Unique ordination ceremony in Thailand retained for over 170 years

Published on 12 Apr 2016 3:45:11 PM

An ordination ceremony on an elephant happens to be a unique, age old tradition passed down for generations in Sukhothai, Thailand.
The ceremony has been held annually for over 170 years by the Tai Phuan people here before the Thai New Year.
The Tai Phuan people were originally migrants from Laos during Thailand’s King Rama III’s reign.
Some 99 percent of them believe in Theravada Buddhism.
As part of the ceremony, the man taking part in the ordination rides on an elephant. Unlike other ordainees who are wrapped in a white cloth, the Tai Phuan ordainees are dressed in colourful, velvet fabric.