Sawatdee! Good to see you. I hope by now all your shopping is done. If anything, perhaps a little baking still to be done but it's time you took a break. Grab your mug. Wander over to the coffeepot. Pour yourself a mugful. Grab a muffin, doughnut or Christmas pastry then bring them over to the VIP table. I want to tell you how Thailand celebrates Christmas in a BIG BIG way...
Christmas holiday cheers have taken a creative form in Thailand. Elephants dressed in Santa costumes hand out Christmas treats to children.Santa Claus has come to town, but this time as a gentle giant.
Elephants in a resort province in Bangkok were dressed up in Santa costumes as they joined a Christmas parade that made its way to a school.
Six elephants with red covers danced and performed acrobatic stunts in front of 3,000 elementary school students.
Children screamed in delight and scrambled as the elephant Santas threw snacks, balloons, dolls, and pencil boxes.
Some tourists who joined the event also handed out gifts to the children.
Click here to watch the YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0espSVfY-9w
Julia Lamont from the Australian Tourist office in Thailand said: "I think people are very busy at home, you know, rushing around at the last minute. But this is nice to see children at school, enjoying themselves at this time. So It's lovely."
In return for the treats, the children and teachers handed out bananas to these friendly elephants.
Suphanon Pornsri, Elementary School Teacher, said: "Elephants and children are two things that really go together. So, the children really like this treat."
Thai elephants are an endangered species, and a national symbol in Thailand.
Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country, with Christians making up only about 0.7% of the population. However, you will see Christmas decorations throughout the country - especially in the major cities. Gift-giving happens in Thailand to celebrate the New Year but stores love to get into the spirit of Christmas. Apart from the obvious appeal to buyers, Thais generally love any excuse to party. That is why, for one thing, they celebrate New Years three times during the year ...the Western one on January 1st; Chinese New Year in late January or early February and then the Thai New Year (Sonkran) in mid-April. Party! Party! Party!
Julia Lamont from the Australian Tourist office in Thailand said: "I think people are very busy at home, you know, rushing around at the last minute. But this is nice to see children at school, enjoying themselves at this time. So It's lovely."
In return for the treats, the children and teachers handed out bananas to these friendly elephants.
Suphanon Pornsri, Elementary School Teacher, said: "Elephants and children are two things that really go together. So, the children really like this treat."
Thai elephants are an endangered species, and a national symbol in Thailand.
Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country, with Christians making up only about 0.7% of the population. However, you will see Christmas decorations throughout the country - especially in the major cities. Gift-giving happens in Thailand to celebrate the New Year but stores love to get into the spirit of Christmas. Apart from the obvious appeal to buyers, Thais generally love any excuse to party. That is why, for one thing, they celebrate New Years three times during the year ...the Western one on January 1st; Chinese New Year in late January or early February and then the Thai New Year (Sonkran) in mid-April. Party! Party! Party!
Get to bed early tonight. Santa's coming... but I don't think he's coming by elephant.
See ya, eh!
Bob
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