A prosperous economy, plentiful water and abundant food were predicted during this year's Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang on Monday.
The annual ceremony was presided over by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, on behalf of His Majesty the King. Accompanied by his son Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, the Crown Prince arrived at the ceremonial ground at 8.35am.
Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the prime minister and chairman of the National Council for Peace and Order, cabinet ministers, government officials, farmers and a large number of spectators were present at the ceremony.
Theerapat Prayurasiddhi, permanent secretary for agriculture, performed as Phraya Raek Na -- Lord of the Ploughing Ceremony.
Phraya Raek Na led two sacred oxen, Phoem and Phoon, to plough furrows in the ceremonial ground.
Four consecrated women in the procession carrying gold and silver baskets filled with rice seeds scattered them into the fresh furrows. Walking alongside the plough were official Brahmans from the Royal Court who chanted and blew conch shells.
Phraya Raek Na was offered three pieces of folded cloth, each of a hidden different length. He selected the five kuebs long (five handspans, a little over one metre).
Based on his selection, water will be plentiful, crops will yield good harvests and food supplies will be abundant.
The sacred oxen were offered seven bowls containing grass, paddy, maize, sesame seeds, soy bean, water and liquor. The oxen ate paddy and maize, leading to the prediction that there will be plenty of food and sufficient water for agriculture; that communication and foreign trade will improve, leading to a prosperous economy.
A total of 2,667 kilogrammes of paddy of seven strains were brought to undergo the ceremony. Part of it was strewn over the ceremonial ground after the ceremony, and the crown rushed to gather them up as the grains are considered auspicious for farming. The rest were put in small packages to be sent to various provinces to be distributed to farmers.