Trunk delivery: in Thailand, Santa hands out presents on elephants

Trunk delivery: in Thailand, Santa hands out presents on elephants

Mahouts dressed as jolly ol' St Nick led the gentle giants to a school in Ayutthaya province to hand out gifts to about 2,000 students.

Ho ho ho! Santa Claus arriving at the school in Ayutthaya province to bring joy to the students. (Reuters pic)
BANGKOK:
A trunk, rather than a red nose, is what Rudolph would need to join a herd of elephants helping Santa Claus deliver presents in Thailand.

Mahouts dressed as Santa led the gentle giants to a school in central Thailand to hand out Christmas presents to about 2,000 students this week, as part of an annual tradition.

Students lined the school courtyard and halls while the elephants approached slowly and unfurled their trunks to give out balloons, toys and dolls.

Here are images from the festivities held earlier this week in Ayutthaya province, about 80km north of the capital.

Instead of reindeer, jolly ol’ St Nick ambled up to the school on these gentle giants. (Reuters pic)
Joy on the children’s faces as they received gifts via ‘trunk mail’. (Reuters pic)
A festive crowd: all the young ones in anticipation of Santa’s arrival. (Reuters pic)
Merry Christmas, everybody! (Reuters pic)

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