Meechoke was meant to lead the pachyderms into a log trap, but instead he let a bull elephant chase him from the field where the show was being held.

Another horse got the part after he botched rehearsal.

Normally a two-can-a-day horse, Meechoke earned the nickname the Drunken Horse of Suphan Buri for his love of local beer.

Tourist officials and provincial authorities in Thailand's ancient capital of Ayudhya hired him for the 60-elephant show, meant to reenact an ancient method of catching wild elephants.

A horse acts as bait to anger the elephants, then leads them into a log trap. Meechoke's bravery while under the influence of alcohol made organisers view him as an ideal candidate for the part.

And, despite this week's mishap, a provincial spokesman did not rule out a comeback for Meechoke.

"We finally replaced him with another horse but may try to use him again later, because Meechoke is a brave horse - especially when he gets drunk," spokesman Chairat Promsilp said yesterday.

Webmaster's note:
This article reads like the antics of an actor in Hollywood. But we should remember that this is a horse in a circus: hardly a willing, well-paid participant. Unthinking journalism strikes again!