Have You Herd? Anantara's Elephant Parade Has Arrived in Bangkok

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Dec 15, 2015, 10:55 ET

Anantara Hotels and Resorts has launched the world's largest open air art exhibition - Elephant Parade Bangkok 2015 - in the heart of the Thai capital. The exhibition, featuring almost one hundred brightly colored 1.5 meter elephant statues which have been painted by local and international artists, such as designer Paul Smith, will move throughout the city as a herd to raise awareness for the plight of elephants. In February they will be auctioned off with the proceeds being donated to a number of...

BANGKOK, Dec. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is partnering with Elephant Parade® and top local and international celebrities and artists to bring the world's largest open air art exhibition, Elephant Parade, to Bangkok. The exhibition features a herd of almost one hundred 1.5 metre brightly coloured elephants – which have been specially decorated and hand painted and will be exhibited in key locations throughout Bangkok through January 29^th 2016.

The first major Elephant Parade was held in Rotterdam in the Netherlands in 2007 and has since been exhibited in cities across the world including London, Singapore, Amsterdam, Milan and Hong Kong. Elephant Parade Bangkok will be a first for Thailand and the only one for the city.

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.

All 88 elephants showcased in Elephant Parade Bangkok are available for the public to bid for and own in an online auction. In February 2016 a selection of elephants from the parade will be auctioned off by Christie's at a charity gala dinner at Anantara Siam Bangkok, with the proceeds going to the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. The Foundation will then select and fund a range of sustainable programmes that benefit the elephants of Thailand, including Wildlife Alliance, Freeland, WildAid, Think Elephants and Thai Elephant Therapy Project.

The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) was set up in 2006 to improve the plight of Thailand's elephants, and has since been diversified to include welfare projects that incorporate broader philanthropic and cultural objectives with unprecedented success.

"The more awareness that is raised about 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."

Artists from all walks of life have designed elephants, each an original piece of art to help paint a brighter future for the country's national animal. Famous supporters of Elephant Parade Bangkok include: Hangover 2 star Nirut Sirichanya; Furious 7 star Tony Jaa; Designer Paul Smith; World Number One DJ, Hardwell; Miss Thailand World, Sirinya Bishop; Artists Elizabeth Romhild, Elsie Evans and Nancy Chandler, 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."

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 miniature Elephant Parade statue of the winner's choice from a selected range of designs.

For more information on Elephant Parade Bangkok 2015, plus the online auction and Instagram competition please visit www.elephantparadebangkok.com.