An abundance of rice, grains and other food and a sufficient supply of water has been predicted for the year ahead, at the Royal Ploughing ceremony at Sanam Luang on Friday.
The Royal Ploughing Day, according to South Asian ancient belief, marks the inauguration of the farming season, with both Buddhist and Brahmin ceremonies.
His Majesty the King presided over the ceremony, held annually on the sixth lunar month. The ceremony was broadcast live.
Theerapat Prayurasiddhi, permanent secretary for agriculture, performed as Phraya Raek Na, the Lord of the Plough, and was joined by consecrated women -- officials from the Agriculture Ministry -- carrying gold and silver baskets filled with rice seeds.
The sacred oxen were offered seven choices of food for the annual prediction. The sacred oxen chose to eat paddy, maize and grass, leading to the prediction of an abundant food supply and plenty of water.
Sacred oxen eat from items of food put before them. The types of food they choose to eat helps determine the prediction on the year's harvest. Chanat Katanyu
Phraya Raek Na selected a piece of folded cloth that was five kueb long, leading to the prediction there will be a sufficient supply of water, a good rice harvest and an abundance of food.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, people rushed to collect the blessed rice strewn over the ground, which is believed to bring good fortune. They were from the royal Chitralada projects set up by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
In provinces, many farmers took the opportunity to begin sowing. However, in Nakhon Ratchasima's Khon Buri district, durian growers chose the day to start picking their fruit with the intention of beginning to sell it.
During his weekly programme, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha warned Thai farmers about changes in environment, agricultural technology as well as rice and farming markets which they should always keep themselves updated on.
The Lord of the Plough throws rice paddy in the air as a way of blessing the ceremony. Chanat Katanyu
"We all know that many countries are investing in rice production domestically and overseas.
"Many countries are looking to purchase quality rice at lower prices for domestic consumption. The competition has been fierce with different prices as well," he said.
He also addressed the problem of middlemen taking advantage of farmers as well as the fluctuations of prices in the futures markets, and added that the government would help Thai farmers to find comprehensive solutions that will increase productivity and sustainability.
For rice, he said, there are three main projects: the large-scale farming project, the promotion of high-quality Hom Mali rice and the organic rice project.
Each project will last five years, with a total budget of 25.871 billion baht, he said.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative is promoting the large-scale farming concept on 750 plots, an increase of 750,000 rai, in addition to the promotion of high-quality Hom Mali rice in 21 provinces covering 300,000 rai.
Spectators break through a barricade and scramble to pick up blessed seeds strewn on the ceremonial ploughing grounds. Apichart Jinakul
The government will increase the plantations for organic rice to one million rai in 3 years, he said.
Last year, 425 plots of land covering one million rai were turned into large-scale plantations.
Producers in 47 provinces have been certified for organic rice growing in 5,362 plots, or 60,000 rai, of farmland.
People fill the ceremonial ground and pick up blessed seeds, which they keep as an auspicious token. Apichart Jinakul