The 15th Princess Pa’s Cup Delivers a Masterclass in Coastal Elegance at InterContinental Hua Hin
There are few sporting occasions in Thailand that manage to unite the grace of equestrian competition, the ease of a seaside afternoon, and the weight of royal charitable purpose quite as effortlessly as the Princess Pa’s Cup InterContinental – B.Grimm Beach Polo Hua Hin. On Saturday, April 4, 2026, the fifteenth edition of this iconic event unfolded across the sun-drenched beachfront of InterContinental Hua Hin Resort — and it did not disappoint. What began as an ambitious vision to bring beach polo to Thai shores has, over a decade and a half, matured into one of Southeast Asia’s most anticipated dates on the luxury lifestyle calendar.
Held under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, the tournament is far more than a sporting spectacle. Organised by B.Grimm in collaboration with Proud Group, InterContinental Hua Hin Resort and Bluport Hua Hin, its enduring mission is the support of the Kamlangjai Project — an initiative dedicated to rehabilitation, vocational training and the reintegration of inmates into society. The convergence of sporting excellence and social purpose gives the event a depth that sets it apart from comparable gatherings in the region.
Dr Harald Link, chairman of B.Grimm and president of the Thailand Equestrian Federation under Royal Patronage, has long championed beach polo as a discipline that demands both skill and an acute reading of nature itself. Tidal conditions dictate the quality of play, with matches requiring sand firm enough to allow the horses to perform at their best. “It reflects both the precision and spirit of the sport,” he observed — a sentiment that encapsulates the particular romance of watching polo unfold against the backdrop of the Gulf of Thailand. Hua Hin’s wide, enduring stretch of shoreline and its distinguished equestrian heritage make it one of a handful of locations in the world capable of hosting the sport at this level.
This year’s field was genuinely international in character, with teams representing Thailand, Belgium, England and the United States competing across a programme of fast-paced, closely contested matches. The afternoon’s action built to an absorbing conclusion: Belgium defeating the United States 7–6 in a tightly fought final, while England overcame Thailand 4–2. The final standings saw England take first place, Thailand second, Belgium third and the United States fourth. The Most Valuable Player award was presented to Rajat R. Khatri of the Thailand team — a recognition that drew considerable warmth from a partisan but sporting crowd.
Between and beyond the matches, the event demonstrated the organisers’ understanding that great occasions are never about the sport alone. Horse racing and a fashion show on horseback offered a rare and visually arresting spectacle, while sponsor showcases and a parade of players and horses along the shoreline lent the afternoon a festive, almost theatrical quality. The crowd — drawing business leaders, polo enthusiasts, diplomats, locals and tastemakers from across Thailand and beyond — reflected the calibre and reach that the Princess Pa’s Cup has attained over fifteen years.
Proudputh Liptapanlop, executive director of Proud Group, spoke of the event’s role within a broader vision for Hua Hin as a destination. “Proud Group is committed to introducing world-class lifestyle experiences that enhance Hua Hin’s appeal across sports, music, arts and gastronomy. Beach polo is one of the signature events that reflects the character and identity of the city.” Her words ring true: in an era where resort towns compete fiercely for international attention, Hua Hin’s ability to stage an event of this stature is an asset that extends well beyond a single afternoon.
As the afternoon light softened into dusk, the beachfront gave way to an equally compelling scene on the lawn of InterContinental Hua Hin Resort. Beneath a canopy of warm string lights and with the hotel’s distinctive colonial façade as a backdrop, round tables dressed in white gathered a crowd that spanned nationalities, industries and generations — united, it seemed, by a shared appreciation for an occasion done properly. The “Celestial Blue & Pearl Summer Elegance Dinner” was precisely that: unhurried, gracious and beautifully staged, with the lawn and gardens of the InterContinental transformed into an open-air dining room that felt at once grand and intimate. The setting rewarded those who paused to take it in — the soft pink of the fading sky above the roofline, the candlelight catching on glassware, the gentle hum of conversation from guests who had no particular desire to be anywhere else.
A charity auction in support of the Kamlangjai Project provided the evening’s most charged moments, with two works of considerable resonance going under the gavel: a museum-quality reproduction of George Stubbs’ celebrated 1762 masterpiece “Whistlejacket” — secured by Khun Shasha Shi — alongside “Evening (ยามเย็น)” by revered Thai artist Tawee Kesa-ngam, won by Khun Ithichai Poolvaraluck. The choice of lots, one drawn from the Western canon and one from the Thai tradition, felt entirely in keeping with an event that has always looked outward as much as it looks inward.
The evening drew to a close with a performance by select artists from the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra — an intimate coda that proved all the more affecting for its scale. A handful of soloists and string players, formally dressed against the warm night air, brought a quiet elegance to the lawn that a grander production might easily have overwhelmed. It was the right ending: understated, cultured, and entirely in keeping with the spirit of the day.
After fifteen years, the Princess Pa’s Cup has earned its place as one of Thailand’s defining luxury lifestyle events — not merely for what it offers in spectacle, but for the consistency of its ambition. Sport, society, art, music, cuisine and charity coexist here with a naturalness that is genuinely rare. In a season increasingly defined by global competition for the attention of the world’s most discerning travellers, Hua Hin — and events like this — continue to make a compelling case.