Trump, Putin, Xi and Kim draw crowds at Bangkok’s Mount Rushmore stunt

A creative mall display in Thailand turns shopping trips into memorable photo moments

Last updated: September 27, 2025 | 00:10

Devadasan K P, Chief Visual Editor

2 MIN READ

A parody Mount Rushmore sculpture depicts the faces of Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L), China's President Xi Jinping (2nd L), North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un (2nd R), and US President Donald Trump (R) at "The Summit Camp" camping and outdoors experience at a shopping mall in Bangkok.

AFP

Dubai: Shoppers in Bangkok have been treated to an unusual sight — a towering replica of Mount Rushmore, but with a twist. Instead of the iconic faces of past US presidents, the installation at Seacon Square mall features four instantly recognisable contemporary world leaders: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump.

The stony likenesses form the centrepiece of a nearly two-week-long pop-up event at one of Thailand’s busiest shopping destinations. Surrounded by stalls selling camping gear and a climbing wall, the display is intended to draw in visitors with a mix of humour and spectacle.

Curious shoppers were seen snapping selfies and sharing the unexpected attraction across social media, where reactions ranged from amusement to bemusement. Organisers said the project was designed to “spark conversation” and bring a playful element to the retail space, rather than make a political statement.

Mount Rushmore, located in South Dakota, is famed for depicting four revered American presidents — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. The Bangkok re-creation flips the idea on its head, turning the shopping centre into a conversation starter and photo hotspot.

For now, it appears to be working — drawing crowds, sparking conversation, and adding a touch of spectacle to everyday shopping.

Video: AFP

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Devadasan K PChief Visual Editor

Devadasan K P is the Chief Visual Editor at Gulf News, bringing more than 26 years of experience in photojournalism to the role. He leads the Visual desk with precision, speed, and a strong editorial instinct. Whether he’s selecting images of royalty, chasing the biggest celebrity moments in Dubai, or covering live events himself, Devadasan is always a few steps ahead of the action. Over the years, he has covered a wide range of major assignments — including the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, feature reportage from Afghanistan, the IMF World Bank meetings, and wildlife series from Kenya. His work has been widely recognised with industry accolades, including the Minolta Photojournalist of the Year award in 2005, the Best Picture Award at the Dubai Shopping Festival in 2008, and a Silver Award from the Society for News Design in 2011. He handles the newsroom pressure with a calm attitude, a quick response time, and his signature brand of good-natured Malayali humour. There's no fuss — just someone who gets the job done very well, every single time.

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