2017 KING’S CUP ELEPHANT TOURNAMENT BOOKLET

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WELCOME LETTER

EVENT LOCATION

HOST HOTELS

PROGRAMME

HOW TO GET THERE

LADIES DAY

CHILDREN’S DAY

GOLDEN TRIANGLE ASIAN ELEPHANT FOUNDATION

BENEFITS FOR ELEPHANTS

HISTORY AND RULES

SPECTATOR REGULATIONS

HOW TO PLAY

MATCH SCHEDULE

SPONSORS 2017

Drone photo

Dear Friends of the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament,

Thank you for joining us for the Elephant Polo Week in Thailand.

Although the tournament took a break in 2015, the internationally renowned event made its comeback this year and took place for the second time in Bangkok. Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort proudly hosted the 14th King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament and hosted players and guests from around the world.

The 2016 edition saw 10 international teams battling for the coveted trophy at one of Thailand’s most prized annual sporting events. The tournament was held by the riverside, which is transformed into an elephant polo stadium for the week.

We also enjoyed bringing you four days of unforgettable action both on and off the pitch, from an impressive opening parade and nail-biting matches, to children’s and ladies’ days, fun elephant-related activities and barbecue nights. This all culminated into an unmissable experience richly reflective of the local culture.

The 15th King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament 2016 once again brought the sporting community, elephant lovers, charity organizations, and the corporate world together to support this cause.

A very special thanks to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, all of our corporate sponsors, especially King Power, Thai Beverage and members of the Bangkok community where we live and thrive, for allowing this special event to take place in the iconic location of Thailand’s capital.

Finally, a special thanks to all of you for taking the time to join us for this year’s King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament, and to the team at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.

Yours Sincerely,

Tim Boda Director Food & Beverage, Operational Excellence & Events, Minor Hotel Group TAKSIN BRIDGE

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ELEPHANT ZONE TAKSIN BRIDGE

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ELEPHANT ZONE HOST HOTELS

ANANTARA RIVERSIDE AVANI RIVERSIDE BANGKOK RESORT BANGKOK HOTEL

Conveniently located on the banks of the One of the latest additions to the Minor mighty Chao Phraya River, Anantara Riverside portfolio, AVANI Riverside Bangkok Hotel is Bangkok Resort is your gateway to Thailand’s the perfect access point to Bangkok for any shimmering capital. Positioned amongst kind of visit, whether a leisurely family break or a backdrop of verdant greenery, Anantara an important business meeting. All 241 rooms Riverside offers the in luxurious and suites are located on level 12 or above, waterfront serenity. allowing for uninterrupted views of the Chao Phraya River and Bangkok’s glittering skyline. Combine the thrill of urban living and the calm of tropical luxury in this 11-acre oasis, both an To ensure every requirement is satisfied, four ideal sanctuary to recharge and the perfect restaurants and bars offer simply delicious platform to facilitate your immersion in this eats and treats, from grab-and-go snacks in ancient Kingdom on your own adventures. the designer deli to exotic indulgences at the rooftop or lobby bar. Delve into an ancient city steeped in history and tradition, seek hidden treasures exploring Its location by Riverside Plaza shopping Bangkok’s labyrinthine network of sois or complex and directly opposite Asiatique, simply relax on banks of the river as life Bangkok’s largest open-air night market, unfolds before your eyes. affords guests a wealth of entertainment options whilst the rest of Bangkok’s delights Whether you want to experience an authentic are easily accessed by complimentary boat side of Bangkok on your terms or simply shuttle to Saphan Taksin boat pier. relax and rejuvenate in a sanctuary of calm in the midst of this thriving metropolis, your Whether seeing the city’s many sights or individual journey in Bangkok will be enriched brokering deals, family fun or individual by your stay at Anantara Riverside. adventures, AVANI Riverside Bangkok is designed with you in mind. AVANI Riverside Bangkok Hotel

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort 15TH KING’S CUP ELEPHANT POLO TENTATIVE PROGRAMME 9 TO 12 MARCH 2017

