Thailand has found a cute and creative way to welcome tourists during the country’s famous Songkran Festival, by greeting them with adorable dolls of Moo Deng, the Internet-famous pygmy hippopotamus. Passengers arriving at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and five other major airports in Thailand over the weekend were in for a pleasant surprise when they saw trays of Moo Deng dolls riding the luggage conveyor belts. According to the Bangkok Post, the dolls were dressed in colourful, floral shirts, matching the joyful spirit of Songkran, which is also known as the world’s biggest water fight.
The doll drop was part of a special campaign by Airports of Thailand Plc, the agency that runs several airports across the country. A total of 2,800 limited edition Moo Deng dolls were made and shared at six airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang in Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai. The gesture was meant to add a cheerful, local touch to the holiday experience for arriving travellers.
Viral Video: Pygmy Hippo Moo Deng Welcomes Tourists at Thai Airports
In a video that quickly went viral, the Moo Deng dolls can be seen rotating on the baggage belts, right next to passengers’ suitcases. Many people were delighted to pick them up as unique souvenirs.
Last year, she took the internet by storm, inspiring a flood of memes, fan art, and merchandise. But Moo Deng’s influence didn’t stop there, she soon found her way into the beauty world too. A trend called “Moo Deng makeup,” aiming to recreate her signature glow, started gaining traction across TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms.
Moo Deng, born on July 10, became a social media sensation last year. The tiny pygmy hippo won hearts online with its small size and playful charm. By September, the hippo’s sweet nature and funny expressions quickly turned it into an online celebrity.
For those unaware, it started with zookeeper Attapon Nundee sharing videos of Moo Deng during the Covid-19 lockdown, capturing the hearts of viewers online. Now, Moo Deng is being celebrated as a symbol of happiness and local pride, and fans are calling it their “spirit animal”.
This special airport welcomes ties in with the Songkran Festival, which started on April 13 and ran until April 15. The traditional Thai New Year celebration includes pouring scented water over Buddha statues, washing elders' hands to seek blessings, making temple donations, and playful water fights in the streets.
/shethepeople/media/agency_attachments/2024/11/11/2024-11-11t082606806z-shethepeople-black-logo-2000-x-2000-px-1.png){kind=logo}
/shethepeople/media/member_avatars/4FGyuvwBciC6LndcgpY2.jpeg )
Follow Us/shethepeople/media/media_files/2025/04/16/fnYniKq74OjTTkUw9d2h.png)