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Elephant Santas distributes face masks, hand gel to Thai children

by REUTERS

AYUTTHAYA Dec 24, 2021 - 12:41 pm GMT+3
Mahouts and their elephants hand out balloons to children during Christmas celebrations at the Jirasart Witthaya school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, Dec. 24, 2021. (AFP Photo)
Mahouts and their elephants hand out balloons to children during Christmas celebrations at the Jirasart Witthaya school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, Dec. 24, 2021. (AFP Photo)
by REUTERS Dec 24, 2021 12:41 pm

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-19-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.

Mahouts and their elephants pose for children during Christmas celebrations at the Jirasart Witthaya school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 24, 2021. (AFP Photo)
Mahouts and their elephants pose for children during Christmas celebrations at the Jirasart Witthaya school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 24, 2021. (AFP Photo)

The celebration at the Jirasartwitthaya school in Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, has run for more than 15 years and was especially important the last two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic and its virtual learning and lockdowns.

"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 organizer, Reangrhongbaht Meepan from the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace.

Thai schools closed schools again in April this year and rolled out vaccinations for high school students in October, ahead of staggered reopenings and alternating days of attendance.

A dancer performs in front of mahouts and their elephants during Christmas celebrations at the Jirasart Witthaya school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 24, 2021. (AFP Photo)
An elephant hands out gifts to children during Christmas celebrations at the Jirasart Witthaya school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 24, 2021. (AFP Photo)

On Friday, only 30% of classrooms were filled at Jirasartwitthaya.

"I'm so glad that I got a balloon from the elephant. My heart is pounding very fast," said student Biuon Greham, as other children took photos and selfies with the elephants, Thailand's national animal.

Thailand is 98% Buddhist, but it celebrates Christmas as part of the year-end holiday season.

Mahouts and their elephants hand out gifts to children during Christmas celebrations at the Jirasart Witthaya school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 24, 2021. (AFP Photo)
A girl stands near an elephant during the visit of five elephants in Santa Claus costumes with giant face masks, delivering hand sanitizers and promoting a "get vaccinated" message at a primary school, in the historical city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, December  24, 2021. (Reuters Photo)

Coronavirus cases in Thailand peaked in August this year, with 2.2 million total infections so far and 21,501 deaths.

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