THURSDAY 9 MARCH OPENING DAY 8.00 am Monk blessing ceremony 9.00 am Traditional Thai dance performance 10.00 am Fruit buffet for elephants 11.00 am – 4.00 pm Tournament matches 7.00 pm Charity auction gala dinner at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel*

Friday 10 March KID’S DAY 9.00 am – 4.00 pm School educational and fun visits throughout day 2.00 pm – 10.00 pm Tournament matches 8.00 pm The high ball cup shoot-out

Festival atmosphere with entertainment and music till late

Saturday 11 March LADIES’ DAY 1:00 pm Tournament matches begin 2.30 pm The grand historic elephant parade 3.30 pm Tournament matches 5.00 pm Fashion show by Monlada 6.00 pm Best dressed lady award 7.00 pm – 10.00 pm Tournament matches

Festival atmosphere with entertainment and music till late

Sunday 12 March GRAND FINAL DAY 9.00 am Tournament matches begin 10.00 am Sunday morning jazz 4.00 pm National anthem, King’s Cup Elephant Polo tournament grand final 5.00 pm Trophy award ceremony by royal representative 6:00 pm Fruit buffet for elephants and closing entertainment 6.30 pm End of tournament celebrations

*by invitation only

2017 KING’S CUP ELEPHANT POLO LADIES DAY SPONSORED BY MONLADA STUDIO.

11 March 2017 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm

By the riverside next to Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.

Take inspiration from Gatsby for a stylish day out at Elephant Polo. Join with your ladies by the river to watch exciting action, sip bubbles and win fantastic prizes. Whilst you enjoy your day in the sun, our Fashion experts and celebrities will be perusing the crowd to for the most fashionably dressed ladies. Be in with a chance of winning MonladA fashion vouchers and dream holidays to the value of THB 250,000++

Dress to impress for a fun girly day out by the river. Celebrate late into the evening with live entertainment.

HOW TO GET THERE

Entrance to tournament is THB 200 per person per day, gross proceeds going to Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. VIP hospitality packages are available, for more information, please contact Jaime Koh at [email protected] or visit anantaraelephantpolo.com.

Complimentary boat transfers between Saphan Taksin Pier and Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort are available every 30 minutes. Spectators can hop on the free shuttle service from lower lobby of the resort to pitch or enjoy a 5 minutes stroll.

Limited parking available at Riverside Plaza only, no parking available at the polo pitch Best dressed Prize-giving Ceremony – 5.00 pm

For more information please visit anantaraelephantpolo.com 2017 KING’S CUP ELEPHANT POLO

9 - 12 March 2017

CHILDREN’S DAY

Anantara welcomes schools to join us on Friday 11 March for a fun-filled experience at the Elephant Polo

• A rare opportunity to be upclose with elephants • Feeding and studying of elephants • Question and Answer with the Elephant Veterinarian • Explore and pick up interesting facts about elephants with the Elephant Trail Journey around the pitch • Watching a live polo game and interact with professional polo players around the world • Free admission to the tournament

* Schools can organise a half day or full day trip for the students

For further information and bookings please contact Natnaruechol Sakolsukmanee at Tel. 02 476 0022 Ext. 1100 or email: [email protected] anantaraelephantpolo.com

THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE ASIAN ELEPHANT FOUNDATION Established in 2006, The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) was set up to improve the plight of Thailand’s elephants. Since then its scope has increased to include welfare projects that incorporate wider philanthropic and cultural objectives across broader Southeast Asia.

Since the foundation’s inception more than 40 elephants have been rescued from Thailand’s city streets, accompanied by their entire mahout family. Recognising the cultural significance of mahouts whilst staying committed to the ideals of creating elephant friendly circumstances, a broader community development programme for mahouts and their families has been implemented. Through this programme English lessons are provided for mahouts and their wives, education programmes offered for their children and a silk making enterprise for the mahout’s wives has been established, with all profits from sales going back directly to the wives.

