Thai citizenship approved for paper airplane champion

BANGKOK, Aug 24 (TNA) – The Department of Provincial Administration approved the request of Mong Thongdee for Thai citizenship after he had waited for nine years. Mong Thongdee, the stateless child from Chiang Mai won the national paper airplane competition and represented Thailand to compete in the international contest in Japan in 2012. The boy then 12 won the competition and gained reputation for Thailand. The then-government promises to grant him Thai citizenship and scholarship to complete a doctoral degree. Without progress for several years, he decided to submit his request in July this year, citing that he made a contribution to the country and showing certificates and document that he has been residing in Thailand for more than 10 years. Mong, now 20, said he was very happy for the good news after he has been waiting for nine years. He is now a mentor for junior students of the Huay Sai school, participating in the paper airplane contest at Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok’s suburb. He said he will return to Chiang Mai and submit document to receive his Thai ID card on Sept 3. (TNA)