Bangkok, THAILAND, Dec.
8, 2015--Anantara Hotels, Resorts &
Spas along with Elephant Parade® launched the world’s largest open air art
exhibition - Elephant Parade Bangkok
2015 - in the heart of the Thai capital.
 |
| H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej |
The exhibition, featuring
88 brightly decorated elephant statues has been staged to honour the 88th
birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, the world’s longest reigning monarch.
The first Elephant Parade
was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in 2007 and has since exhibited in many
cities around the world including London, Singapore, Amsterdam, Milan and Hong
Kong. Bangkok Elephant Parade 2015 is a first for Thailand and will be the only
one for the capital.
The event was originally
created after founder Marc Spits and his
son Mike visited the Friends of the Asian Elephant hospital in Lampang
northern Thailand, which treats sick and injured elephants.
There they saw Mosha, a baby elephant who lost her leg
after stepping on a landmine when she was only seven months old. She is fitted
with a new prosthetic leg every year and must then learn to walk all over
again. Mosha always features in each Elephant Parade exposition and will have a
specially Thai themed painted prosthetic leg for the Bangkok Parade.
 |
| Sirinya Bishop |
All 88 elephants showcased
in Elephant Parade Bangkok are available for the public to bid for and own in
an online auction and in February 2016 a final selection of elephants will be
auctioned off by Christies at a gala dinner to be held at Anantara Siam
Bangkok.
Proceeds from both auctions will be donated to
the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation who in turn will select strategic
partners to drive forward key projects including building the first elephant
clinic in Chiang Mai’s Mae Teang Valley, expanding their Positive Reinforcement
Target Training Project to even more elephants and helping protect the wild
elephants in Thailand’s National Parks.
“The more awareness that
is raised on the plight of domestic and wild elephants in Thailand, the better
the chances we have for their survival,” William
E. Heinecke, Chairman and CEO of Minor International, the parent company of
Anantara, Hotels Resorts & Spas, commented. “I can’t think of a better way
to raise awareness and money than bringing the largest open air art exhibition
in support of Asian Elephants to Bangkok.”
 |
| Elizabeth Romhild |
Famous supporters of
Elephant Parade Bangkok include: Hangover
2 star Nirut Sirichanya; Fast and Furious 7 star Tony Jaa; Designer Paul Smith;
World Number One DJ, Hardwell; Miss Thailand World, Sirinya Bishop; Artists
Elizabeth Romhild, Elsie Evans; Sculptor Gavin Fifield and a wide range of
Thai celebrities and artists.
“In my life I have spent a lot of quality time
with elephants. I grew up in a mahout family and started my movie career with
an elephant as a co-star,” said Fast and Furious 7 star and Elephant Parade
Ambassador Tony Jaa. “I want to
thank all the people and organisations who take the time and resources to
ensure the safety of these intelligent creatures in Thailand and around the
world.”
“I am so excited and honoured
to be chosen to be one of the artists for the Elephant Parade. What a wonderful
way to get people talking and taking action in elephant conservation,” actress
and Elephant Parade Bangkok ambassador, Sirinya
Bishop said.
 |
| Elsie Evans |
“The elephant is our country’s national animal
and symbol, but somehow this once-revered and noble creature is now forced to
beg for food on the busy and dangerous streets of the capital. I truly hope
that this magnificent colorful pachyderm parade will raise the awareness and
inspire us all to take more concrete steps to ensure their survival and well-being.”
To help raise more
awareness and funds for elephant welfare and conservation projects, Anantara
Hotels Resorts & Spas are giving Elephant Parade 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, other prizes include a four day stay at Anantara
Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Thailand and a 75-cm Elephant
Parade statue of the winner’s choice from a selected range of designs.
 |
| Mosha Gets a Treat |
For more information on
Elephant Parade Bangkok 2015, plus the online auction and Instagram competition
please visit www.elephantparadebangkok.com
The 1.5 metre elephants
are on show from 1st – 18th December 2015 at the world-class luxury shopping
centre, Siam Paragon; the herd will then move to Asiatique on the banks of the
Chao Phraya River from 20th December 2015 – 11th January 2016 and finally Lumpini
Park, in the heart of the city, from 18th – 29th January 2016.
For a complete copy of the company’s news release,
please contact:
Hwee Peng Yeo
Vice President, Asia
Markets
Glodow Nead Communications
San Francisco • New York •
Singapore • Shanghai
Level 21, Centennial
Tower, 3 Temasek Avenue • Singapore 039190
Level 15, One Corporate
Avenue, 222 Hubin Road, Shanghai China, 200021
1700 Montgomery Street,
Suite 203 • San Francisco, CA • 94111
杨慧萍
副总裁
博德纳公关咨询公司
Centennial Tower 21层，Temasek Avenue 3号， 新加坡邮区039190
上海湖滨路222号企业天地一号15层，中国邮编20021
