ภาพแข่งขันโปโลช้างในประเทศไทย

An elephant competing for Citibank moves its trunk toward the goal line, 2014 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Samut Prakan province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Aug. 28, 2014. (Steve Herman/VOA).

A prayer ceremony opens the elephant polo match. Director Tim Boda is flanked by Thailand's last remaining Kru Ba Yai (elephant spirit men), 2014 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Samut Prakan province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Aug. 28,

A Thai dance troupe poses prior to the elephant polo match, 2014 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Samut Prakan province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Aug. 28, 2014. (Steve Herman/VOA).

Dancers performing to kick off the elephant polo match, 2014 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Samut Prakan province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Aug. 28, 2014. (Steve Herman/VOA).

The stick for elephant polo measures two meters long, 2014 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Samut Prakan province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Aug. 28, 2014. (Steve Herman/VOA).

A monk blesses the elephants prior to the start of the polo match, 2014 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Samut Prakan province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Aug. 28, 2014. (Steve Herman/VOA).

This year's lineup is composed of 51 elephants, all relatively docile teenage females, 2014 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Samut Prakan province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Aug. 28, 2014. (Steve Herman/VOA).

The female teenage pachyderms on parade prior to the start of the annual polo event, 2014 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Samut Prakan province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Aug. 28, 2014. (Steve Herman/VOA).

Two elephants head for the ball in a game played at a much slower pace than horse polo, 2014 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Samut Prakan province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Aug. 28, 2014. (Steve Herman/VOA).