Elephant polo cup a hit once again

Posted by admin on March 29th, 2010 filed in Culture & customs, Expat life, Living here, The North, Travel destinations

The 9th annual Kings Cup Elephant Polo tournament has just been wrapped up and was a roaring success once again. Hundreds of spectators came to view the magnificent animals and their skillful riders for the week-long contest, held in Anantara Resort near Chiang Rai on the banks of the Ruak River which separates Burma from Thailand.

The event opened with a blessing ceremony where monks sprinkle holy water over players and animals to help ensure a successful and healthy tournament. There was also a parade of traditional northern dancers and hill-tribe villagers dressed up in costume. Elephant spirit men (Khru Ba Yai), decorated pachyderms with colourful patterns and the teams held up their national flags.

The tournament was not originally held in the Golden Triangle, but was first introduced to Thailand in the Royal town of Hua Hin just south of Bangkok. But in 2001 Anantara Resorts took over the event and transformed it into it’s present charitable guise which raises cash for the Kingdom’s National Elephant Institute in Lampang.

And everyone who chose to travel to this year’s event was certain it would continue to go from strength to strength with a dozen teams comprising 40 players from 15 countries in four continents demonstrating in what high regard it is held.