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BANGKOK (The Nation / ANN): In March, as Myanmar’s junta began the second month of its bloody crackdown, beauty queens from around the world gathered in Bangkok ahead of the Miss Grand International pageant.
Among them was Myanmar’s own Han Lay, who watched in horror from the quarantine of her hotel in Bangkok as reports showed the junta forces massacring peaceful protesters on the streets of her homeland.
On March 11, she spoke and appeared on camera in quarantine in a dress embroidered with a picture of Aung San Suu Kyi, the former leader of Myanmar who has been detained by the military since taking power on February 1.
“I share the same unspeakable sadness and pain as each and every one of us in Myanmar,” Han Lay said, praising the bravery of the protesters, especially women, who were being shot and killed.
“We must win the revolution,” he added, sobbing.
Fast forward to Saturday night (March 27), Han Lay found himself in the spotlight on the Miss Grand International stage in Bangkok when news came from across the border of the bloodiest day in the crackdown yet, with at least 114 people dead protesting the coup.
Breaking the unwritten rule of beauty pageants – “no politics” – Han Lay stepped up to the microphone once more to make a tearful plea to the world.
“Today in my country, Myanmar, while I am going to be in this scenario, there are so many people dying, more than 100 people died today. I am deeply sorry for all the people who have lost their lives. “
She demanded democracy, as well as justice, for her Myanmar compatriots, in a speech that made headlines around the world.
In response, Miss Grand International organizer Nawat Itsaragrisil told reporters that he had taken the contestant from Myanmar under his care. Noting that he was unable to return home because Myanmar’s airports were closed, he contacted the Immigration Office to ask permission for Han Lay to stay in Thailand.
Nawat added that it was his humanitarian duty to help Han Lay.
On Wednesday, the Myanmar beauty queen spoke again during a press conference.
“Before coming here, I was protesting… we want democracy right now. We fight for our people. So many people have died in Myanmar. That’s the reason why [protesters] try to fight more and more “.
Han Lay also called for an international intervention to stop the crisis affecting his homeland.
“At this time, the citizens of Myanmar cannot stop the army. Now we ask the international community for help. We need the help of the UN right now.
“In Myanmar, all citizens are in a dangerous situation. I need to be concerned about the future of my country and the future of the new generation. And I am the only one who can contact the international [world] right now because I am in another country.
“I need to be strong for my family, for my people in Myanmar.” – The Nation / Asia News Network
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