WORLD : An Unforgettable Elephant Ride
A two-hour ride on the back of an elephant has changed the life of a Swiss tourist. That night she married the elephant keeper, official radio reported.
Radio Thailand said Anouk Tschabold, 22, was smitten with the elephant keeper, or mahout , during a recent jungle ride in the northern province of Chiang Rai.
Tschabold was initially impressed by the politeness of Su-rang Ner-pae, also 22. Love blossomed as the ride progressed against a backdrop of mountains, the radio said.
That night they were married in a traditional Karen ceremony. Her husband is a member of this ethnic minority famed for its ability to catch, train and ride elephants.
The broadcast, a transcript of which was made available today, said the Swiss bride from Lausanne plans to give up her job in the computer field and live in Thailand.
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