Philip Blackwood, from Wellington, New Zealand, is wasting away and has lost 20kg as he continues to languish in Insein jail according to a report on the Stuff website.
Mr Blackwood has been locked up at the notoriously tough prison since late 2014, after he was arrested for posting a picture of Buddha in headphones on Facebook in a promotion of his local bar.
His parents, Brian and Angela Blackwood, saw him for the first time on Friday, and were shocked to see how seven hours a day in a blazing hot prison yard - and living purely on rice and broth - was taking a huge toll on Philip.
The Blackwoods flew to Myanmar last Wednesday, and have been granted another two prison visits to their son while in the country.
Despite facing another two years and one week of prison with hard labour, Philip did his best to put on a brave face, his parents said.
“As we expected and hoped, Philip had not lost his sense of humour and soon put us at ease.”
Five members of the prison authority chaperoned Mr Blackwood to the emotional meeting with his parents, held in a side room of the prison.
One took notes of everything that was said.
“A lot of the initial conversation revolved around sport, in particular the impressive 'Canes season and the Black Caps' world cup run. It was an enjoyable hour and we updated him on the action being taken in NZ and UK to free him,” Brian said.
Life was difficult for Philip at Insein Prison, Brian said.
“Conditions are hard with little or no shade for his seven hours a day outside. Temperatures were over 40 degrees celsius last week.”