Santa rides elephants to Thai town, bearing gifts of face masks

[webfact]

Santa rides elephants to Thai town, bearing gifts of face masks

By Jiraporn Kuhakan

 

Mahouts dress elephants as Santa Claus to help distribute face masks to students, in an effort to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), ahead of Christmas celebrations at a school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 23, 2020. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

 

AYUTTHAYA, Thailand (Reuters) - Santa Claus gave his sleigh and reindeer a break on Wednesday and rode elephants in Thailand during a special Christmas visit aimed at raising awareness about the threat of the coronavirus.

 

White-bearded handlers in floppy hats and Santa outfits sat atop elephants decked out in tinsel and trunk masks in the central province of Ayutthaya, distributing protective masks in baskets to schoolchildren, motorcyclists and drivers passing by.

 

"They are funny and they are lovely. I think they are so cute," said elementary student Laksaporn Loetpiriyakamol.

 

The elephants have been paying year-end visits to schools in the area for two decades and normally give out gifts like candy and toys using their trunks.

 

This year, the pachyderms were social distancing, staying outside the schools and used their trunks to offer the face masks in baskets instead.

 

"These four elephants want to represent Thai Santa Claus to encourage people to wear masks, wash their hands and follow government instructions," said Itthi Pankhawlamai, who manages a local elephant park.

 

"I'm a little bit excited and sad because the elephants can't go into the school," said Pacharamon Sukphiromsanti, 12, who came out to greet the elephants at the gates.

 

Thai authorities are urging extra caution after its worst outbreak was confirmed at the weekend, at a seafood centre near Bangkok, with cases since detected in about a quarter of the country's provinces.

 

(Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Karishma Singh)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-12-23

 

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[kotsak]

Is that an adult diaper? 

[sammieuk1]

Santa for health minister a far more sensible solution ???? 

[PatOngo]

What a lovely Christian gesture! 

[Burma Bill]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

Santa rides elephants to Thai town

A couple of additional great photos to enjoy (from other media outlets);-

 

[John Drake]

Cultural appropriation! Nobody asked my permission and whether this is offensive or not!

[brain150]

It won't get any more stupid and childish than this !!!

 

Nothing Christian about it - it's Propaganda of the worst kind.

No respect for Christmas at all.

They should have called it Xmas to make it clear how stupid they are.

 

We are living in dark times ...

[Burma Bill]

For reference (just in case) - Wikipedia:-

 

As of 2015 just over one percent of the population of Thailand are Christians. Of that group, 400,000 are estimated to be Catholics.

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

Cultural appropriation! Nobody asked my permission and whether this is offensive or not!

Just don't drop your pants at a temple! ????