High-flying stateless origami hero smashes own record before jetting to Japan

Speaking with reporters before leaving Wednesday night to participate in the Japan Origami Airplane Association competition in Chiba on Saturday and Sunday (September 19-20), a smiling Mong Tongdee said his paper craft stayed aloft for 13.12 seconds, breaking his old record of 12.50 seconds.

Earlier, he spent much time folding a more delicate origami paper plane, helping which results in longer flying times and distance, as well as exercising his arm muscles for a more powerful launch of the folded flyer.

The 12-year-old stateless boy from Ban Huay Sai Primary School in Chiang Mai again thanked all Thais for giving him the opportunity to join the contest, saying confidently that he would try his best to win the competition in the elementary school category.