Elephant polo was first played by Mogul Indian Kings but was brought to Thailand in 2001. It is played primarily in SE Asia but the players range from all over the world.
The Kings Cup takes place in Chiang Rai Thailand. This area known as the Golden Triangle, where the countries of Burma, Thailand and Laos converge, has a long history of opium cultivation and drug smuggling. Elephants are a key symbol of Thailands history. The weeklong tournament honors the Thai king and all profits go to the Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang, Thailand.
It is a collaboration of man and beast; the player, the “mahout ” (wrangler) and the elephant. There is some sort of colonial dance played out here in these photographs. The pith helmeted player with high end sponsors and the native mahout perched above him upon the giant animal. Their worlds converge here but they come from a totally different social and economic positions.
The Kings Cup takes place in Chiang Rai Thailand. This area known as the Golden Triangle, where the countries of Burma, Thailand and Laos converge, has a long history of opium cultivation and drug smuggling. Elephants are a key symbol of Thailands history. The weeklong tournament honors the Thai king and all profits go to the Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang, Thailand.
It is a collaboration of man and beast; the player, the “mahout ” (wrangler) and the elephant. There is some sort of colonial dance played out here in these photographs. The pith helmeted player with high end sponsors and the native mahout perched above him upon the giant animal. Their worlds converge here but they come from a totally different social and economic positions.
