PATTAYA, THAILAND – An Italian chef created an unforgettable scene at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo when he proposed to his girlfriend in front of the famous dwarf hippo Moo Deng after preparing a special meal for the animal.
Romantic surprise at the zoo
The visiting chef in Thailand took part in a feeding activity and prepared special food for Moo Deng and the hippo’s mother Jona. As the couple watched the animal enjoy the meal, he suddenly produced an engagement ring.
He knelt down and asked his girlfriend to marry him, astonishing onlookers, including tourists and zoo staff, and prompting cheers from the crowd.
Moo Deng stays unimpressed
While the romantic scene unfolded, Moo Deng remained completely unfazed and focused on its food. This added a humorous touch to the event and drew laughter from those present.
Many visitors recorded the sweet moment on their phones, while the dwarf hippo continued in its own world.
Media interest and public reactions
Thai media quickly reported the story and described it as a “sweet moment at the zoo.” The zoo stated that the chef had cleverly drawn his girlfriend into the activity to set up the proposal.
The director of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo congratulated the couple on social media and noted that Moo Deng had served as an unwilling “witness” to the romantic event.
Viral spread on social media
The charming proposal rapidly went viral on Thai social media, with netizens and zoo fans expressing their joy and congratulations to the couple. According to the reports, such personal and humorous stories highlighted the unique experiences Thailand offered to international visitors.
Dwarf hippos like Moo Deng were described as a major attraction at the zoo, drawing large numbers of visitors.
