Inspired by a father and son’s trip to an elephant hospital in Thailand, the Elephant Parade started in 2006 as a way of raising awareness to elephant conservation efforts, and has since toured to cities around the world such as Amsterdam, London, Hong Kong, and many more to promote its cause. Today, the exhibition has landed back in the land that inspired the movement, with 88 brightly decorated elephant statues being staged in Thailand, a partnership between the organization and Anantara Hotels, Resorts, and Spas.
Held to honor the 88th birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the 1.5-meter elephants can be found at the Siam Paragon shopping center in Bangkok starting December 1 to 18, after which it will relocate to Asiatique on the banks of the Chao Phraya River from December 20 to January 11, and the Lumpini Park from January 18 to 29. While pretty to look at, the pieces, bathed in an array of colors and ornaments by different artists, are more than just eye candy. Each of the elephant statues are available for the public to bid for and own in an online auction, with all proceeds being donated to the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, which will in turn select strategic partners to drive forward key projects to improve the lives of elephants, including by building the first elephant clinic in Chiang Mai’s Mae Tean Valley and helping protect wild elephants in the nation’s national parks.
To help raise more awareness and funds for elephant welfare and conservation projects, Anantara Hotels Resorts & Spas is also giving visitors the chance to win a seven-day trip to Anantara’s resorts in the Maldives and other exceptional prizes through an Instagram competition. The grand prize winner will enjoy the authentic luxuries of Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort and Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, while other prizes include a four-day stay at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort in Thailand and a 75-cm Elephant Parade statue of the winner’s choice from a selected range of designs.
For more information, visit Anantara.
