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.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Scottish independence: David Cameron set to snub Alex Salmond’s separation talks bid
- Six Nations: Wales 27-13 Scotland: Second-half scoring blitz stuns Scots
- Six Nations: Steadman given notice as ruthless Robinson seeks to strengthen team
- The Rumour Mill: Monday’s football news and gossip
- Baftas: The Artist wins big as Meryl Streep wins best actress
- Scottish independence: David Cameron set to snub Alex Salmond’s separation talks bid
- Jim Murphy warns that independence could cost ‘thousands’ of defence jobs
- The Rumour Mill: Monday’s football news and gossip
- Kilmarnock 1 - 1 Hearts: Suso equaliser and Sergio snub ensure a sour end for Shiels
- Six Nations: Wales 27-13 Scotland: Second-half scoring blitz stuns Scots
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: West
