Elephant polo | Reuters.com.

Yesterday was the commencement of 10th King’s Cup Elephant Polo at Suriyothai Camp, Hua Hin.

Went along to see my ‘George’ elephant, which I painted for the fund raising for charity for the event.  Fund raising is by ‘silent auction’.  I, together with several local celebrities have all painted George for this event.

Here is the press release:-

As Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa prepares to host the 10^th Kings Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in September they are taking a larger than life approach to help raise awareness and money for Thailand’s national symbol – the elephant.

From a six time Grammy Award winning US band, Lady Antebellum and Louis Vuitton’s head designer, Kim Jones to Asia’s top TV and music stars, Anantara has partnered with some of the world’s biggest personalities of the screen, stage, fashion and business world and asked them to share their larger than life artistic talents to help raise money through an ele-auction to be held during a gala dinner at the King’s Cup Elephant Polo tournament in Hua Hin, Thailand on Saturday 10^th September, 2011.

The auction’s concept is for each celebrity to paint and decorate “George” – a small plain elephant that needs some love, attention and colour to make him larger than life in order to brighten up the future for all elephants of Thailand. A number of celebrities have been invited to let their imaginations run wild to create their own elephants. Their generosity and creativity brings new life and unique characteristics to George who is sure to bring smiles to the future owners. These include: Thailand: Charm Osthanond (TV star) Cindy Bishop (Supermodel) Lookade Kingpayome (Supermodel) Yuyee Alissa Intusmith (singer) Stamp Apiwat (singer) Sin (singer from the band Singular) Muey (singer from the band Scrubb) William E. Heinecke (Entrepreneur, owner of Minor International and Anantara), Krissada Sukosol Clapp (singer) UK: Kim Jones (Head Designer for Louis Vuitton), Amy Hindmarsh (International Fashion Designer), Korea: Park Jung Min (Korean Pop Star) US: Lady Antebellum (Six time Grammy Award winning band).

All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation which will in turn donate the proceeds to various elephant projects around the country. In 2010, fundraising from the event came to almost BHT 2 million which was donated to the Thai Elephant Therapy Project under the guidance of the National Elephant Institute. This program successfully uses elephants in the therapy of severely autistic children with amazing results.  Overall, the tournament has raised over US$300,000 which has been used to provide medical care, sustenance, employment, welfare and mahout training to Thailand’s elephant population and their trainers.

William E. Heinecke, CEO of Minor International and owner of Anantara said, “We are very excited and grateful to the celebrities who donated their valuable time and support to help raise much needed funds for the struggling Asian elephant.   Our theme of the auction is Larger Than Life and these celebrities have shown that their generosity is just that – larger than life.”

All the celebrity designed elephants will be displayed at Anantara Hua Hin Resort and Spa from August 3^rd – August 31^st, and at the King’s Cup Elephant Polo pitch in Hua Hin prior to the final auction on September 10^th at a gala dinner held at Anantara Hua Hin Resort and Spa.

Larger Than Life Celebrities

		Charm Osathanond is an actress, model and host who won the Miss Thailand Universe pageant in 2006. She is currently hosting the popular Seesan television show on Channel 3 screened every night.
		Kim Jones is the Style Director for Louis Vuitton and has developed a cult following for his refined casual clothing. Alongside his own collection Jones has designed and worked for a variety of companies including Uniqlo, Topman, Umbro producing Umbro by Kim Jones, Mulberry,  Alexander McQueen, Hugo Boss and Iceberg. The Face  magazine had him as one of the top 100 influential people in fashion, at number 20.
		Methinee “Lookade” Kingpayome is one of Thailand’s most famous supermodels/actresses ever since she won Miss Thailand World in 1992. She has starred in a number of Thailand top rated TV Series and appeared in the 2006 movie Mercury Man
		Singer Thawachpol Wongboonsiri (Muey) along with his guitarist Torpong Chantabuppha (Ball) have been wowing music fans in Thailand for the last ten years as the band Scrubb. Leading lights in the Thai music scene with their unique, Brit-pop inspired songs they have been permanent fixtures in Thailand’s top ten music charts. Their last song KhamTob(The Answer) reached number 1 in many local radio charts.
		Cindy Burbridge Bishop is arguably Thailand’s most recognizable supermodels.  In 1996, she represented Thailand in Miss World pageant. After the pageant, she entered the entertainment business, becoming a model for such brands a Chanel, Celine, Lux, Lavenus, Gucci, Fendi, Mazda, Omega Watches and Nescafé. She also worked as a VJ for Channel V International and has launched her own swimwear brand Jantzen.
		Anja Hindmarsh is one of the UK’s most famous designers. At the age of eighteen, Anja Hindmarch was designing her own handbags; her designs are now worn by many of the world’s most glamorous celebrities, including Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, Madonna, Claudia Schiffer and Reese Witherspoon. Her awards include: 2008 – Elle Magazine Award for Outstanding Achievement, 2009 – Appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her contribution to the British fashion industry, 2010 – British Fashion Council’s Press Committee Power List, naming the 25 most influential fashion people
		Bill Heinecke is one of the best-known expatriates in Southeast Asia. He is the driving force behind the unparalleled successes of the stable of subsidiaries under the Minor Group umbrella. These companies add up to an impressive list of leading global brands across the lifestyle and leisure sectors with a proud heritage that is deeply rooted in Thailand. Minor Corporation manufactures and markets a portfolio of leading fashion, cosmetics and leisure brands, while Minor International currently operates 29 world-class hotels and resorts and more than 1000 branded food service outlets across Asia and the Middle East.
		Yuyee Alissa Intusmith is a popular model/singer who has had a number of top five songs to her credit.  A devoted mother to three children and an avid animal conservationist she still finds time saving injured and trapped reptiles across Thailand.
		Krissada Sukosol Clapp, is a Thai-American pop singer and actor. He is member of the Thai pop band Pru. His film roles include Bangkok Loco, The Adventure of Iron Pussy and 13 Beloved. He won best actor awards for 13 Beloved, at the Thailand National Film Association Awards, the Starpics Awards and from the Bangkok Critics Assembly.