BANGKOK (Reuters) – Myanmar model Han Lay did not win last week’s Miss Grand International beauty pageant, but will be remembered as one of her most passionate contestants.
The 22-year-old turned around Thailand on Saturday during an emotional speech calling for “urgent international aid” for her country, the same day 141 protesters were killed in a crackdown by military rulers who said they were selfish and abusing power.
On Friday, he said his compatriots of an anti-coup movement would not shy away from a struggle that has so far claimed nearly 550 lives in the two months following the overthrow of Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government .
“I can say one thing, that the citizens of Myanmar will never give up,” he told Reuters.
“I was told they would fight on the street and now I am also fighting for the stage. Therefore, I think that if they do not 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 lethally suppressed by security forces with live ammunition.
The victims have been mostly young, born in the last years of the military’s half-century government before 2011 ushered in the brief era of democracy and economic reform.
Recalling Saturday’s contest, he said his speech, during which he fought back tears, caused a deep grief that he has been unable to contain.
“I controlled my feeling at the time because I needed to talk for two or three minutes all over the world,” he said.
“I need to talk,” he said. “I cried a lot and also all night when I came back to my room I cried a lot. So far, when I talk about Myanmar, I also cry a lot. “
He said he was unable to focus on the competition and felt guilty for the people suffering at home.
“Beauty queens have to smile every time, they have to connect with everyone, very personally,” she said.
“I can’t be happy here because (while) I do daily activities here, a lot of people died in Myanmar.”
The founder of the competition, Nawat Itsaragrisil, said Han Lay’s decision to protest against the board means he will have to stay abroad.
“If he (now) returns to Myanmar right now, he will not return home, but will go to prison,” he said.
Written by Martin Petty, edited by William Maclean