So here’s the deal. Apparently, the Thai people really, really love pandas. They love pandas so much that they are willing to paint their national animal, the elephant, to look just like over-sized smelly versions of the cuddly bears.
Keepers of Thailand’s Ayutthaya Elephant Kraal threw some paint on five of these huge rodentphobic mammals and paraded them through the streets, much to the pleasure of the Thai school children. Some seen to think that the elephant keepers have gone a little too far. But I look at it this way, at least these elephants aren’t being processed for meat, skin and ivory. I think the elephants look pretty happy considering. More pics after the jump.