a deep pain she was unable to contain.
“I controlled my feeling at the time, because I have to talk to everyone in two or three minutes,” she said.
“I have to talk,” she said. “I cried a lot and also all night when I got to my room I cried a lot. So far, when I talk about Myanmar, I cry a lot. “
She said she could not focus on the competition and felt guilty for the people who suffer at home.
“Beauty queens have to smile every time, they have to connect with each person, very personally,” she said.
“I can’t be happy here because (while) doing daily activities here, so many people have died in Myanmar.”
The founder of the competition, Nawat Itsaragrisil, said that Han Lay’s decision to speak out against the junta means that he will have to stay abroad.
“If he (returns) to Myanmar right now, he will not return home, he will go to prison,” he said.
Written by Martin Petty, edited by William Maclean