20 Years on the Field: The B.Grimm Thai Polo Open Marks a Milestone in Pattaya

As the Princess’s Cup returns later this January, the B.Grimm Thai Polo Open celebrates two decades of sport, style, and giving back

Some sporting events become traditions not because they are loud or lavish, but because they endure. The B.Grimm Thai Polo Open is one of them. This January, the tournament marks its 20th anniversary at Thai Polo Club Pattaya, reaffirming its place as one of Pattaya’s most anticipated fixtures on the social and sporting calendar.

Slated to take place on Saturday, 24 January 2026, the tournament will once again be played for the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Cup - a reminder that this is not just about competition, but continuity. Over the past two decades, the Thai Polo Open has quietly built a reputation for combining international-level polo with a strong sense of purpose.

Founded by Dr Harald Link, Chairman of B.Grimm, together with Ms Nunthinee Tanner, the event has grown into Thailand’s foremost charity polo tournament. Proceeds have consistently supported the Chitralada Technology Institute, helping fund scholarships and vocational education focused on practical skills and long-term opportunity.

International Play, Pattaya Setting

This year’s competition brings together four teams from across Asia and Europe, reflecting the increasingly global profile of polo in Thailand. Teams from Thailand, Hong Kong, China, and Germany will take to the field, promising fast-paced matches set against the open green grounds of the club a setting that feels worlds away from the city, despite being just outside it. Yet the appeal of the Thai Polo Open has never been limited to the action on horseback. The day has always been as much about atmosphere as athletics.

More Than a Match

Unlike more formal sporting events, the Thai Polo Open has retained a relaxed, open-air charm. Families, longtime patrons, and first-time visitors mingle easily, whether browsing sponsor booths, enjoying a long lunch, or watching the matches unfold from shaded seating.

This anniversary edition adds a show jumping competition to the program, widening the equestrian focus, while younger guests can take part in pony rides and feeding activities often a highlight for children encountering horses up close for the first time. And then there’s the tradition that everyone joins in on: the stomping of divots, where spectators head onto the field during breaks to help repair the turf, turning a practical task into a social ritual.

Attending the Event

Guests can attend with a donation wristband priced at 1,500 baht, which includes lunch, afternoon tea, and access to activities throughout the day, with proceeds benefiting the Chitralada Technology Institute. For groups, table reservations offer a more anchored way to experience the event, with reserved seating, food and drinks, and a limited-edition 20th anniversary souvenir.

After 20 years, the Thai Polo Open feels less like a one-off event and more like a gathering that people return to year after year. It’s a reminder that sport, when rooted in community and generosity, can become something lasting, an annual pause in January where competition, conversation, and cause meet on the same field.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, 24 January 2026

Time: 12.30 PM – 6.00 PM

Venue: Thai Polo Club Pattaya

Dress Code: Sport Smart Casual

Table Reservations & Inquiries

Email: info@bgrimmcountryclub.com

Tel: 02 651 4081–5