Elephants march in Thailand to pay respects to newly crowned king
Ten elephants march near palace
Ten elephants painted white marched on Tuesday near Bangkok's Grand Palace to honour Thailand's newly crowned King Maha Vajiralongkorn, a day after ceremonies for his coronation ended.
The animals and their handlers from the ancient capital of Ayutthaya walked for a short stretch before paying their respects to a portrait of the king.
Portraits of King Rama X
Many among the crowd of enthusiastic onlookers held portraits of the king.
Thai people have been encouraged for the past month by the military government to wear yellow to signify devotion to the monarchy.
One of the many official titles King Vajiralongkorn is taking is Rama X, or the 10th king of the Chakri dynasty founded in 1782.
Elephant, a symbol of monarch
"I'm delighted because I've never seen this before in my 70 years," said motorcycle taxi driver Boonsueb Unnimit.
Elephants hold special significance in Thai history and culture.
"The elephant is a symbol of the monarch, a symbol of battles, as well as a symbol of peace and serenity," said Bangkok resident Panarat Panchuer, 61.
White elephant to be gifted to King
No elephants participated in the official coronation ceremonies, although the king to be presented with a white elephant, a gift that is considered especially auspicious, sometime later.
The three-day ceremonies started on Saturday, after a long period of official mourning for the king's revered father, who died in October 2016 having reigned for 70 years.
Water-based paint used to create appearance
Laithongrien Meepan, the owner of Ayutthaya's Elephant Kraal and Village, said he was pleased the elephants managed to stay calm on Tuesday despite the bustling crowd and the heat.
"We're here full of happiness and overwhelmed," he said.
A non-toxic, water-based paint mixed with powder was used to create the appearance of a white elephant without harming the animals, the Kraal centre said.
A mix of Buddhist-Hindu traditions
Although most coronation ceremonies for Thai kings follow Hindu Brahmin traditions, some Buddhist elements were added by the monarch's great-great grandfather King Mongkut, or Rama IV, because he spent 27 years in monkhood before inheriting the throne, scholars said.
Thailand ended absolute rule by its kings in 1932, but the monarchy remains highly revered as the divine symbol and protector of the country and Buddhist religion.
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