BANGKOK — An American woman, known as Molly, gained attention on Thai social media after traveling 18.5 hours from New York to Thailand with the sole purpose of seeing Moo Deng, the beloved baby pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Her excitement was palpable as she shared clips of her journey on TikTok, starting with her arrival in Thailand on October 3.
In her first video, Molly expressed her elation, stating, “I’ve made it to Thailand! Today is the day I see Moo Deng! I am so freaking excited, the zoo just confirmed you can see her every day! I am on cloud nine!” Her enthusiasm resonated with netizens, particularly when she recounted her interaction with customs agents, who were surprised by her long-distance travel for a hippo.
Molly’s passion for Moo Deng caught the attention of a Khaosod reporter, who later tracked down the immigration officer who processed her entry. Police Lance Corporal Pichaya Arintamapong, a squad leader at the Immigration Bureau’s Inbound Division at Suvarnabhumi Airport, shared her experience of checking Molly’s passport.
Having recently graduated from Khon Kaen University with a degree in Business English, Police Lance Corporal Pichaya started her civil service career in June 2024 as part of a project to increase the number of immigration personnel, which was initiated under the previous Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s administration.
While on duty, she recalled the moment Molly approached her at the passenger checkpoint, beaming with excitement. After asking Molly the standard questions regarding her stay and purpose of visit, Pichaya was taken aback when Molly replied, “I came to Thailand to see Moo Deng.”
“I couldn’t believe it at first,” Pichaya admitted. “I asked her again and confirmed that she meant ‘Moo Deng.’” The conversation took a delightful turn as Pichaya inquired further about how Molly learned of the famous hippo.
Molly enthusiastically explained that Moo Deng was an iconic figure in Thailand and shared that her phone was filled with pictures of the hippo. She expressed her desire to see Moo Deng while she was still young, promising to return for a longer visit to explore more of Thailand.
Pichaya was charmed by Molly’s fervor and noted that the American tourist appeared energized despite her long flight. The immigration officer completed the process efficiently, telling Molly, “Enjoy Moo Deng,” which elicited laughter from both parties.
“Immigration work is a frontline job where we meet people entering the country. We represent Thai hospitality while balancing security,” said Police Lance Corporal Pichaya. “We strive to provide the best experience for all visitors.”
