Over the long weekend, Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri welcomed over 30,000 visitors, thanks to free admission for children under 12 and adults over 60 in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great’s Memorial Day on Sunday.
Zoo director Narongwit Chodcoy noted that the surge in attendance was largely driven by the popularity of Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippopotamus calf. Before Moo Deng became an internet sensation, daily visitors averaged around 600-700, but on Saturday, the zoo saw more than 10,000 guests eager to see the calf and other animals.
This influx led to long lines and significant traffic jams, with backups stretching several kilometers from the zoo’s entrance. By 9 a.m. on Sunday, a three-kilometer traffic jam had formed as excited visitors traveled from all over the country. Krittanan Prempreeda from Samut Sakhon shared that he left home at 3 a.m., but upon arriving at 7 a.m., he was met with a large crowd already waiting to enter.
In addition to the free admission, Khao Kheow Open Zoo announced on social media that Moo Deng-themed T-shirts would be available for purchase at the zoo until Monday, though they are not offered online. Moo Deng, born on July 10, quickly gained fame through the “Kha Moo & the Gang” Facebook page, where her keepers regularly share updates and adorable photos.
