Elephant Parade Bangkok officially ended last month with a glittering gala dinner and charity auction held at Anantara Siam Bangkok. The event hosted by prestigious auction house, Christies raised over THB 7 million which will be donated to various charities that benefit wild and domestic elephants throughout the region.
The colourful herd of almost one hundred 1.5 metre elephants has delighted residents and tourists alike as they travelled throughout the Thai capital for three months starting with a launch at Siam Paragon in December 2015 to honour the 88th birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Bangkok’s premier night market, Asiatique was the herd’s second stop before finally ending in the more natural surroundings of Lumphini Park, allowing approximately one million visitors to get up close and personal with the capital’s largest ever outdoor art exhibition.
All elephants showcased in Elephant Parade Bangkok have been available for the public to bid and own in an online auction and twenty, selected by Christies, were auctioned off at the gala dinner. The total amount raised from both auctions has amounted to over THB 10 million, (US$300,000). Notable celebrity painted elephants auctioned off on the night. The final proceeds will be donated to The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation who in turn will select strategic partners to drive forward key conservation projects.
To help raise more awareness and funds for elephant welfare and conservation projects, during the event Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas also gave Elephant Parade visitors the chance to win a seven day trip to Anantara’s resorts in the Maldives through an Instagram competition with the main prize won by Evelyn Zheng.
