Buddhist monks rode elephants to lead a colourful religious parade in Thailand.

The two orange-robed men boarded the backs of jumbos that wore gold and red cloths in Nakhon Ratchasima province on December 8.

They led the procession of locals in a cremation ceremony that aimed to honour the memory of the dead.

Followers believed that the parade around the village would bring happiness to their loved one who passed away in the after life.

One of the dead man's relatives said: ‘He wanted the cremation ceremony to be joyful without mourning. We danced in front of the pagoda to respect his wishes.'

The monks offered prayers for the old man while his relatives sat around the shrine. They also danced before offering prayers while they carried his portrait and urn with ashes.

This ceremony is reportedly being practiced through generations in the north eastern part of Thailand.