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n Thailand's capital Bangkok Santa appears to have laid off his traditional elves dressed in green for girls dressed in not very much.

Santa is new to Thailand but seems to be getting along fine with his attractive local work force.

Thailand is very much a new territory for Santa - the mainly Buddhist country has no history of celebrating Christmas.

The commercial world has changed all that. But little green elves running alongside a white bearded old man didn't quite fit Bangkok.

Now Santa's every whim is catered for by Santa's Christmas girls.