In addition to performing street rescues the GTAEF cooperates with the Thai government and other organisations in projects including supporting scientific research and clinics using elephants as assistant therapists for children living with autism; donating equipment and vehicles to government elephant hospitals in Mountains, the only remaining link between Lampang & Krabi; sending their team of expert elephant territories to the north and south vets to assist elephants throughout Thailand, of the country. Since protection, the wildlife Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos; has become visible and wild elephants have developing scientific positive reinforcement started using the forest again. training techniques for elephants; reducing human–elephant conflict in Thai national The GTAEF has had unprecedented success in parks and building the world’s first and only creating positive outcomes for both wild and research facility dedicated to researching captive elephants, helping provide a voice for elephant intelligence and behaviour. these incredible creatures.

Working with local partner Wildlife Alliance, GTAEF, along with their parent company Minor International, have successfully funded and implemented the protection of 18,000 hectares of standing forest in Cambodia’s Cardamom

BENEFITS FOR OUR ELEPHANTS

Every elephant attending the King’s Cup at the tournament our vets and ele nutritionists Elephant Polo tournament has a unique have designed a special diet for them with microchip number which is required by law suppliers of the best fodder from around the which means the Thai authorities know she country in addition to being provided with was not taken from the wild. All the elephants veterinary and vitamin supplements. used are members of the Zoological Parks Organisation (ZPO) under the Royal Patronage The tournament’s largest expense is of His Majesty the King’s Elephant Kingdom maintaining and pampering the elephants - project and they have all been submitted to this is on top of the money raised for charity DNA tests in order to enroll. during the event and at the gala dinners which is used for more strategic projects that benefit The elephants receive no specific training to all of South East Asia’s elephants, captive and play polo. The ZPO’s Elephant Kingdom have wild, including improving the facilities & vet selected elephants that like to run around care at these elephants’ home in Elephant and enjoy themselves in their friendship Kingdom. Descriptions of some of the Golden groups to participate in the tournament and Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation’s recent consequently tend to easily pick up the game. projects can be found in their tent on site.

We don’t want our elephants to get tired Despite having been selected for their so they only play for 28 minutes each day enjoyment of the game some elephants decide compared with working 10 hours a night the game is not for them and an elephant that on the streets or 10 to 12 hours a day in a is not enjoying themselves is immediately trekking camp as they would have done before retired but still gets to keep their bonuses. enrolling in Elephant Kingdom. Nowadays, despite Elephant Kingdom’s best efforts Each elephant receives a veterinary check by these elephants tend to spend 24hrs a day the Zoological Parks Organisation under the on short chains at home often isolated from Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King’s their elephant friends, Elephant Polo helps vets before she is declared fit to play each demonstrate to their mahouts and owners day - those that fail don’t lose their bonuses, that appropriate limited exercise and elephant they just get prescribed rest and elephant interaction is good for the elephants and interaction - something often not possible can be achieved safely without the use of throughout the rest of the year. traditional coercive tools. WE AIM TO MAKE THE TOURNAMENT AS Elephants enjoy running around and playing MUCH OF A HOLIDAY FOR THE ELEPHANTS games - and at the Golden Triangle Asian AS IT IS FOR OUR Elephant Foundation we have several areas GUESTS. for the elephants to free roam and the young ones to play, which they’ll do for hours at a time. High energy food is a rare treat for these elephants but is essential for all athletes - HISTORY AND RULES

The Story Behind the Game

What started out as a whimsical conversation between two quirky lovers has evolved into one of the largest annual events in the Thai tourism calendar. The event in question is polo, with the adventurous twist of being played on the back of elephants.

The World Elephant Polo Association established the governing rules for Elephant Polo in 1982. The association’s headquarters are based at the Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge in the Royal Chitwan Park in , where the World Elephant Polo Tournament is played every year by teams from Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand on a grassy airfield in Megauly.

In Thailand, the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament was first launched in Hua Hin by Anantara in 2001. In 2006 the tournament moved to the Golden Triangle and was hosted by Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort). In 2011 the tournament returned to its original venue at Hua Hin for the following three years, and in 2014 is being proudly hosted in Bangkok by Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort & Spa.

