Screenshot of a Daily News story posted Sunday, April 20.
UPDATE: Mystery solved: Somali VIP identified as ‘important’ but ‘not a king’
We admit, we know embarassing little about Somalia, beyond it being the best place to be a 21st Century pirate or shoot down UH-60 Black Hawks.
But we’re handy with a Google search, which proved useful when local media began reporting about the visit of none other than Crown Prince “Bidaai Mohammed” of Somalia. Seems Prince Bidaai was in Pattaya to develop economic ties with the conflict-devastated African nation and, it would seem, Pattaya.
Only problem is that Somalia hasn’t had anything resembling a monarchy – in this case a sultanate – since 1926. (Thanks Wikipedia.) Don’t think it has much industry to export either.
Nonetheless, the Daily News reported the prince visited Pattaya’s Nongnuch Park on April 19 with Mustafa Oh-ia-say, Somali Ambassador to Thailand (there isn’t one); a secretary; and a Thai man named Sawad Pongwatchararak, a representatitve of the Puntland.
Welcoming them was Seksan Nakwang, the head of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Local media reported on Thai officials meeting with “Crown Prince” Bidaai Mohammed of Somalia months before his coronation. Somalia’s monarchy ended nine decades ago.
The prince told the Daily News it was a great time to visit Thailand before he is officially crowned the new King of Somalia in July. He wants investors to expand their businesses in Somalia.
But instead of a scam or impostor, it could be a case of miscommunication, according to someone who does know a few things about Somalia.
Susannah Price, communications chief of UNICEF’s Somalia Support Centre said it could be a case of mistaken identity.
“He may belong to a Sultan’s family – but there are probably lots of sultans in Puntland and they don’t really have any authority these days,” she wrote. “Maybe a bit like being a Lord in the UK.”
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