Book - "A Burmese Political Prisoner's Story"

[KTMphil]

Book - "A Burmese Political Prisoner's Story" by Paul Pickrem

In September 1987, 21 year old Thiha Yarzar, the son of a Burmese Army Colonel, was arrested in Rangoon as one of the leaders of a group of university students protesting against the military regime's economic policies. He was held at Burma's notorious Insein Prison for almost 5 months.

Four years later, following continued political activity and a sham one day trial, Thiha was sentenced to death for High Treason and returned to Insein Prison, believing he would die there.



No Easy Road: A Burmese Political Prisoner's Story chronicals Thiha Yarzar's nearly 18 year journey on the long road to freedom, first as a political prisoner jailed and tortured in five different Burmese Prisons and then as a political exile in Thailand.

I met Thiha at his book signing last week.

We have this fascinating, autographed book for sale for 300 bht at the Rider's Corner Bar & Restaurant in Chiang Mai.

 

[Just Bob]

I just read this - its available on-line. While I respect the author's dedication and cannot begin to fathom life in Insean Prison - for even one day - I wonder if his militancy and advocacy for armed confrontation has softened given the current state of affairs. I'm a strong advocate of non-violent civil disobedience so I don't agree with the author's militancy, but I highly respect it and acknowledge its inevitability given the situation.

 

[The Bigfella]

I just read this - its available on-line. While I respect the author's dedication and cannot begin to fathom life in Insean Prison - for even one day - I wonder if his militancy and advocacy for armed confrontation has softened given the current state of affairs. I'm a strong advocate of non-violent civil disobedience so I don't agree with the author's militancy, but I highly respect it and acknowledge its inevitability given the situation.

I spent a week in Nu Pho refugee camp a few months back. It rips your heart out to hear the stories of the people there.

Here's U Lin, one of the founders of the Saffron Revolution in 2007.

... an amazing individual.

16,000 people in that camp... living in this...

People died while I was there and a guy in the next hut to me had his back broken.... from storm damage. Its a desperate place.

A mother's love....

Yeah, cystic fybrosis... I can't imagine how hard it must be for her, caring for her daughter in those conditions. This is in the temple btw... not the tiny hut she lives in.

I'm of two minds about Burma. The one that's winning says get in there and show them that opening the place up and healing the wounds is the way to go. U Lin, who is a proponent of non-violent action, brought me around to that way of thinking.

Bringing the bike back from "show and tell" at one of the schools

Here's King Zero, the second of the three key founders of the Saffron Revolution. The third U Gambira, was in a Burmese prison until earlier this week, when he was released on bail.

I wish these people well....

 

[Just Bob]

Hopefully their time to go home is near. Thanks for the photos. Good on ya for spending time there.

 

[The Bigfella]

Hopefully their time to go home is near. Thanks for the photos. Good on ya for spending time there.

I sure hope so Bob, but I think it will be a long time yet. U Gambira was released earlier this year then imprisoned again pretty quickly.

I forgot to include the King Zero photo...

I tried... but he wouldn't have his photo taken on the KTM

If anyone's down that way, its worth taking a look. The kids love to speak to people from outside

Here's another one from Mae Sot. The infamous rubbish dump

 

[Just Bob]

Lots of good info here; TBC: The Border Consortium: Home Page