Elephant polo at Anantara Chiang Mai

The event is held annually to raise money for the Thailand Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC).

Challenges
The weather was the biggest challenge as the week-long event was held outdoors. “The key to
success is to ensure a good backup plan that can be actioned within minutes, should the need
require,” says Marion Walsh, brand director of public relations for Anantara Resorts. “This was
indeed the case for the cocktail party and monk blessing by the Duck Pond, as it rained and we
swiftly moved the entire event and guests to the hotels swiftly."

Execution
Events were spread around the hotel’s 65 hectares, which included rainforest, intricate gardens and the elephant polo playing field. Over the course of the week a number of gala dinners and cocktail functions were held throughout the property, including a Sunset cocktail party on the Hilltop
overlooking Burma and Laos, a cocktail and dinner party on a nearby mountaintop where guests arrived by elephant, a blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks and a traditional Thai dinner in the Mahout Camp with the elephants.

The opening parade of the Elephant Polo Tournament included a marching band, traditional Thai dancers and elephants adorned in brightly coloured silks. Monks officiated over the the ceremony alongside khru ba yai – traditional Elephant Spirit Men. Only a few khru ba yai still exist and so it was a rare opportunity for the guests to witness the special blessing and learn about the history of these fascinating people.

Each day, guests also had a range of leisure options to choose from such as a visit to the local
area to learn about the culture.

Outings such as a guided visit of the Opium Hall museum, a trip to Burma, Laos and the Royal projects of Doi Tung, and tours of the local market were followed by cooking classes at the resort.

Verdict
So far the tournament has raised US$200,000 for elephants welfare in the region. Since 2001, three pick-up trucks and a custom-built ambulance have been donated to the Lampang
Elephant Sanctuary. This year’s event raised US$35,000 for the TECC.