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 competitors.
The 22-year-old turned her head in Thailand on Saturday during an emotional speech in which she begged for “urgent international aid” for her country, on the same day that 141 protesters were killed in an offensive by military officials she said were selfish. and abusing their power.
On Friday, she said her compatriots in an anti-coup movement would not give up on a fight that has already claimed about 550 lives in the two months since the generals overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
“I can say one thing: we, the citizens of Myanmar, will never give up,” she told Reuters.
“They told me that they are going to fight on the street and I am also struggling to get on stage now. 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 attacks designed to paralyze 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 regime of half a century before opening the way in 2011 for a brief era of democracy and economic reform.
Recalling Saturday’s contest, she said that her speech, during which she fought back tears, caused a deep sadness that she was unable to contain.
“I controlled my feelings at that moment because I need to speak for two or three minutes to everyone,” she said.
“I need to speak,” she 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. “
She said she was unable to concentrate on the competition and felt guilty about the suffering of people at home.
“Beauty queens need to smile always, they need to connect with everyone, very personally,” she said.
“I cannot be happy here because (while) I do daily activities here, many people died in Myanmar.”
The competition’s founder, Nawat Itsaragrisil, said that Han Lay’s decision to speak out against the military junta means that he will have to stay abroad.
“If she (is) going back to Myanmar now, she is not going home, she is going to jail,” he said.
Written by Martin Petty, edition by William Maclean