Escaping the Tatmadaw
Following is an excerpt from the stunning interview with Su Thit, the wife of a defected soldier who, after escaping the Tatmadaw and is still in hiding herself, established an organization to encourage other military families to do the same. In this excerpt, she describes why she and her husband decided to leave the army, and some of the details around their escape, although much cannot be told for reasons of safety. We are so impressed with the courageous work that Su Thit continues to do, and as she reminds us, no matter how many weapons a military has, it doesn’t matter if no one is there to use them! If you would like to support her mission, please consider a donation.
“We didn’t do this just because of our beliefs. We did this for our future generations as well.”
Host: What were your and your husband’s feelings when the coup was launched?
Su Thit: Both my husband and I were devastated to hear the news of the coup. We felt like our future had disappeared, and a dark cloud had covered our country. I couldn’t even think of what I would do the next day. I think all Myanmar people felt like I did. The generals robbed us of our futures, and dreams. Now, we are going to take it back.
Host: Why did he decide to defect? Please walk me through the conversations you had regarding this possibility and why you both decided to follow through with it.
Su Thit: Yes, he told me how he felt the worst when soldiers acted like terrorists to civilians who are armless. My husband felt helpless when he couldn’t help the civilians, but he also could not be on the side of the same people who are acting like terrorists. That is why he decided to participate in the CDM movement.
We didn’t do this just because of our beliefs. We did this for our future generations as well. Although I don’t have any children now, I do not want my children to be born under a dictatorship. I want them to be born under a democratic state. I am sure our sons and daughters can be proud of us for what we are doing in this revolution.
Host: Once he decided to defect, how did you get to safety?
Su Thit: I cannot tell you the details because of security reasons, but what you should know is that defection is a very difficult and dangerous path. We were also so worried the military might arrest any one of us along our journeys. After my husband made the decision to leave the military, our main priority was to get to safety. We secretly discussed just the two of us on how we will do. It was a long journey, but we made it. We are fortunate, because there are so many soldiers who cannot take this journey because it is still unsafe for them. We just didn’t get to safety. We got to freedom. But we must help other soldiers who are still prisoners inside the military defect to freedom.
Host: Describe a little about the conditions you are living in now, regarding safety and basic needs.
Su Thit: Again, I cannot tell the specifics because of security concerns, but what I can tell you is that we are living in basic conditions. What is for sure is that all those who joined CDM left all their possessions behind like family, house, friends, and so on. That is why I am trying to help not just defected soldiers, but also their family members. There are other children, including infants, and wives of defected soldiers that have made this big sacrifice.