Dec 19, 2008 (DVB), Famous actor Kyaw Thu, who is also vice president of the Free Funeral Service Society, has said he is leaving the world of film to concentrate on his art and charity work.

Kyaw Thu told DVB he had already completed several paintings.

"I have painted 16 already but they definitely won’t be allowed to be exhibited publicly," he said.

"There is a picture of roses with the title ‘Thorn’, another of a monk walking and one of three owls closing their mouth, eyes and ears."

His comments come as the Burmese film academy is selecting the winners for this year's awards.

"I am not involved in the film world anymore," he said.

"I will only do work that I believe in. I won’t do any job that I don't believe in," he continued.

"At the moment, I only believe in the funeral and social services. I will concentrate on that."

One of Kyaw Thu's films has been nominated for an award in the category of best film, but the actor said he did not expect it to win.

Kyaw Thu was a founder of the FFSS, which provides free funeral services to those who cannot afford them.

The fund also carried out relief work in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis and delivered assistance to survivors.

Last month, the FFSS was forced to move out of its offices in Rangoon and in Saku township, Magwe division, and has now relocated to North Dagon.

"We are starting to build the office but the problem is we have to build it on top of the dumping ground soil and that will be expensive," he explained.

Kyaw Thu said the organisation would continue to help cyclone victims as long as donations keep coming in, but said they could not construct new buildings because the authorities had not granted permission.

Reporting by Naw Say Phaw