September 14, 2024: Moo Deng must be wondering what on earth is going on. And her curiosity is limited to what’s happening in front of her _ the human crowds of converging near her, the sounds of phone cameras clicking and the banana thrown at her because the visitors wanted to wake her up so they can take cute photos.
As to what’s happening elsewhere, she absolutely has no idea. The Guardian, NHK and BBC _ to name just a few _ have written about her. Posts about the pygmy hippopotamus have been shared on the social media, generating engagements that could put Kamala Harris to shame. Now that we are at it, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra should have carried her while visiting flooded areas in the North.
Posters and coins are being advertised.
Being famous without having to hide or pretend is the luxury of being a zoo star (as long as her privacy and child rights are not abused, that is). That is not the best thing, though. The best thing is that once the popularity wanes, she will not feel bad when, the Paetongtarn and Kamala Harris jokes aside, cameras stop clicking and her stories disappear from news websites.
That is a blessing (again, as long as the current frenzy does not go too far).
Daily updates of local and global situations by Tulsathit Taptim
