Hua Hin King's Cup Elephant Polo 2012

[buksida]

Anantara Announces 2012 King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament Dates
Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas has announced the dates of the highly popular King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament for 2012. The charitable event, now in its eleventh year, has to date raised over half a million dollars in charity to help Thailand’s elephants. This year’s event will be held in the Thai royal seaside town of Hua Hin from September 12-16 and promises to have more nail-biting action both on and off the field.

The event has gone from a small two-day event in 2001 to one of Thailand’s major and internationally best loved events. Last year’s tournament featured 12 teams encompassing over 40 players, including German royals, Prince Carl-Eugen Oettingen-Wallerstein, his wife Princess Anna and daughter Princess Joanna along with members of the New Zealand All-Blacks rugby team. A celebrity auction was also held with international celebrities including Olympic 100 metre Gold Medalist Linford Christie, Grammy Award winners Lady Antebellum, UK fashion designer Anja Hindmarsh and Korean Pop Star Park Jung Min.

Fundraising from last year’s event has been donated to three projects in Thailand. The first is to continue to support research and clinics using elephants in therapy sessions for children in Thailand living with autism. In addition, the money raised has also been used to launch the first and only elephant hospital in southern Thailand, as well as a human-elephant conflict project between the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) and the Elephant Conservation Network (ECN) charity who works in a wildlife reserve in Kanchanaburi.

“The eleventh year of the tournament promises to be bigger and better in terms of teams, fun and activities,” said Mr. Bill Heinecke, CEO Minor International and owner of Anantara. “But we must never forget the true meaning of holding the event and that is to make a considerable donation to the conservation and welfare of the Thailand elephant population and this year we are determined to raise more money than ever.”

Source: ITCM

Thought: A bit early but good to have some forward planning here, shame those muppets that organise the Jazz Festival can't take a leaf out of Anantara's book.

[hhfarang]

Glad to see something announced far in advance and hope they will continue to publicize this event when the time draws closer. So many events are missed here because of no advertising or no English advertising.

[buksida]

The 2012 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament organised by Anantara Hotels & Resorts will take place in Hua Hin, Thailand, between 12 and 16 September 2012.

Now in its 11th year, ASIA Travel Tips.com sat down with Tim Boda, Group Operations Manager of Minor Hotel Group - the parent company of Anantara - to ask him how about this year's event.

In the HD video interview, filmed in the Elephant Bar at the Anantara Riverside Hotel in Bangkok, you will discover how the 2012 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament differs from that of previous years, which teams will be taking part, what on earth the New Zealand All Blacks (yes that is the rugby team) will be doing at the event and who they will be playing against.

You will learn a little about Elephant Polo, how many games are expected to be played per day, which days are busiest, what major social events take place during the King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament and whether you need to purchase tickets and if so, for how much.

We talk about the transportation the Anantara Hua Hin has organised, how often it will run and where from and from what time, how much it costs to be a spectator and what will happen if it rains.

You will also discover what special items are going to be auctioned during the black tie Gala Dinner on Saturday and how many millions Anantara is hoping will be raised from them, all of which will go to worthwhile charities.

[Big Boy]

I've seen photos of an elephant's parade through Hua Hin before a previous tournament. There's no mention on the video, so does anybody know if a parade is scheduled this year?

[moja]

http://anantaraelephantpolo.com/2012/p_schedule.php

You will find all the details on the above link. Went last year and it was an enjoyable afternoon until the rain came.

[Big Boy]

Thanks moja - perfect.

[buksida]

2012 King’s Cup Elephant Polo Official Programme 12th - 16th September 2012

Wednesday, September 12th
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Training sessions
4:00 pm Grand opening parade in Hua Hin town centre
7:00 pm Tournament Draw & Cocktail Party at the Sala Siam Lounge,
Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa**

Thursday, September 13th
8:00 am to 9:00 am Pitch and elephant blessing ceremony
9:00 am to 4:00 pm Tournament matches all day
11:00 am Fruit buffet for the elephants
7:00 pm Dinner buffet at Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa
Till Late Players lounge with live music at Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa

Friday, September 14th
8:00 am to 4:00 pm Tournament matches all day
7:00 pm Dinner buffet at Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa
7:00 pm TEPA Players Night*
Till Late Players lounge with live music at Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa

Saturday, September 15th
8:00 am to 4:00 pm Tournament matches all day
12:00 pm Tiffany versus All Blacks exhibition game
2:00 pm EFG High Goal Jim Edwards Memorial Game
7:00 pm GRAND AUCTION GALA DINNER*

Sunday, September 16th
8:00 am to 10:00 pm Final matches
12:45 pm National Anthem performed by Koh Saxman
King’s Cup Elephant Polo Grand Final 2012
1:30 pm Trophy Giving Ceremony by the Royal representative
Fruit buffet for the elephants
End of tournament celebrations on the field
Till Late Players lounge with live music at Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa

[Big Boy]

4:00 pm Grand opening parade in Hua Hin town centre

Does anybody know the route please?

[PeteC]

4:00 pm Grand opening parade in Hua Hin town centre

Does anybody know the route please?

Whichever way the pachyderms want to go.

[buksida]

Whichever way the pachyderms want to go.

That's what I was going to say, just follow the big grey ...

[Terry]

If ya miss the first one, another will be right behind

I'm gonna miss this one - would love to see it

[Big Boy]

Sorry to be a pain guys, but I do like elephants, and I've got one further question.

I've been reading through last year's thread together with this year's information page. I've determined the event is at Suriyothai Army Base, and that it's just past the Sea Pines army petrol station on your left and it's a couple of hundred metres further on the right. This year's publicity page and video talk about free buses from the centre, but does anybody know if there is parking on site please?

[barrys]

Went there last year BB and there was lots of parking space - it's a pretty big army camp!

[moja]

Yes loads of free parking and entrance is free too. Food and drink prices were not too bad and there was free water on offer. If it is the same as last year there will be plenty of signs along the way for you to follow.

[Takiap]

I can confirm what Moja says BB, plenty of parking and a pleasant day out.