Origami genius set to fly as Thailand grants passport
A BOY born in Thailand to Burmese migrants was granted a temporary passport so he can represent the kingdom at an origami competition in Japan.
Mong Thongdee, 12, captured the hearts of many Thais with his plea to be allowed to compete. TV stations showed him sobbing after the interior ministry denied his request on Wednesday.
Mong, whose folded paper planes can fly for up to 12 seconds at a time, said: "I really want to go. I have been practising hard, but the adults say I can't go because I have no citizenship."
The next day, he was ushered into parliament for a meeting with prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who promised he would provide a temporary visa.
Yesterday, Mong received a travel document for non-citizens, valid for one entry, the foreign ministry said.
The Origami Airplane contest takes place in Chiba, Japan, on 19-20 September.
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Wednesday 16 May 2012
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