Young origami enthusiast distraught after hopes of representing Thailand are grounded at immigration
A Burmese boy born in Thailand was unable to hold back tears yesterday when the Interior Ministry refused to support his request for a Thai passport.
Mong Thongdee, 12, needs the travel document to fulfil his dream of competing in the upcoming Origami Airplane Contest in Japan. The event takes place on September 19 and 20 in Chiba.
"I understand the authorities' decision," the boy said tearfully. "But I feel very upset."
Passport denied
Mong has been denied Thai citizenship because his parents, though working legally in Thailand, are Burmese.
"As an alien, he may not be allowed back in to Thailand if he leaves the country," Provincial Administration Department director general Wongsak Sawaspanich said yesterday.
He said the Interior Ministry could not relax the laws for Mong, a Grade-4 student at the Ban Huai Sai School in Chiang Mai.
Paper plane contest
Mong was invited to compete in Japan after his paper-plane design stayed airborne for more than 12 minutes to win a local contest. His school director, Duangrit Petima, then decided to help the boy by accompanying him to Bangkok to meet relevant authorities.
Aside from the Provincial Administration Department, Duangrit and Mong also called on the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Ministries desperate to help
Ministry spokesman Wimon Kidchob said they would issue a temporary passport for Mong only if the Interior Ministry gave its approval.
Only two non-Thai nationals had been granted such a document, said Wimon.
Wongsak said his department had to stick to the laws; if an exception were made for Mong, it would create a loophole that others could exploit.
"We must take laws and national security into account no matter how much we want to help," Wongsak said.
After hearing the discussion between Wongsak and his school director, Mong looked distraught.
"I have practised so hard. It's a huge disappointment to miss out on the trip to Japan," he said.
But he is refusing to be discouraged.
"I will continue practising. I also want to send my best wishes to the Thai representative who will be competing Japan. But I hope that one day I'll be able to travel for such contests too."