U Kyaw Thu

U Kyaw Thu (born Kyaw Win, November 2, 1959, Yangon)

Actor · Film Director · Humanitarian

A leading figure in Burmese cinema from the 1980s through the 1990s, U Kyaw Thu has starred in over 200 films and directed multiple projects, earning two Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards:
- Best Actor in Da‑Byi‑Thu Ma Shwe Hta (1994)
- Best Director for Amay No Bo (2003) Wikipedia+12Wikipedia+12Wikipedia+12
Known for prioritizing artistic integrity, he initially refused to act in propaganda films, only accepting one in 1994—resulting in his first award, though he publicly considered it a lesser work Wikipedia.

In 2001, Kyaw Thu co-founded the Free Funeral Service Society in Yangon with film director U Thukha and his wife, Myint Myint Khin Pe, prompted by the steep costs and cultural taboos surrounding funerals for the poor Wikipedia+12Wikipedia+12Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation+12.
FFSS has carried out 150,000+ free funerals, serving Yangon’s poorest regardless of race, religion, or status World Mission Magazine+4RVA+4Buddhistdoor Global+4.
The organization operates with:
- 100+ staff and hundreds of volunteers
- 5–12 hearses driven by Kyaw Thu himself
- Emergency ambulance services, free healthcare clinics, vocational classes, a library, and low-cost dialysis centers Buddhistdoor Global+1Daily Sabah+1World Mission Magazine+4RVA+4Buddhistdoor Global+4Wikipedia+13Wikipedia+13Daily Sabah+13.
Since 2007, FFSS medical services have treated over 143,000 patients, including eye surgeries and maternal care Boo+7Wikipedia+7Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation+7.

Ramon Magsaysay Award (2015), Asia’s premier award for public service, “for his generous compassion in addressing the fundamental needs of both the living and the dead in Myanmar… and mobilizing others to serve the greater social good.” Daily Sabah+4Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation+4RVA+4
Other honors include the NED award (2012), Citizen of Burma accolade, and local community accolades Wikipedia.

Actively supported Buddhist monks during the 2007 Saffron Revolution, providing alms and medical aid—leading to a ban on his film career by the military junta Wikipedia+6Wikipedia+6Daily Sabah+6.
Following the 2021 military coup, FFSS mobilized emergency aid and medical response for protesters, declined services to security personnel, and was raided by junta forces; Kyaw Thu and his wife were later charged under Article 505(a) for supporting civil disobedience Daily Sabah+10Wikipedia+10Wikipedia+10.

A devout Buddhist, he sees funeral rites as essential moral duties. A pivotal conversation with a monk spurred him to redirect his fame toward service rather than fame alone Daily Sabah+2Buddhistdoor Global+2Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation+2.
He’s known for humility, often personally attending funerals, driving hearses, and rejecting fame in favor of compassion—famously stating that he now “belongs to the people.” Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation
Even after decades, he remains grounded and mission-driven: “Some say I must not die, that I’m essential—but I am just a human being… clones of this mission will continue.” The Irrawaddy.

U Kyaw Thu (ဦးကျော်သူ)
Actor & Director · Founder & President, Free Funeral Service Society

Two-time Myanmar Academy Award winner with over 200 films
Co-founded FFSS in 2001 to offer free funeral services and basic healthcare, serving over 150,000 cases
2015 Ramon Magsaysay laureate for humanitarian service
Civic activist during both 2007 and 2021 crises; banned and persecuted by military regimes for dissent