BANGKOK (Reuters) – Myanmar model Han Lay did not win the Miss Grand International beauty pageant last week, but she will be remembered as one of his most passionate contestants.
The 22-year-old made headlines in Thailand on Saturday during an emotional speech in which she pleaded for “urgent international aid” for her country. The same day, 141 protesters were killed in a crackdown on military rulers who were said to be selfish and abusive. force.
On Friday, she said her countrymen in an anti-coup movement would not withdraw from a struggle that has so far claimed nearly 550 lives in the two months since overthrowing General Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government.
“I can say one thing that our citizens in Myanmar will never give up,” she told Reuters.
‘They told me they would fight on the street, and I’m fighting on stage now too. So I think if we do not give up, we will win. ‘
Myanmar has plunged into chaos since the coup, with daily demonstrations and strikes aimed at paralyzing the country’s government, many of which have been deadly suppressed by security forces with live ammunition.
The victims were mostly young people, born in the last years of the army’s half-century rule before it made way in 2011 for a short era of democracy and economic reform.
In remembrance of Saturday’s match, she said her speech, during which she fought back the tears, caused deep sadness that she could not contain.
“I controlled my feeling at the time because I had to talk to the whole world for two or three minutes,” she said.
“I have to speak out,” she said. ‘I cried a lot and also all night when I came back to my room, I cried a lot. Until now, I also cry a lot about myanmar. ‘
She said she could not concentrate on the competition and experienced guilt over people suffering at home.
“Beauty queens have to smile every time, get in touch with all people very personally,” she said.
“I can not be happy here, because (while) doing activities here daily, so many people have died in Myanmar.” ‘
The founder of the competition, Nawat Itsaragrisil, said Han Lay’s decision to speak out against the junta meant she would have to stay overseas.
“If she goes to Myanmar again now, she will not go back home, but to jail,” he said.
Written by Martin Petty, edited by William Maclean