In 2007, renowned Australian
designer Wayne Copping was given
the task of establishing an international
standard equestrian cross-country
course which would be suitable as a
venue for international events, such
as the Southeast Asian Games. An
Eventing course was designed by New
Zealander John Nicholson, and this
was used to host the inaugural Asia
Eventing Championships. With the
addition of an endurance course and an
international Derby facility, the Thai Polo
and Equestrian Club is now recognized
as the largest multi-functional polo and
equestrian operation in all of Asia.
The veterinary and quarantine facilities
are second-to-none in the region, with a
leading Argentinian vet acting as general
manager of the complex, overseeing
Argentinian, French and British as well
as local farriers, trainers, and stable staff.
The Thai Polo and Equestrian Club
also includes three clubhouses and the
“Chukka Bar” which is a re-creation of
the famous polo bar at the Langham
Hotel in London. In fact, the original
bar of the London Langham Club was
purchased by Khun Nunthinee and reassembled at the Chukka Bar when the
Langham went through an extensive
remodel.
According to Khun Nunthinee, “The
General Manager of the Langham had
recently arrived after managing the
Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok. We had
become friends during his tenure at the
Oriental and he told me the next time
I was in London to stay at his Hotel. I
did and one day he took me on a tour
of the hotel describing the big remodel
that was planned. When I asked what
would happen to the bar and all of the
memorabilia from the famous Polo
lounge he said they would either be sold
or trashed. I immediately said I’ll buy it!
He asked, buy what? I said all of it. His
staff meticulously packed everything in
a container and shipped it to me here in
Thailand. Once I opened the container I
was amazed at the history of it all.” In
addition to providing the contents for the
Chukka Bar she also personally designed
the magnificent clubhouses.
Through a chance meeting with Dr.
Kris Chatamra, the Queen’s personal
physician, they decided to raise funds
for the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast
Cancer by putting on The Queen’s Cup
Pink Polo Tournament. Now in its
seventh year, this much loved ladies
charitable tournament is held at the
Thai Polo & Equestrian Club. The Pink
theme was chosen because that is the
color that symbolizes the fight against
breast cancer. Each year the clubhouse
is decked out in pink and the spectators
are encouraged to wear the color to
show their support. According to Khun
Nunthinee, “We hope that our event
increases awareness of the threat that
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Apr 15 - May 15 , 2015