Santa rides elephants to Thai town, bearing gifts of face masks

Mahouts dress elephants as Santa Claus to help distribute face masks to students, in an effort to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), ahead of Christmas celebrations at a school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, December 23, 2020. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

AYUTTHAYA, Thailand (Reuters) - Santa Claus gave his sleigh and reindeer a break on Wednesday and rode elephants in Thailand during a special Christmas visit aimed at raising awareness about the threat of the coronavirus.

White-bearded handlers in floppy hats and Santa outfits sat atop elephants decked out in tinsel and trunk masks in the central province of Ayutthaya, distributing protective masks in baskets to schoolchildren, motorcyclists and drivers passing by.