AYUTTHAYA, Dec 23 – Four elephants from the Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal in central province of Ayutthaya have been dressed in Santa Claus costumes as part of a campaign to boost Thailand’s tourism during the Christmas and New Year holiday in Ayutthaya province.
Three male elephants–Kocharaj, Peter, Srimongkol–and one female named Sroysiri have been dressed in red and white costumes of the festive season and have distributed presents to small children which greatly put them and other visitors in a festive mood.
Royal Elephant Kraal and Village manager Ittipan Kaolamai told the press that the elephants have helped the Ayutthaya provincial office in promoting several New Year campaigns including an attempt to reduce the numbers of road accidents and the death toll. The Santa elephants will also participate in merit making activities on the morning of January 1 to start off the New Year auspiciously.
Mr Ittipan said a large number of travellers is expected to converge on Ayutthaya province to spend their vacations in the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays with the clever elephants.
