| TAKING place for the first time in Bangkok, the 13th annual King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament saw 16 international teams thunder around the pitches of Siam Polo Park – all in the name of elephant conservation. The final, which was presided over by the King of Thailand’s royal representative, Privy Councilor Real Admiral Mom Luang Usni Pramoj, was won by King Power Duty Free, who beat Audemars Piguet in a thrilling ‘sudden death’ play-off. The event was capped with a gala dinner at Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa, where dignitaries, players, media and celebrities enjoyed a night of drinking and dining and fundraising. The night’s auction raised 4.5 million baht for elephant conservation projects, taking the total raised to date by the tournament to an impressive US$900,000 (28.7 million baht). |