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Newsweek
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Watch as Moo Deng, Thailand's Viral Pygmy Baby Hippo, Celebrates Her First
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Thousands of fans gathered at Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo Thursday to celebrate the first birthday of Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippopotamus whose viral antics have captivated audiences around the globe. The four-day birthday event, which brought visitors from all over the globe, saw Moo Deng and her mom Jona presented with a huge tropical fruit platter 'birthday cake' which they both happily tucked into. Why It Matters Moo Deng's playful "temper tantrums" have captured the hearts of fans around the world since she was born on July 10, 2024. But her viral videos have done more than bring a smile to the faces of thousands of fans, they have also helped to raise awareness of pygmy hippos, which remain critically endangered, and the work being done on species conservation. They have also generated significant revenue and support for the zoo and its endangered species breeding programs. What To Know Several of pygmy hippo's most dedicated American fans even decided to jump on a plane and fly thousands of miles to help her celebrate her first birthday. "I just loved her so much and decided, you know what, I have three or four days off of work, I can make it work to fly to Thailand," said Molly Swindall, who traveled from New York for the celebrations, told the Associated Press. "I will only be there for about 30 hours, but that's enough to go see Moo Deng. And that's exactly what I did." Baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng eats fruit presented for her first birthday celebration at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) Baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng eats fruit presented for her first birthday celebration at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) Sakchai Lalit/AP Baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng eats fruit presented for her first birthday celebration at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) Baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng eats fruit presented for her first birthday celebration at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) Sakchai Lalit/AP Baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng eats fruit presented for her first birthday celebration at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) Baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng eats fruit presented for her first birthday celebration at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) Sakchai Lalit/AP FILE -Two-month-old baby hippo Moo Deng and her mother Jona are seen at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File) FILE -Two-month-old baby hippo Moo Deng and her mother Jona are seen at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File) Sakchai Lalit/AP Swindall was among the 12,000 visitors who flooded into the zoo on Thursday to snatch a glimpse of the birthday girl. Fans sung "happy birthday" and snapped photos of Moo Deng, who seemed unphased by all the extra attention. The zoo even held online auctions to allow people to sponsor the hippo's birthday, with all the proceeds going to raise funds for the zoo. Who is Moo Deng? Moo Deng was born on July 10, 2024, to mother Jona and father Tony at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand. She quickly stood out with her rosy cheeks and mischievous personality, garnering millions of views after her keepers began posting her antics online. The public chose her name—meaning "bouncy pork"—via social media poll, fitting within her family's tradition of pork-themed names. Moo Deng is the seventh calf from her parents and shares her enclosure with siblings possessing similar monikers. Her fame has inspired a slew of Halloween costumes, fan art, and even her own catchy pop song, released by GMM Music. Comedian Bowen Yang depicted Moo Deng in an "SNL" skit, echoing her widespread popularity. What Zoo is Moo Deng At? Moo Deng resides at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, approximately two hours east of Bangkok. The facility spans about 800 hectares and is home to over 2,000 animals, including critically endangered species such as the pygmy hippopotamus. Even as daily numbers have returned to pre-fame levels, the zoo credits Moo Deng both with boosting visitor admissions and generating additional support for its breeding and conservation initiatives. Her enclosure has become the centerpiece, adorned with signs and keepsakes for tourists and fans. Zoo officials have partnered with companies to sell Moo Deng-themed merchandise and even trademarked her name to ensure funds benefit animal care. How Big Will Moo Deng Get? Pygmy hippopotamuses are significantly smaller than their common hippo cousins, but still impressive in size. Adults typically measure between two and a half and three feet tall at the shoulder and grow about five feet in length, with a weight range of 350 to 600 pounds. What People Are Saying Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoy told the Associated Press on Thursday, "Moo Deng is a representative of all wild animals, and she helps everyone understand the roles of zoos. She speaks for all nearly extinct animals, and turns people's attention to their conservation." Attapon Srihayrun, Director of the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand, told Newsweek: "Moo Deng's meteoric rise to fame was extremely unexpected, but it's been really wonderful to see increased interest in the zoo and learning about the animals." Thea Chavez, who flew into Thailand from Houston, Texas, to visit Moo Deng, told AP, "Moo Deng is my happy pill, and she's my energy pill, my curing pill. She's my vitamin!" The Khao Kheow Open Zoo announced on Facebook, "She's an icon, an idol & our ultimate bestie. Today we're celebrating Moo Deng's 1st birthday!" What Happens Next Moo Deng's legacy continues to expand, with recent announcements of a limited-edition collectible toy and a multi-lingual pop song further cementing her place as a global pop culture icon. This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
Nikkei Asia
4 days ago
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
Thailand's Cabinet withdraws a controversial bill to legalize casinos
Thai Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, second from right, speaks to the media at Government House in Bangkok on July 8. He called the delay in legalizing casinos regrettable. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) BANGKOK (AP) -- Thailand's Cabinet on Tuesday withdrew a controversial bill that aims to legalize casinos, moving after the prime minister was suspended last week over an ethics investigation. Deputy Minister of Finance Julapun Amornvivat said the government only wants to delay the bill and will reintroduce it at an appropriate time. He cited the current political situation and the Cabinet reshuffle as factors in the decision.
