Stateless boy 3rd in Japan paper airplane contest; offered scholarship

Myanmar Mong’s family and Mrs Kalaya Sophonpanich, Science and Technology Minister, as well as his supporters, warmly welcomed the origami boy and his teammates at Suvarnabhumi Airport after returning from the Japan Origami Airplane Association competition in Chiba.

During the past weekend’s competition, the origami-crafted paper airplane, called an ‘Oriplane’ of the talented 12-year-old boy stayed aloft for 10.53 seconds, receiving a bronze medal in the individual event for competitors aged 12 years old.

Meanwhile, Mong, as a part of a three-person team, including two adults, won the championship with his paper plane flying for 11 seconds.

Ms Kanlaya said the successful ethnic Myanmar student from Chiang Mai would be appointed as a young science ambassador, and granted him a scholarship until he completes his doctorate degree, a PhD.