Hit a ball with elephants
You may have never heard of it, but on March 22, the annual “King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament” will be held. This is a polo match played with elephants. The sponsor proceeds from this go to various charities Thailand.
Elephant polo
The popular event will take place from March 22 – March 28 in Chiang Saen, a city in the northernmost region of Thailand, known as the Golden Triangle. This year the whole is again sponsored by Audemars Piguet – one of the oldest and most prestigious watchmakers in the world.
The battle will be between different teams for the coveted King's Cup trophy. In a period of just eight years, the King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament grown from a modest two-day event with six teams, to a huge one-week happening. Last year there were no less than 12 teams from 15 different countries.
The opening of the parade and blessing will take place in the city on the first day of the event. The culture of the northern regions is also featured with traditional dance styles, hill tribe villagers in traditional costumes, Elephant Ghost Men (Khru Ba Yai) and colorfully decorated pachyderms. A colorful parade will mark the start of the multi-day competition held on the banks of the Ruak River, which Thailand separates from Burma.
The proceeds of the tournament will benefit the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang. There, sick elephants are taken care of and they find shelter for their old age. Money also goes to the Elephant Therapy Program, a program of the University of Chiang Mai, where autistic children are helped through contact with elephants.
It is estimated that Thailand is home to approximately 3.600 domesticated elephants and 1.500 wild elephants. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) fully supports the King's Cup Elephant Polo tournament. The spectacle is now one of the most important events in Thailand. It takes place on the grounds of Anantara Resort Golden Triangle, admission is free.
The Anantara Golden Triangle Resort offers a special arrangement during the elephant polo tournament.
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About this blogger
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and a lover of good music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
My motto: "Don't worry too much, others will do that for you."
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