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King’s Cup Elephant Polo

Anantara Hotels Resorts and Spas’ annual charity event The King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament helps fund The Thai Elephant Therapy Project (TETP) – this technique uses domestic elephants in therapy sessions with autistic children in the Northern Thailand town of Lampang.  The event was held March 10th through 13th along the bank of the scenic Chaophraya River in Bangkok.

The Thai Elephant Therapy Project (TETP) was created in conjunction with Chiang Mai University and the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre and is designed to provide autistic children with an opportunity to develop their social interaction and emotional skills by using elephants as a working partner with occupational therapists.

The elephants used in the project have been rescued from the streets of Thailand and have gone through specific training to ensure that they are healthy and well prepared for the clinical research sessions. The elephants are accompanied by their expert mahout handlers, alongside human therapists and researchers.

“The Thai Elephant Therapy Project is a world first and it showcases Thailand as a pioneer in the support of research into alternative therapy solutions”, said Anantara’s Director of Elephants and Conservation Efforts, John Roberts. “Results from the project showed that the children displayed improved adaptive behaviour, sensory processing, postural control, balance and improved social skills, while their parents also reported perceived improvement and satisfaction with the programme.”

About The Author

Christopher Ryan is an international photographer specializing in conceptual portraits in unique environments, such as abandoned buildings and picturesque landscapes. His work breaks the barriers of race, age, and geographic location, capturing the energy and exuberance of the human form. He was influenced by his unusual upbringing in the American South. He seeks to retain the virtues of Southern Charm while abandoning pre-conceived notions of prejudice.