When elephants turn Santa to cheer Thai school kids

Four elephants of all ages and sizes wearing red and white costumes handed out presents and wrapped candies to excited students, many of whom were also wearing Christmas costumes.

Ayutthaya: Elephants in Thailand's ancient capital dressed up as Santa Claus and visited a local school to spread Christmas cheer to children, on Monday.

Four elephants of all ages and sizes wearing red and white costumes handed out presents and wrapped candies to excited students, many of whom were also wearing Christmas costumes.

An elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume performs for children at the Jirasartwitthaya school during Christmas celebrations in Ayutthaya, on Monday.

The elephants from the nearby Royal Elephant Kraal are trained to interact with humans under the watchful eyes of mahouts.

An elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume performs for children at the Jirasartwitthaya school during Christmas celebrations in Ayutthaya, on Monday.

The troupe of elephants has been bringing Christmas magic to the local school children for the last 15 years, and the event has become an annual tradition for the town.

Elephants dressed in Santa Claus costumes sit with students at the Jirasartwitthaya school during Christmas celebrations in Ayutthaya, on Monday.

Thailand is a majority Buddhist country but in recent years more Thais have been drawn to Christmas festivities like gift-giving and holiday celebrations.