March Events

Thai Elephant Week
Date : 13 March 2009
Venue : Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, Lampang

Thailand’s most noble beast, the elephant is the star of two important events this month. In the northern province of Lampang, people interested in the welfare and care of these noble animals gather for Thai Elephant Week, 13 March at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre.The scene of documentary films made for worldwide TV audience, the conservation centre, located in Hang Chat district in Lampang province, is a renowned refuge where elephants, both healthy and invalid, can be cared for and respected.In this day visitors can learn from mahouts about the traditions and practices that help to maintain an elephant’s health and well-being. On the lighter side, visitors can also join the mahouts, feeding the elephants in the style of the northern Khantok dinner. Considered an ancient royal tradition adopted by princes and high-ranking officials of the Lanna Kingdom, the Khantok dinner is at the pinnacle of traditional northern cuisine. So what better way to recognise and respect our elephants than to give them a Khantok treat?

For more information
Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, Tel 66 (0) 5424 7979
http://www.thailandelephant.org/

King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament
Date : 23 - 30 March 2009
Venue : Anantara Golden Triangle Resort, Chiang Rai

The 8th King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament takes place, 23 - 30 March, on the playing field of the Anantara Resort, near the Golden Triangle, Chiang Saen district.First held in Hua Hin, the tournament moved north to Chiang Saen two years ago. The event attracts 50 polo players, who represent teams sponsored by companies in Thailand as well as polo clubs in foreign countries. All told, 12 teams compete for the trophy. It requires 18 elephants to travel to the venue from their home pastures in Surin province, in northeast Thailand.Anantara Resort is located on the road that follows one of the tributaries that flows into the Mekong River at the area known as the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet.It is approximately 80 km north of Chiang Rai. The provincial city is served by both scheduled and low-cost airlines based in Bangkok.

For more information
http://www.anantaraelephantpolo.com/