Elephants are a key symbol of Thailand’s history. Nothing but the utmost respect is given to these pachyderms, with all proceeds of the tournament used to ensure their welfare, sustenance, employment, mahout training and the provision of medical treatment.

Thai Elephant Polo Association

• Due to the size of these great mammals, each team comprises three players and their four legged accomplices. Matches take place on a marked pitch of 80 metres by 48 metres, using a standard size polo ball. • The game is divided into two 7-minute “chukkas”, or halves, of playing time with an interval of 15 minutes. A whistle blast from the referee signals the start and end of play. Both the elephants and playing pitch ends are changed after the first chukka. • The pitch is marked with lines; a circle with a radius of 10 metres marks the middles of the field, while a semi-circle arch in front of the goals has a radius of 20 metres, measured from the centre of the goal line at either end of the pitch and referred to as the D. • The scoring system awards two points to a winning team and one point apiece to teams which draw. Spectator Regulations

• No flags or banners are permitted on the grounds without the permission of the organisers. • No whistles or horns are allowed at any time, as they may scare the elephants. • Smoking is not permitted in the restaurant or public areas. • For your own safety, please do not approach the elephants. • No gambling or betting of any sort is permitted on the premises. • Please do not litter; use the conveniently located garbage cans. • Elephants must always be given right of way and at no time shall unauthorised personnel enter the elephant area. • Selling goods or services is not permitted without prior approval of the event organisers. • Please use the public facilities which have been made available on the grounds. • Do not leave children unattended at any time. • Spectators under the age of 18 must be under adult supervision and are not permitted to consume tobacco or alcohol. • Adults are requested to consume alcohol responsibly. • For your safety, please refrain from crossing over or sitting on the field fence and maintain a safe distance from the pitch. • Do not feed, or throw things at the elephants. • No firearms or fireworks of any kind are permitted on the grounds. • The tournament welcomes the public from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm every day, except for Saturday from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm. Guests are not permitted on the grounds at any other time. • Please note that by attending the tournament, guests may have their picture published in media outlets or on internet news sites. • Parking is available at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort which is 5 minutes away from the venue. Team A

Team B

HOW TO PLAY

GAME TECHNICALITIES FUN FACTS

• No elephants may lie down in front of the • Elephants in this tournament only respond goal mouth. To do so constitutes a foul and to Thai commands from their mahouts. a free hit is awarded to the opposing side • The first elephant polo games were played from the semi-circle in front of the goal. with a soccer ball. These were quickly • An elephant may not pick up the ball in its changed to standard polo balls after it was trunk during play. To do so constitutes a foul realised the elephants like to stamp and pop and a free hit is awarded to the opposing the soccer balls. team from the spot where the ball was • Some players train by sitting on top of a picked up. The defending players must be slow moving jeep and swinging at the ball 15 metres from the spot. using an elephant polo stick! • Teams are made up from the pool of elephants and balanced out as fairly as possible, bearing in mind the size and speed of the elephants. Once the pool of elephants has been selected, each elephant is categorised and marked as A, B, C, D, E and F. • Sugar cane or rice balls packed with vitamins (molasses and rock salt) are given to the elephants at the end of each match, and a cold beer or soft drink to the elephants’ drivers, and not vice versa! The health and welfare of the elephants used in the T.E.P.A. tournaments is of prime concern. Abuse of an elephant is considered to be the most serious offence.

15TH King’s Cup ELEPHANT POLO Tour n ament

Handicapping MATCH SCHEDULE 1. Thurs 9 VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS 2.

VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS 3. Fri 10

4. Sat 11 VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS 5. Sun 12 VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS 6. 7. Handicapping 8. 9. 10. 15TH King’s Cup ELEPHANT POLO Tour n ament

Handicapping MATCH SCHEDULE 1. Thurs 9 VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS 2.

VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS 3. Fri 10

4. Sat 11 VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS 5. Sun 12 VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS 6. 7. Handicapping 8. 9. 10. A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL SPONSORS 15TH KING’S CUP ELEPHANT POLO

One World, 6 Continents

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Wherever Music Matters 2017 KING’S CUP ELEPHANT POLO

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