It now seems certain that Mong, the under-twelve paper airplane champion of Thailand will not be allowed to go to Japan to compete in an international event.
'Mong was born in Thailand to Burmese labourers and has been denied Thai citizenship.
"Please help me to go to Japan," the boy begged Provincial Administration Department chief Vongsak Swasdipanich at the ministry. "I know that I do not have Thai nationality, so that will cost me the chance to attend the competition," the boy said, wiping tears from his cheeks,'
"Please help me to go to Japan," the boy begged Provincial Administration Department chief Vongsak Swasdipanich at the ministry. "I know that I do not have Thai nationality, so that will cost me the chance to attend the competition," the boy said, wiping tears from his cheeks,'
reports the Bangkok Post.
Thailand's Foreign Ministry was prepared to issue Mong with a temporary passport providing the Interior Ministry also gave their necessary approval. But they won't. They claim that by granting Mong Thai nationality it would set a precedent for tens of thousands of other stateless children. That maybe correct but the 'Interior Ministry refused to tackle this problem, whether on a temporary or long-term basis,' said the Bangkok Post in an editorial. The Ministry does have it within their powers to provide Mong with a temporary solution to his plight but it's all a little too difficult for them. Really, they just can't be 
bothered.
bothered.It seems that the folk at the Interior Ministry are paper-shufflers, not high-fliers. Ain't that the truth no matter what country you are in?
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