Thai Officer Shares Lovely Moment with American Tourist’s 18-Hour Flight for ‘Moo Deng’

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Police Lance Corporal Pichaya Arintamapong (left), a squad leader at the Immigration Bureau's Inbound Division at Suvarnabhumi Airport and her colleague laugh about the adorable moment when an American female tourist said she came to Thailand to see Moo Deng, the famous pygmy hippo star.

BANGKOK — Molly, an American woman who flew 18.5 hours from New York to Thailand specifically to see Moo Deng, the famous baby pygmy hippo of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, became known to Thai netizens when she posted many clips about her trip on TikTok.

“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 everyday! I am on cloud nine!!!” was the first message with a clip she posted when she arrived in Thailand on October 3.

In another clip, she mentioned that customs agents in Thailand couldn’t believe it when she told them she came to Thailand for the first time to see Moo Deng.

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Molly, an American tourist, posted numerous clips about her trip where she traveled 18.5 hours from New York to see Moo Deng, the famous pygmy hippo star in Thailand.

Later, a Khaosod reporter found the immigration officer who checked Molly’s passport. Her name is Police Lance Corporal Pichaya Arintamapong, a squad leader serving at the Immigration Bureau’s Inbound Division at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

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Police Lance Corporal Pichaya graduated from Khon Kaen University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, majoring in Business English. She just started her civil service career in June 2024 as part of the Immigration Bureau’s personnel increase project, following the then-Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s policy, which added 330 new officers.

The female immigration officer recounted that while she was on duty at the passenger checkpoint, Miss Molly approached with a smiling face. She asked Miss Molly the usual questions about the duration of her stay and the purpose of her visit. The passenger replied, “I came to Thailand to see Moo Deng.”

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Police Lance Corporal Pichaya Arintamapong (left), a squad leader at the Immigration Bureau’s Inbound Division at Suvarnabhumi Airport and her colleague

She admitted that when she first heard it, she couldn’t believe it. So she asked again and got the confirmation that it was indeed “Moo Deng.” At that moment, she was stunned and thought of the famous hippo named Moo Deng, so she further inquired, “How do you know about Moo Deng?”

Miss Molly explained that Moo Deng is iconic, and her phone was full of Moo Deng’s pictures. She wanted to see Moo Deng while it was still young, and she assured that she would definitely come back next time for a longer visit to explore Thailand.

Police Lance Corporal Pichaya said that at that moment, she was amazed that someone had traveled so far just to see Moo Deng. She found the passenger’s enthusiasm endearing, as she spoke about Moo Deng with a happy expression and gleaming eyes, not seeming tired despite the long journey.

She then quickly processed the immigration check and said to Molly, “Enjoy Moodeng,” which made both Molly and herself laugh together.

“Immigration work is a frontline job where we meet people entering the country. We have to represent Thai people in welcoming and screening those who enter the country, balancing friendliness with security, and doing our best,” Police Lance Corporal Pichaya said.

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