Elephant Polo Tournament

[curtiejoe]

If you hurry and make your travel plans to Thailand, you may be able to catch the eight annual king's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament held this year between Sept. 3 and 9 in Chiang Rai, the northernmost region of Thailand. The very exotic and unusual spectacle of Elephant Polo takes place in the luxurious surroundings of the Anantara Resort in royal Hua Hin on the Gulf Coast of Thailand. Held to raise money for an Elephant Conservation Centre, teams from all over South-East Asia compete in this tournament, which was launched in 2001. The unusual spectacle of Elephant Polo takes place in the luxurious surroundings of the Anantara Resort in royal Hua Hin on the Gulf Coast of Thailand. Held to raise money for an Elephant Conservation Centre, teams from all over South-East Asia compete in this tournament, which was launched in 2001.




Elephant Polo was first played by Mogul Indian Kings, but was reinvented in 1982 by an Englishman (Jim Edwards) and a Scotsman (James Mann-Clark) in Switzerland. Both passionate polo players, they decided that polo on elephants would be more interesting and adventurous. Since then the tournament has been played in Nepal and Sri Lanka, as well as Thailand.

This tournament involves two teams of three elephants playing two chukkas of ten minutes each. Players use specially elongated polo sticks and regular polo balls. It's a slower, but no less noble, spectacle than normal polo played with horses.









This tournament involves two teams of three elephants playing two chukkas of ten minutes each. Players use specially elongated polo sticks and regular polo balls. It's a slower, but no less noble, spectacle than normal polo played with horses.

The week-long celebration includes a Grand Parade of Elephants in Hua Hin, accompanied by the Royal Navy Marching Band. A Blessing of the Elephants at the Hua Hin Railway Station takes place at the beginning of the week, while the Elephant Orchestra and Elephant Painting take place each day at the polo grounds. Polo sticks, team shirts, elephant paintings and elephant polo memorabilia are all auctioned to raise funds for the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang, Northern Thailand, which provides welfare for more than 4000 wild and domesticated elephants.

Curt
















Message Edited by curtiejoe on 09-10-2007 09:07 PM

[kyshel]

Curt--I am so confused (being blonde, that, in itself, could be an explanation!)
I don't understand how the Elephant Polo tournament is in Chiang Rai (in the north) yet it takes place in Hua Hin. I happen to be going there in Nov, so I caught the posting while sifting thru the Thailand notes.
So, after that query, have you been to Hua Hin? I am curious about taking the train from Bangkok. I've gotten some pointers from CruisinRed, but there is so much to choose from when it's a new adventure.
Anything you can add? Thanks a bunch!

[curtiejoe]

Hi kyshel



My knowledge of Thailand comes mainly from a long-time friend from Bangkok who emigrated to Canada over 30 years ago. His childhood tales of life in South-East Asia have always fascinated me, especially when he's spoken of elephants and the other great love of his: Thai food. With this background, I've often searched the Internet for all things Thai. Recently, I was taken by an account of elephant polo tournaments held in Thailand during certain local festivals. As a result, I took down the relevant information and included in my recent post. I suspect that I made an error regarding Hua Hin and its location. Very sorry about any confusion it may have caused. However, I thought that anyone travelling to Thailand, like yourself, might find this unusual eventof interest and would look up the details on it via the weblink I included. I too fantasize about travelling to Thailand one day soon and seeing the elephant polo tournaments for myself.



Curt


Message Edited by curtiejoe on 09-10-2007 09:08 PM

[kyshel]

not to worry--like I said--I was a bit confused about the location--I bet there's a place near Chiang mai or Chiang Rai that sounds similar.
I did find a place where you play soccer with the elephants--that must be fun--standing in the goal...wondering...how fast? how hard? where? will I die??
First thought was it sounds cruel but the admissions frequently save elephants that would already be goners. At least, that's the wish and many worth-while sanctuaries really are
just that.
When we get there AND back, I'll be typing away--maybe sooner, since we'll have the laptop. but I think I'll just enjoy my spas and Thai food and elephant rides and write when I return.
ANything else you find online--send it over--Thanks!

[curtiejoe]

Hi kyshel



Wonder if any of the soccer-playing Thai elephants have learned "to bend it like Beckham"? What a marvellous sight to see that would be! I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip to Thailand and write up the highlights on your return back home and the relative safety of a land where elephants don't play soccer or football or tennis or baseball!



Curt

[kurtis]

Saw the Anantara Resort in Chaing Rai mentioned on this thread.



We were there last summer, and I must say that it is one of the best, most memorable resorts we have ever been to.



Before booking this resort I checked it out on trip advisor, there was not one bad review and there were over 50 comments.



If you like elephants this is the place to go. They have an elephant and mahout program to protect the old working elephants and their trainers. They live onsite. Our kids signed up for the camp that lasted 3 days. Each morning they went up into the jungle to fetch their elephant, bring it down the hill, give it a bath, feed it go for a ride. They usually rode them alone. Each afternoon they would take it for a swim in the pond, (we have the best pictures). Walk it through the jungle (and I mean jungle), then take it up the hill to chain them up for the night of eating.



They had at least 50 elephants walking around, if you wern't looking, an elephant or 5 would surround you before you knew it. There were also 2 baby elephants, one had no mother. They had a makeshift bottle, and the kids could bottle feed it milk. They were also very playful, the kids played scoccer with them.



Besides this camp for elephants, the grounds hotel, view, staff were amazing especially for the reasonalble price we paid ( in my opinion). This hotel is also on the golden triangle so we took a day trip to Laos and Burma. Going into Burma (we walked over the bridge) we had to give our passport and they issued us temporary visas. When we came back, we traded it in for our passport back. Very interesting day trip organized through the hotel.