Thai Times

Covering the Thai Renaissance
Tuesday, Jul 22, 2025

ID Software Distinguishes the Real Santa's Face from His Stand-Ins

Scientists have developed facial recognition technology that distinguishes Santa Claus from his lookalikes, confirming what children have long believed about his distinctive features. Dr. Thomas Wright of the University of Manchester led a study exploring whether Santa's face, rather than his attire or beard, makes him recognizable.
Using a deep-learning algorithm, Wright's team processed numerous Santa images from the internet to teach the software. The algorithm, focusing solely on facial features, differentiated Santa from other men, including the elderly with beards.

Published in the journal Vision, the findings suggest Santa has a unique facial structure, although it's uncertain if internet depictions match the legendary figure only known to his reindeer. The algorithm didn't recognize historical figures like Saint Nicholas or Walter Clement Shields as Santa.

Future research may expand to rate lookalikes with a "Santa score," and assess the faces of other mythological figures like the Tooth Fairy and Robin Hood. Wright is also interested in testing similar festive characters and professional Santa performers from global Santa congresses.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Thailand Regulator Greenlights Budget Mobile Plans Below 240 Baht
0:00
0:00
Open
Thailand Regulator Greenlights Budget Mobile Plans Below 240 Baht
0:00
0:00
Close
Thailand Regulator Greenlights Budget Mobile Plans Below 240 Baht
Two more landmines found along border disputed by Cambodia
Bank of Thailand Raises Concerns Over Proposed Financial Hub Amid Money Laundering Risks
Phu Lae International Animation Festival Opens in Chiang Rai
Civil Court Orders Return of ฿4.5 Billion to Brokers in Major Thai Stock Manipulation Case
Thailand's Industries Face Transition Risks Amid Rising Chinese Imports
Police Deploy High-Level Border Security in Four Thai Provinces Near Cambodian Frontier
Thailand Targets Cambodian Casino Tycoon in Nationwide Cybercrime Crackdown
Calls for International Legal Resolution Over Landmine Allegations Between Thailand and Cambodia
Thailand Prepares for Heavy Rainfall as Tropical Storm Wipha Approaches
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency After Leg Swelling
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
Mahagitsiri Family Loses Legal Round in Nescafé Joint Venture Dispute
Tulsi Gabbard Unveils Evidence Alleging Political Manipulation of Intelligence During Trump Administration
Thailand to Repatriate Four Orangutans to Indonesia as Diplomatic Gesture
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Cathay Pacific Apologizes After Technical Issues Leave Passengers on Bangkok-Bound Flight Without Air Conditioning
Trump Announces Coca-Cola to Shift to Cane Sugar in U.S. Production
Thai Finance Ministry Seeks to Contain Revenue Shortfall Amid Slower GDP Growth
Eastern Economic Corridor Land Prices Surge Amid Strong Foreign Investment
Thailand Proposes National Crypto Sandbox to Facilitate Tourist Spending
Donald Trump Jr. Remains Supportive of Elon Musk Post-Feud
Thailand's E-Commerce Sector Surges to 1.1 Trillion Baht Amid TikTok Shopping Expansion
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Irish Tech Worker Detained 100 days by US Authorities for Overstaying Visa
Senate Demands Minister Explain 'Half‑Half Thai Travel' Tech Breakdown
Thai Government Refutes US Demand for Phang‑Nga Naval Base in Tariff Negotiations
Vietnamese Goods Fill Cambodian Shelves Amid Thai Trade Ban
Woman Arrested in Growing Thai Monk Sex and Money Scandal
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Thailand's Board of Investment Unveils New Measures to Mitigate Impact of US Tariffs
Thailand and Peru Celebrate 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations Through Art
Thailand Considers Criminal Penalties for Women in Monk Sexual Scandals
Legal Action Initiated Against Cambodian Senate President for Alleged Sedition
Government Intensifies Crackdown on Sweets Containing Illegal THC Levels
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Thailand’s Sukiyaki Sector Enters Intensifying Price Competition
Thailand Strengthens Oversight of Major E‑commerce Platforms
Thailand's Destination Thailand Visa Generates Strong Demand for Remote Workers
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
China and U.S. Diplomatic Engagement at ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Thailand’s Digital Nomad Visa Registers Over 35,000 Applicants in First Year
×