The local head of the Miss Grand International beauty pageant this morning stood behind Miss Myanmar for using the stage to speak out against the deadly crackdown in her home country.
Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Grand International Thailand, declared his support this morning on social media for Han Lay, the pageant’s contender from Myanmar, who during a televised segment appealed for urgent international help on Saturday, the deadliest day yet back home, where security forces killed more than 100 people.
“The coup has only caused affliction, suffering and hardship to the people. I’d like to express my support towards her and will help her in every way possible,” Nawat wrote on social media. He did not respond to messages seeking comment Monday.
‘That’s why we’re fighting,’ Miss Myanmar denounces ‘military cult’ for killing civilians
On Saturday, Han Lay seized the spotlight from the pageant stage to plead for help against the military back home which has killed more than 400 unarmed civilians since seizing power Feb. 1.
“Please help Myanmar,” she said at the event held in Bangkok. “Let’s create a better world…may the world be at peace with Myanmar,” she pleaded on stage on Saturday night before ending her speech by singing a part of Michael Jackson’s Heal the World.
Han Lay told Thai media after her speech that she fears for her safety if she returns to Myanmar, especially when she’s openly expressed her opposition to the coup, which has been roundly denounced throughout the world, while Thailand’s leaders, former military men so far keeps it cool by saying that it’s Myanmar’s “domestic issue.”
Two weeks ago, she broke down in tears to express her sorrow over the killing of civilians.
Tonight at 7pm, tune in to hear Nawat talk with Han Lay in English via Nawat’s Facebook page.
Han Lay was among 20 finalists, though Abena Appia, Miss Grand USA, was crowned with Miss Grand Philippines Samantha Mae Bernardo as first runner-up and Miss Grand Guatemala Ivana Batchelor as second runner-up.
Related
‘That’s why we’re fighting,’ Miss Myanmar denounces ‘military cult’ for killing civilians
