Elephant Santas deliver Christmas presents at Thai school
An elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume distributes a doll to students during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
AYUTTHAYA, Thailand (Reuters) - Elephants dressed as Santa Claus gave out presents and candy to students in Thailand in an annual Christmas tradition in the mostly Buddhist country.
The Christmas celebration at the Jirasartwitthaya school in Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, has run for 15 years.
Students dressed in Santa hats stand near elephants wearing similar hats as the troupe of elephants distribute Christmas presents to them at a school in the historical city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 23, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
This year four elephants and their mahouts, also wearing Santa hats, visited the school and gave away presents to the students, said Lardthongtare Meepan, owner of the Ayuttahaya Elephant Palace, an elephant camp.
"The highlight is not only handing out presents, but also students and elephants are forming a Christmas tree together," he said.
The elephants danced and showed off tricks to students.
An elephant distributes Christmas presents to students at a school in the historical city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 23, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
"I'm very happy to see them and they are very cute. I love elephants because it dances very cute," says Patcharamon Sukpiromsunti, a primary school student.
The elephant is Thailand's national animal and appears throughout history and literature.
"It makes me feel like I have a lot of friends. The elephants handing out candies, toys, dolls and so many other things," student Pasitha Sithapak said.
A teacher dressed in a Santa Claus costume poses for a photo with Elephants during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
Thailand is 98% Buddhist, but celebrates Christmas as part of the year-end holiday season.
(Reporting by Artorn Pookasook and Jiraporn Kuhakan, Writing by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Michael Perry)
Students dressed in Santa Claus costumes take part during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaAn elephant dressed in a Santa Claus performs for students during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaTeachers and students dressed in Santa Claus costumes take part during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaAn elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume paints on a placard during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaAn elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume distributes a doll to students during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaElephants dressed in Santa Claus costumes distribute gifts to students during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaAn elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume distributes a doll to students during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaElephants, teachers and students dressed in Santa Claus costumes parade during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaAn elephant distributes Christmas presents to students at a school in the historical city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 23, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya TunAn elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume distributes a doll to students during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaElephants, teachers and students dressed in Santa Claus costumes parade during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaElephants and a teacher dressed in Santa Claus costumes distribute gifts to students during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaA student dressed in a Santa Claus costume looks on during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaA troupe of elephants visit a school to distribute Christmas presents in the historical city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 23, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya TunStudents dressed in Santa hats stand near elephants wearing similar hats as the troupe of elephants distribute Christmas presents to them at a school in the historical city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 23, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya TunAn elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume distributes a doll to students during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 22, 2017. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha TPX IMAGES OF THE DAYAn elephant distributes Christmas presents to students at a school in the historical city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 23, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya TunA student waits as she takse part in a visit with a troupe of elephants (unseen) to distribute Christmas presents to students in a school at the historical city of Ayutthaya, Thailand December 23, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya TunStudents dressed in Santa hats and beards participate in a visit by a troupe of elephants (unseen) to distribute Christmas presents at a school in the historical city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 23, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya TunStudents wait as a troupe of elephants (unseen) visit a school to distribute Christmas presents in the historical city of Ayutthaya, Thailand December 23, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
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