Thai elephants kick off anti-gambling campaign ahead of World Cup

Elephants play soccer during an anti-gambling campaign for school children in Ayutthaya, Thailand June 12, 2018. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

AYUTTHAYA/BANGKOK (Reuters) - Elephants kicked off World Cup fever in Thailand's ancient capital of Ayutthaya on Tuesday, playing a soccer match to raise awareness against illegal gambling.

Nine elephants, painted with the flags of countries competing in 2018 World Cup in Russia, passed the ball to each other and swerved around the field in a 15-minute match against students from a local school.