Travel Destination
Held in Thailand's Anantara Golden Triangle Resort, this year’s King’s Cup Elephant Polo tournament served up some exciting matches in a bucolic jungle setting – and all for great cause!
Twelve elephant polo teams from around the world descended on the town of Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand from 22 to 28 March to do battle for the championship of this unique sport. The real winners, however, were the elephants themselves.
More than US$300,000 has been raised since the tournament was launched in 2001 to help protect and support for the embattled species.
Growing in popularity each year, The King’s Cup Elephant Polo has evolved from a two day event with six teams into a week long extravaganza.
Twelve teams with players from at least 15 countries on four continents took part this year.
The finale pitted King Power against the Audemars Piguet team. It was a close match until the second half, when Audemars Pigeut’ got the upper hand, staging a come from behind victory.
The on-site Elephant Camp at Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa’s 160 acre lush jungle plays host to the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament each year.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, it is the country's sixth largest annual tourist event.