On November 9, it was reported that the pottery market in Ban Nong Sano village, Nakhon Ratchasima, has seen a surge in demand for a specific handmade sculpture: the "Moo Deng" pygmy hippo. Despite generally quiet sales due to the off-peak tourism season and economic challenges, this trendy figurine has become immensely popular, with orders backlogged well into next year. Local artisan Nisarat Phuklang, owner of Phra Khun Hin Sai shop, shared that her team has been working exclusively on “Moo Deng” sculptures to keep up with demand. Originally inspired by the hippo’s viral presence on social media, the sculpture quickly gained popularity, and her shop now has hundreds of pre-orders.

Nisarat explained that her partner’s skill in creating product molds allowed her shop to meet demand without hiring additional craftsmen. Previously, her shop had found success with popular online trends, including superhero and “Labubu” figures. However, with the explosion of interest in the "Moo Deng," the shop has temporarily halted all other production to focus on fulfilling the extensive pre-order list.