White (albino) elephants were regarded as holy in ancient times in Thailand and other Asian countries. To keep a white elephant was a very expensive task, since you had to provide the elephant with special food, and provide access for people who wanted to come and worship it. If a Thai King became, for some reason, became dissatisfied with a sub-king, he would give him a white elephant. The gift would, in most cases, ruin the recipient.

To begin with the white elephant is held in high regard by a number of religions and, supposedly, the King of Siam had a large number of sacred white elephants.

It is said that when a courtier fell out of favour the King did not wish to be seen as a bad person so simply banishing the man or woman from his court was not an option. Instead of this he made the person a gift of one of his white elephants.

Because the elephant was seen as being sacred it was a great honour to receive one. The down side was that it was an executable offence to refuse the gift or fail to treat the animal in a manner befitting its status what is more you could not expect a white elephant to work and earn its keep.

The massive cost of the upkeep of these animals generally ruined the recipient financially.

So what seems wonderful initially becomes a 'millstone around one's neck".