The King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament

The ancient game of polo is renowned as an exotic and fast-paced sport with big egos, big money, and big risks. But there are always those who like to take things into uncharted territory – hence, the thunderous spectacle of elephant polo, perhaps the world’s most eccentric sport. First played in the Nepalese highlands in the early 1980s, the sport was brought to Thailand for the first time in 2001 by the Anantara Resort and Spa.

Held amid the densely forested expanse of rolling hills and ethnic hill tribes known as the Golden Triangle that borders Laos and Myanmar, The King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament has become a major event for Thailand. There are only a handful of official teams, but they come from far and wide: Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, the US, and even Iceland. The sport has special significance in Thailand where the elephant is revered for its strength, intelligence, and loyalty. The annual occasion draws tourists and celebrities from every corner of the world and is sponsored by names such as Mercedes Benz and Moet & Chandon. Proceeds from the event are put directly back into the Thailand Elephant Conservation Centre, which provides food, shelter, medical care, and training for the gentle beast’s mahouts, or handlers.