Four members of an exiled Burmese comedy troupe flew to Rangoon on Sunday, The group, known as Thee Lay Thee, is the brainchild of Burma's most famous comedian, Zarganar, who supported anti-government protests in 2007 and is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for criticizing the government's response to Cyclone Nargis in 2008.
Thee Lay Thee became well known after a public performance in Rangoon in 2007 in which the troupe satirized the government's crackdown on monk-led protests in September of that year and the subsequent response of UN special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, who was widely derided by Burmese for being too soft on the ruling generals. Following that performance, the troupe went into self-imposed exile in Thailand and continued to perform for the Burmese diaspora across the globe.
This is the first group of exiles to return to Burma since Thein Sein made a statement last month inviting exiles who have not committed crimes to return to their homeland. Following that announcement, Godzilla said that he contacted the authorities in Rangoon and Burmese embassy officials in Bangkok, who promised him and his fellow group members safe passage back home.
The group consists of five male comedians and two female dancers. Two of the men and one woman have decided not to go back home yet, one of them saying they will wait for the release of Zarganar before returning and for the government repeat its offer, with further details, in a formal decree.
The division within the group reflects the differing views of Burmese exiles to Thein Sein's offer, which is widely seen as part of an effort by his nominally civilian government to improve its international image. Many exiles have said that they will not return until more than 2,000 political prisoners in Burma have been released from jail.
Godzilla said that his return and that of several other members of the group did not involve a deal between them and the Burmese authorities. He added that in future performances inside Burma, he and other group members would continue to point out “the flaws of the state.” They will also visit Zarganar, jailed in Myitkyina prison in northern Burma, he said.
2011.09.12 The Irrawaddy - Exiled Comedy Troupe Returns to Burma
Burmese version Bur ျမန္မာ 2011.09.12 The Irrawaddy
2011.09.12 DVB - exiled comedians return home
Burmese version Bur ျမန္မာ DVB - exiled comedians return home