Santa Claus arriving on elephants handed out sweets and Christmas gifts to students at the Jirasartwitthaya school in Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok. To the delight of the children, four elephants in red blankets with a white border brought Santa Claus to the feast dressed in red jackets and pointed caps with white pompons. After distributing the long-awaited gifts, the elephants danced and showed tricks to the delighted young spectators.
This tradition was established here 15 years ago, said Lardthongtare Meepan, owner of a local nursery that contains tamed forest giants, the so-called Ayuttahaya Elephant Palace.
"The highlight is not only handing out presents, but also students and elephants are forming a Christmas tree together," he said.
Despite the fact that 98% of the Thai population is Buddhist, Christmas is celebrated here with great fun. It is not surprising that it was the elephant, the national animal of Thailand, that was chosen as the riding animal of the overseas good wizard - this is more familiar and much more spectacular, the inhabitants of the country of eternal summer believe.
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