The **MGI 2024 contestants** screamed in excitement as they met the adorable “Moo Deng” (a cute pig) and had a blast at the open zoo, where they also encountered the hottest hippopotamus celebrity at **Khao Kheow Open Zoo**!

     Before meeting Moo Deng, the group of contestants, along with executives Ms. Theresa Chaiwisut, Vice President of Miss Grand International, and Luciana Fuster, Miss Grand International 2023, departed from Terra Nara Pattaya Hotel to Terminal 21 Pattaya Mall for a shopping trip. They were welcomed by Ms. Hatairat Phoakhet, Director of Terminal 21 Pattaya Mall, who presented the contestants with gift vouchers for a personal shopping experience at the renowned shopping center.

     Afterward, the group left Terminal 21 and headed to Khao Kheow Open Zoo at 2:30 PM. The contestants wore white MGI2024 logo t-shirts paired with soft power pants, featuring symbols of various provinces such as crocodile pants from Pichit, Korat cat pants from Nakhon Ratchasima, and rhino fish pants from Uthai Thani, as well as the popular elephant pants of Thailand.

     They were warmly welcomed by Mr. Narongwit Chotchoy, Director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, who took them to see the adorable Moo Deng. Despite Moo Deng being asleep and unwilling to greet the contestants, the simple act of flicking its ears or turning its body still drew excited squeals from the contestants.

     The Miss Grand International 2024 organization officially requested permission from the Director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, under the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand, to visit the zoo as part of a tourism promotion initiative to showcase Thailand to the world through the eyes of international contestants. The zoo staff arranged for the contestants to have a brief, 10-minute viewing session to maintain order and avoid disturbing other visitors.

     In addition to meeting Moo Deng, the contestants were also interested in other animals at the zoo and made sure to buy souvenirs before heading to Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel in Bangkok, Rama 9, for their overnight stay.