For the past three years, the anantara king’s cup Elephant Polo tournament has been held in Bangkok, at a green expanse of manicured grass situated along the iconic Chao Phraya River. When we attended this year at the invitation of Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas and Thailand Tourism Authority, the weather was sweltering, but that didn’t stop the well-heeled pologoers from following every twist and turn of the action.
The tournament kicked off with a colourful opening parade and a blessing ceremony by “elephant spirit men”, Brahmin priests and an abbot, before the action played out on the pitch. At a gala dinner at Anantara Siam Bangkok that evening, invited guests fervently bidded for items at the auction, including vintage Cartier clocks and a stay at the Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara in Oman. On the third day, the women also amped up their polo style for Ladies’ Day, meandering the event grounds in sparkly flapper dress and elaborate fascinators a la The Great Gatsby. Of course, it helped that there were ice-cold beers, botanical-infused drinks, scrumptious sausage sandwiches and relaxing Elemis massages to keep them cool and satiated. Also spotted were Thai and international celebrities and famous former sportsmen, many of whom participated in the tournament.