Beach Polo Attracts Visitors to Hua Hin The latest Beach Polo in Hua Hin has attracted both Thai and foreign tourists as HRH the Crown Prince of Pahang state in Malaysia attended the event with his royal consort. Held on 11 April at 4 p.m. on the beach in front of the Inter Continental Hotel Hua Hin, the event entitled, ‘Inter Continental-B Grimm Beach Polo in Celebration of Hua Hin 100th Anniversary’, was organized by the former Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop and the owner of the Inter Continental Hua Hin with cooperation of the Prachuabkhirikhan province and the Hua Hin Municipality. Its aim is to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this famous beachfront city of Thailand and promote the summer trip there among Thai and foreign visitors.
On this occasion, HRH Crown Prince Abdullah of Pahang (Malaysia) joined the event with his royal consort and took part in the competition on behalf of the Royal Pahang Polo Club. The event began at 3 p.m. when a parade of 60 horses and a marching band was launched from the Clock Tower on the Patchakasem Road to the beach. On arrival there, a black horse in the parade suffered from hot weather and ran into the water. It died instantly before authorities could give it any help. Subsequently, Mr. Suwat, the Prachuabkhirikhan Governor Mr. Weera Sriwattanatrakul and the Hua Hin Mayor Mr. Jira Pongpaiboon gave an opening speech. Afterwards, there was a horse riding show performed by elites and well-known businesspeople of Thailand along with fashion show on horseback by Thai and foreign models.
Then, there was a competition of horse riding by a group of horse renting people in Hua Hin and a Thai youth polo competition. The highlight of this event, the polo competition between Thailand and Malaysia, was so intense that the crowd could not take their eyes out of it. Finally, the Malaysian team won the Thai one, scoring 6-4. The former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand presented a trophy to the Crown Prince of Pahang. According to Mr. Suwat, this event helped a lot in booting tourism in Hua Hin, especially in this summer.
Earlier during the New Year’s, the World Tennis Tournament was held here, followed by a kiteboarding competition and the beach polo, which can be considered a national sport event. All of them are held annually to promote Hua Hin, an old and famous Thai beachfront city, among Thais and foreigners. Mr. Suwat added that it was the first time that the polo had been organized on the beach as it normally took place on the ground. This is a good idea, though, because it interests more Thai youths as the sport in already included in international sports, too. The Hua Hin Beach Polo is highly successful thanks to the participation of HRH Crown Prince Abdullah of Pahang and his royal consort. Income from the event will be donated to the Foundation of the Princess Mother via its Chairperson Lady Sumalee Jatikawanich who also participated in the event with her members.