The Star
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Suspended Thai PM says she's sorry, accepts court's decision
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra leaves Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, after Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended the prime minister from office pending an investigation over a leaked phone call with a former Cambodian leader. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) BANGKOK: Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (pic) said on Tuesday (July 1) she accepts the Constitutional Court's decision to suspend her from her premiership pending a case seeking her dismissal. "I want to apologise to people who are upset by all of this," she told reporters, "I will continue to work for the country as a Thai citizen." The 38-year-old politician has come under fire following the leak of a politically sensitive telephone conversation with Cambodia's influential former leader Hun Sen last month. - Reuters
Japan Today
23-06-2025
- Japan Today
Thai authorities seize more than 2 tons of crystal methamphetamine worth over $90 million
Department of Special Investigation officers stand guard near packages of nearly 2.4 tons of crystal methamphetamine, which were disguised as bags of corn flour, during a news conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) Thai authorities seized more than 2 metric tons of crystal methamphetamine from a tourist boat near a pier in eastern Thailand before the drugs could be smuggled out of the country, officials said Monday. Eight men were arrested Saturday in Rayong province for allegedly attempting to smuggle the nearly 2.4 metric tons (2.6 tons) through the southern border, officials said. They did not elaborate on the intended destination or the drugs' origin. If sold abroad, the drugs are estimated to be worth over 3 billion baht ($90.8 million), Thailand's Department of Special Investigation said. The drugs were packed in plastic bags disguised as corn flour packages. Each contained about one kilogram. Authorities said they also seized a van and a truck believed to be involved in the drug smuggling. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra thanked officials for their efforts and told a news conference that 'the government is serious about our policies on drugs." United Nations experts have said neighboring Myanmar is the source of most of the region's methamphetamine and heroin. A report from the U.N. drug agency last month said the illicit trade in methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs is growing quickly in Southeast Asia, with a record level of seizures in 2024 — 236 tons — a 24% increase over 2023. The 'Golden Triangle,' where the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet, is famous for the production of opium and heroin, which flourished largely because of the remote location and lax law enforcement. In recent decades, methamphetamine has supplanted opium and heroin because it is easier to make on an industrial scale. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Toronto Sun
23-06-2025
- Toronto Sun
Two tons of crystal meth worth $90M seized in Thailand before it could be smuggled out
The drugs were packed in plastic bags disguised as corn flour package Published Jun 23, 2025 • 1 minute read Department of Special Investigation officers stand guard near packages of nearly 2.4 tons of crystal methamphetamine, which were disguised as bags of corn flour, during a news conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, June 23, 2025. Photo by Sakchai Lalit / AP BANGKOK — Over 2 metric tons of crystal methamphetamine has been seized from a tourist boat near a pier in Eastern Thailand before it was smuggled out of the country, local authorities said Monday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Eight men were arrested Saturday in Rayong province for allegedly attempting to smuggle the nearly 2.4 metric tons (2.6 tons) through the southern border, officials said. They did not elaborate on the intended destination or the drugs' origin. If sold abroad, the drugs are estimated to be worth over 3 billion baht ($90.8 million), Thailand's Department of Special Investigation said. The drugs were packed in plastic bags disguised as corn flour packages. Each contained about one kilogram. Authorities said they also seized a van and a truck believed to be involved in the drug smuggling. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra thanked officials for their efforts and told a press conference that 'the government is serious about our policies on drugs.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. United Nations experts have said neighboring Myanmar is the source of most of the region's methamphetamine and heroin. A report from the U.N. drug agency last month said the illicit trade in methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs is growing quickly in Southeast Asia, with a record level of seizures in 2024 — 236 tons — a 24% increase over 2023. The 'Golden Triangle,' where the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet, is famous for the production of opium and heroin, which flourished largely because of the remote location and lax law enforcement. In recent decades, methamphetamine has supplanted opium and heroin because it is easier to make on an industrial scale. Toronto Maple Leafs Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Relationships Editorials
