The Intercontinental Asian Beach Polo Championship 2013 in Hua Hin ended with great success as Thailand won first place over Macao.
On 20th April 2013, at 3 p.m., the former Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop Chaired the opening of the 2013 Asian Beach Polo Championship at the Intercontinental Hua Hin. Four polo teams representing Thailand, Macao, Hong Kong and India took part in the Event for the Princess Bhachara Kittiyapa Trophy.
Before the commencing of the Event there was a parade of 60 beautiful horses from the Hua Hin Clock Tower to the beach.
A highlight of the event was undoubtedly a fierce competition between Thai and Macao equestrians. Thanks to their aggressive, active, yet amusing technique the Thai equestrians beat Macao with a score of 4-0 to winning first place. Macao and Hong Kong took home the second and third prizes respectively.
According to Mr. Suwat, beach polo is a sport that is well suited to Hua Hin and promotes tourism to the City, attracting both Thai and foreign people. “I had a chance to talk to some foreigners on Hua Hin beaches who were impressed with both the beaches and the activities there, especially beach polo.
This is an internationally known sport that can be a value adding Event for the city. If other beachfront towns such as Pattaya, Samui or Phuket organised a similar event to ours, tourism in Thailand would be upgraded” said Mr. Suwat.
Impressed with the great success of beach polo in Hua Hin, Mr. Suwat added that he would organise this Event every year with cooperation from the Prachuap Khirikhan Provincial Office, the Hua Hin Municipality and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
He reminded Hua Hin people that no other countries in Asia organise beach polo. Hua Hin is a City where many good horses were bred during World War II. “The living proof of this is the many horses for rent on Hua Hin beaches. So why not hold beach polo every year?” concluded Mr. Suwat.
