Elephants in Thailand wearing Santa hats and surgical masks passed out hand gel, face masks and balloons to students at a school's annual Christmas party, a Covid-era twist on a 15-year tradition in the Buddhist majority country.

“I'm so excited because an event like this only happens once a year and I think my school is the only place with elephant Santas,” said elementary school student, Beyapha Mhonsuwan.

“We know students have been stressed because of online classes, so we are hoping this event can make them happy and encourage them to come to school,” said the event's organiser, Reangrhongbaht Meepan from the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace.

Mahouts and their elephants prepare to take part in Christmas celebrations at the Jirasart Witthaya school in Ayutthaya. — AFP
Mahouts and their elephants prepare to take part in Christmas celebrations at the Jirasart Witthaya school in Ayutthaya. — AFP

An elephant hands out gifts to children during Christmas celebrations at the Jirasart Witthaya school in Ayutthaya. — AFP
An elephant hands out gifts to children during Christmas celebrations at the Jirasart Witthaya school in Ayutthaya. — AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...
A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...