Thai mahouts ride atop their elephants as the arrive for festivities Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the 49th Surin Elephant Roundup in Surin, Thailand. The event brings together mahouts and elephants from all over Thailand. 
A Thai beauty queen and mahout are shown in a parade Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, during festivities at the 49th Surin Elephant Roundup in Surin, Thailand. The event brings together mahouts and elephants from all over Thailand. Once used for logging and transportation elephants today in Thailand have been replaced largely by cheap motorcycles and tractors.
Thai dancers perform during festivities Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the 49th Surin Elephant Roundup in Surin, Thailand. The event brings together mahouts and elephants from all over Thailand.
A Thai mahout with a baby elephant waits to sell sugar cane as feed for the animal at the 49th Surin Elephant Roundup in Surin, Thailand, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. The event brings together mahouts and elephants from all over Thailand. Once used for logging and transportation elephants today in Thailand have been replaced largely by cheap motorcycles and tractors.
Thais and others gather to offer food to elephants during festivities Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the 49th Surin Elephant Roundup in Surin, Thailand. The event brings together mahouts and elephants from all over Thailand.
A Thai traditional dancer waits to perform during festivities Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the 49th Surin Elephant Roundup in Surin, Thailand. The event brings together mahouts and elephants from all over Thailand.
Dressed in period costumes Thai mahouts arrive atop their elephants during festivities Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the 49th Surin Elephant Roundup in Surin, Thailand. The event brings together mahouts and elephants from all over Thailand.
Thais dance to traditional music during festivities Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the 49th Surin Elephant Roundup in Surin, Thailand. The event brings together mahouts and elephants from all over Thailand.
Thais and other gather during festivities Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the 49th Surin Elephant Roundup in Surin, Thailand. The event brings together mahouts and elephants from all over Thailand.
Thai mahouts and their elephants take part in a buffet during festivities Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the 49th Surin Elephant Roundup in Surin, Thailand. The event brings together mahouts and elephants from all over Thailand.
Thai Mahouts in period costumes arrive atop their elephants for festivities Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the 49th Surin Elephant Roundup in Surin, Thailand. The event brings together mahouts and elephants from all over Thailand.
credit photo: AP
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