Why did Pablo Neruda become an honorary consul in Rangoon?

Pablo Neruda sought the position of honorary consul to Rangoon because his career as a poet did not provide a steady or reliable source of income. At the time, his financial future appeared uncertain, and he required a stable job to support himself.1

Despite securing the appointment, the role did not alleviate his financial struggles, as the position of honorary consul was unpaid, leaving him to live in abject poverty during his five-year tenure in Asia.1