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2008 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament

2008 King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament

The event organiser Anantara Resorts announcced that the 2008 Thailand's highly popular King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament would take place from 31 March - 6 April in the northern-most region of the country popularly known as the Golden Triangle.

This annual event, ranked as the 6th largest event on theThai tourism calendar has, for the past five years, taken place in the royal saeside town of Hua Hin, situated 220km south of the Thai capital Bangkok. The tournament was introducted to Thailand in 2001 by Anantara Vice-President, Chistopher Stafford and is a charitable event that raises money for the country's National Elephant Institute in Lampang , northern Thailand.

In just six years the King's Cup elephant Polo Tournament has gine from a small 2-day event with 6 teams into a week-long extravaganza, which in 2007 featured 12 teams encompassing 36 players from 15 countries. The Tourism Authority of Thailand supports the King's Cup Elephant Polo tournament and spector entrance is free of change. The 2008 event will take place at the Anatara Resort Golden Triangle, driving less than an hour from Chaing Rai Internation Airport.

To date the tournament has raised over US$140,000 for the National Elephant Insitute, which provides medical care, sustenance, employment, welfare and mahout training to Thailand's elephant population. It is estimated that Thailand has around 2500 domesticated elephants and 1500 wild elephants. This is down from an elephant population of around 50,000 in 1950 and 100,000 in 1900.

The modern game of elephant polo was founded in Nepal in 1982 by Englishman Jim Edwords, ownedr of Tiger Tops Lodge in Nepal and James Manclark, a former British Olmpic bobsleigh competitor. The King's Cup elephant Polo Tournament is part of the World Elephant Polo Association World Series. The World Championships take place in Chitwan National Park, Nepal every Deceember and the Ceylon Elephant Polo tournament takes place each February in Sri Lanka's fort town of Galle.

2008 King’s Cup Elephant Polo Official Program
31st March 2008 – 6th April 2008
At Anantara Golden Triangle Resort, Chiang Rai

NOTE: PRACTISE DAYS 29TH, 30TH MARCH

Saturday, March 29thPRACTISE DAY (CHIANG SAEN CITY WALLS)

07:00 am : TAT Duathlon Asian Championship in Chiang Saen
(ask about the “Iron Man Polo” clause to see how this might help you bring your handicap down).
12:00 pm : Practise begins.
04:00 pm : Practise ends.

Sunday, March 30th PRACTISE DAY (CHIANG SAEN CITY WALLS)

06:00 am : TAT Triathlon Asian Cup in Chiang Saen
(ask about the “Iron Man Polo” clause to see how this might help you bring your handicap down).
08:00 am : Practice begins
12:15 am : Practice ends

Monday, March 31st

07:00 am : Practice (Anantara pitch)
10:59 am : Elephant Blessing Ceremony
12:00 pm : All elephants’ Veterinary Check by T.E.C.C. Mobile Elephant Clinic

03:00 pm : Opening Parade with all elephants
05:00 pm : Opening Match - Dream Team Match
06:00 pm : Welcome Cocktail Party at the HILLTOP – Anantara Golden Triangle
07:00 pm : Dinner at leisure – Anantara Golden Triangle

Tuesday, April 1st

09:00 am : Chivas Regal Scotland VS Anantara Visitors’ Team
10:00 am : TAT Amazing Thailand VS Dubai World Tickle & the Ivories
11:00 am : Audemars Piguet VS Four Seasons Tented Camp
12:00 pm : Lunch at the pitch

13:30 pm : Team Anantara Resorts VS Raimon Land Thailand
14.30 pm : PricewaterhouseCoopers WEPA Legends VS IBM Federacion Madrilena de Polo
15.30 pm : The London Nellies Classic Ladies VS Mercedes Benz Thailand

06:00 pm : Pre-Dinner Cocktail – The Rice Paddy
07:00 pm : Dinner on the polo pitch – Anantara Golden Triangle
Theme: French Explorer

Wednesday, April 2nd

09:00 am : IBM Federacion Madrilena de Polo VS TAT Amazing Thailand
10:00 am : Four Seasons Tented Camp VS The London Nellies Classic Ladies
11:00 am : Anantara Visitors’ Team VS Team Anantara Resorts
12:00 pm : Lunch at the pitch

13:30 pm : Audemars Piguet VS Mercedes Benz Thailand
14.30 pm : Chivas Regal Scotland VS Raimon Land Thailand
15.30 pm : PricewaterhouseCoopers WEPA Legends VS Dubai World Tickle & the Ivories

06:00 pm : Bai Sri ceremony at the spirit houses
07:00 pm : Dinner around pool deck – Anantara Golden Triangle
Theme: Anantara Night

Thursday, April 3rd

09:00 am : Audemars Piguet VS The London Nellies Classic Ladies
10:00 am : Chivas Regal Scotland VS Team Anantara Resorts
11:00 am : PricewaterhouseCoopers WEPA Legends VS TAT Amazing Thailand
12:00 pm : Lunch at the pitch

