On Monday 31 October, Mr. Michael Sagild, COO of Minor International presented a symbolic key for a truck which will be used to transport elephants, to Mr. Amnarj Khampalikit, representative of the Thailand Elephant Conservation Centre. The presentation was made during a King Cup Elephant Polo luncheon held at Madison restaurant, Four Seasons Bangkok, and was attended by key sponsor - DHL Global Mail.
The luncheon was hosted by Mr. Christopher Stafford, Vice President and General Manager, Anantara Resort Maldives, who was instrumental in setting up the Thailand chapter of the World Elephant Polo Association. As a result, the annual King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament organised previously by Anantara Hua Hin and now Anantara Golden Triangle, is ranked as the 6th largest event on the Thai tourism calendar and has raised nearly US$200,000 for the country’s National Elephant Institute.
The elephant transportation truck was funded by the proceeds of the 2006 King’s Cup Elephant Polo which was hosted by Anantara Resort Golden Triangle. The luxurious hilltop retreat features stunning views of not one, but three countries. The five-star Anantara Resort Golden Triangle which opened in October 2003 is located close to the historic town of Chiang Saen in the heart of northern Thailand’s hill-tribe country where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge.
The 2006 tournament saw 12 highly competitive teams including DHL Global Mail; Raimon Land/Tiger Tops Nepal; Tickle & the Ivories; ThisistheLife.com Scotland; Mercedes Benz Germany; Capitol Pachyderms USA; Angus Estates; Team Sweden; Hotelplan Italy; PricewaterhouseCoopers — All Blacks — Swiss International Airlines; Anantara/ESC Visitor’s, and Four Seasons Tented Camp team. The Tournament came to a dramatic close as ThisistheLife.com Scotland clinched the title from Mercedes during a “sudden death” play-off.
The 2007 King’s cup Elephant Polo tournament will once again be hosted by Anantara Resort Golden Triangle and will take place in April 2007.
Pictured holding the key is Vice President and General Manger Anantara Resort Maldives Christopher Stafford (left) with Commercial Director, Asia Pacific & Middle East DHL Global Mail Jan-Willem Adrian, Deputy Managing Director Forest Industry Organization Amnarj Khampalikit, Chief Operating Officer Minor International Michael Sagild and Elephant Specialist Forest Industry Organization (Elephant and Mahout Training School) Prasop Tipprasert
Tel: + 66 (0) 2 877 5803 extension 28. Mobile: + 66 (0) 89 811 3829
Email: mwalsh@anantara.com . Visit www.anantara.com
