Mizzima

The Thai authorities banned a fundraising event in Mae Sot, Thailand, organised by Aung San Suu Kyi’s son Kim Aris, at the last moment on 22 November. 

The event was part of Kim Aris’s Freedom Tattoo campaign to raise money for humanitarian aid inside Myanmar. Kim Aris has pledged to have a tattoo of a Burmese water dragon and has asked people to sponsor him, get sponsored to have their own tattoos done or just to donate.

The fundraising event had been due to be held in Mae Sot from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on 22 November, but the Thai authorities turned up at the venue at noon on the day, according to passers-by.

Ko Jame, one of the event’s organisers said: "We are deeply saddened. We left our country due to the infringement of our civil rights, only to find that we still do not enjoy equal human rights in this country as well. Despite abiding by their laws, our compatriots are denied equal human rights, and the Thai police extort money from us arbitrarily. We continue to face discrimination here, and our human rights and civil rights are being violated.”

The event was to have included a live opening speech by Kim, a question and answer session, a brief reading of a biography, a screening of a short video clip featuring the late Burmese wrestling champion Ko Tutu, tattooing by artists associated with the campaign, expressions of intentions and feelings, a screening of a short documentary, poetry recitations, and entertainment featuring Myanmar music.

Despite the event’s cancellation it still managed to raise funds.

In a statement, the event organisers said: “Despite the Thai authorities' intervention during today's fundraising and cultural event for the Freedom Tattoo campaign in support of Burma Aid, there is still a silver lining. While it's disappointing that the Burmese military's pressure on Thai authorities led to the closure of a humanitarian aid fundraising event, the media's presence resulted in greater exposure for the cause and an increase in donations. Additionally, the event organizers distributed all the prepared food to a school for underprivileged and displaced Burmese children. It's heartwarming to see that even in difficult circumstances, there are still positive outcomes.