A former beauty queen from Myanmar has been stranded in a Bangkok airport since last month after fearing she would be arrested if she returned home. Htar Htet Htet, who represented Myanmar in the Miss Grand International pageant in 2019, had joined protests against the military coup in her home country earlier this year.
The 33-year-old arrived in Thailand on August 6 with the intention of travelling to Mexico to seek asylum, but was stopped at the airport due to issues with her paperwork. She has been living in the airport’s transit zone ever since.
According to reports, Htar Htet Htet fears for her safety if she returns to Myanmar due to her involvement in the anti-coup protests. Her family has also reportedly faced harassment and threats from the military.
The Thai government has been criticized for not allowing Htar Htet Htet to leave the airport or enter the country. However, the government has maintained that they cannot allow her entry due to issues with her travel documents.
Htar Htet Htet’s case has highlighted the plight of thousands of Myanmar citizens who have been forced to flee the country following the military coup earlier this year. Many have faced persecution, arrest, and violence at the hands of the military, leading to an ongoing humanitarian crisis.
International organizations and governments have called on the military to stop the violence and restore democracy in Myanmar. However, the military has shown no signs of backing down and has continued to crack down on dissent.
Htar Htet Htet’s situation is a reminder of the risks that citizens face when speaking out against authoritarian regimes. Her story is a call to action for the international community to stand up for human rights and to support those who are fighting for democracy and freedom.
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