Bangkok to host King's Cup Elephant Polo in August

Now in its 13th year, the tournament has become one of the biggest charity events in Southeast Asia. This year, the competition will feature a total of 16 teams encompassing over 50 players, including local television stars, supermodels and professional polo players. The elephant festival will offer fun for everyone, with an impressive opening parade, Children’s Day, Ladies Day and wide a range of pachyderm-related activities for the whole family.

Funds raised at last year’s event have been donated to a number of projects in Thailand, including elephant therapy for autistic children, building the first elephant hospital in Krabi, and the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC). 

 

Mammoth generosity

Funds from the polo have also helped plant 4,000 trees to create elephant corridors in Kui Buri to prevent destruction of farmland, children’s educational programme on conservation and protection of wild elephants, and workshops for mahouts and camp owners.

A total of 50 street elephants will take part in this year’s tournament, during which they are well fed, provided with a native forest environment, and receive essential vitamin supplements, full veterinary checks and care. Working the streets can be tough for an elephant, walking through crowded tourist areas and busy roads for 10 hours a night, forced to rest during the day on small green spaces within the cities, often without shade and water. The King’s Cup schedule is designed to give these elephants rest and relaxation they are never afforded in their normal lives.