13:30 pm : IBM Federacion Madrilena de Polo VS Dubai World Tickle & the Ivories
14.30 pm : Four Seasons Tented Camp VS Mercedes Benz Thailand
15.30 pm : Anantara Visitors’ Team VS Raimon Land

06:00 pm : Pre-Dinner Cocktail at Elephant Bar – Anantara Golden Triangle
07:00 pm : BBQ at the Elephant camp – Anantara Golden Triangle
Theme : National Dress (players’ night)

Friday, April 4th

09:00 am : Climb out of the Wooden Spoon Game 1
10:00 am : Climb out of the Wooden Spoon Game 2
11:00 am : Playing to finish in the top half! Game 1
12:00 pm : Lunch at the pitch

13:30 pm : Playing to finish in the top half! Game 2
14.30 pm : Semi final 1
15.30 pm : Semi final 2

06:00 pm : Pre-Dinner Cocktail at Hall of Opium
07:00 pm : Dinner at leisure – Anantara Golden Triangle

Saturday, April 5th

09:00 am : Wooden spoon play-off
10:00 am : 9th & 10th Place play-off
11:00 am : 7th & 8th Place play-off
12:00 pm : Lunch at the pitch

13:30 pm : 5th & 6th Place play-off
14.30 pm : 3rd & 4th Place play-off

04:00 pm : Final King’s Cup Elephant Polo 2008
05:30 pm : Prize Giving Ceremony

06:30 pm : Pre-Dinner Cocktail at Elephant Bar – Anantara Golden Triangle
07:30 pm : Gala Dinner at Wat Pa Sak
Theme : Thai Lanna Night

Sunday, April 6th

10.00 am : Brunch at the pitch Sponsored by Raimon Land
10:30 am : Mahouts Championship
11:30 am : Visitors Match
13.00 pm : International Press Match
14.00 pm : International Government Match

Mekong River International Multi-sport C...
28 Mar 2008 - 30 Mar 2008
Take in the triathlon races on the longest river in Southeast Asia. Partake in the organized trip “G...
Mekong River International Multi-sport Championship

Date : 28-30 March 2008
Venue : Chiang Rai
Take in the triathlon races on the longest river in Southeast Asia. Partake in the organized trip “Gateway to Indochina”. Enjoy the food festival and beautiful cultural shows.
Contact : TAT Northern Office : Region 2
Tel : 0 5371 7433, 0 5374 4674-5
Website : www.thaitriathlon.org

Chiang Rai

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Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand is about 785 kilometers north of Bangkok. Situated on the Kok River basin, Chiang Rai covers an area of approximately 11,678 square meters with an average elevation of 580 meters above sea level. The province, which is located within the renowned Golden Triangle area where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge, is also known as the gateway to Myanmar, Laos and Southern China.

Chiang Rai, which was founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai,
was the first capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom (Kingdom of a million rice fields), which was later conquered by Burma. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became a Thai territory and was proclaimed a province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910.

Today, Chiang Rai is a travelers paradise endowed with abundant natural tourist attractions and antiquities; the province itself is evidence of past civilization. Attractions range from magnificent mountain scenery, ruins of ancient settlements, historic sites, Buddhist shrines and ethnic villages as the province is also home to several hill tribes who maintain fascinating lifestyles. For those interested in the natural side of Chiang Rai, jungle trekking is recommended along various trails.

Chiang Rai which tends to be a little more 'laid back' now competes with Chiang Mai as a tourist attraction and is fast becoming a popular escape for tourists wanting to get away from the troubles they left behind.

Chiang Rai is Thailand's most overlooked city and province. It offers a variety of attractions, beautiful natural surroundings, nice people and a mild climate. We are pleased to give you an impression of this magnificent province. This website gives you information about Chiang Rai Province and Chiang Rai City, and also some interesting information about restaurants, hotels and resorts, etc.
Chiang Rai province is the most nothern province of Thailand, about 785 kilometres from Bangkok. Chiang Rai has an area of 11,678 square kilometres and 1,129,701 people live here. The majority of the population is Thai. 12,5% of the population are Hill Tribes. The province borders Myanmar on the North, and Laos on the north and northeast. It is also known as a gateway to Myanmar, Laos and China. The province has an interesting past and its pure nature makes Chiang Rai popular for its pleasant, relaxing atmosphere and its rich cultural diversity. Chiang Rai is famous for its tasty lychees, The Golden Triangle, 26 waterfalls and 12 National Parks. It is also home to a several of the Thailands oldest civilisations. These Hill Tribes maintain fascinating lifestyles. There are good expectations for investments for the future, since there will be good things happening arround here. There are a lot of companies opening and investing in this province. Also Her Higness Crown Princess will move into her grandmothers Royal Palace. Chiang Rai city is home to 62,000 persons. A city with village characteristics with all necessary facilities: schools, hospitals, shops etc., are all over the place. There are several good restaurants and if you like the local food, there is plenty of choise. The renovated market offers plenty of food choices with a Thai atmosphere. The night bazar is absolutely worth the visit.