This viral hippo Moo-Deng is in Thailand?!

Yeah, Moo Deng is at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, about an hour from Bangkok. The zoo itself is pretty solid for a day trip, especially if you like seeing animals in more open enclosures rather than cramped cages. The pygmy hippo exhibit gets packed on weekends, so if you can go on a weekday morning you'll have a much better time. Entry is only around 150 baht for adults, so it's not a big investment if you're just curious about the hippo.

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I went last month and honestly the hippo was the highlight, but the place itself is bigger than people expect. You can easily spend half a day there wandering around, and they've got these little electric carts you can rent if the heat gets to you, which it will. Just bring your own snacks, the food court inside is overpriced and not that good.

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worth it if u go on a weekday, weekends are a zoo of people honestly. the hippo enclosure is small so u gotta be patient, but she's hilarious when she splashes around. if u're already in bkk, take the BTS to samrong then a van from the bus station, costs like 60 baht total. also check out the penguin walk while ur there, it's random but kinda charming.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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