Soothsayers predict adequate water, abundant rice yields

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Soothsayers predict adequate water, abundant rice yields

Published: 9 May 2012 at 13.02
Online news: Local News

A fair amount of water, an abundance of food and good rice harvests were predicted for the coming year by soothsayers at the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang on Wednesday morning.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn attends the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang on May 9, 2012. (Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd)

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn arrived at the ceremonial ground at 8.30am and presided over the ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, government officials, farmers and people from all over the country.

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heartie
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Discussion 11 : 09 May 2012 at 22.1811
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Now, if only they could have predicted the abundance of water last year (e.g. The Great Flood), they'd be considered really sacred. Then again, nobody in Thailand listens to bad predictions from soothsayers! I could never figure out what makes the oxen so sacred other than their white colour.
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soltair
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Discussion 10 : 09 May 2012 at 22.0610
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Beautifully played out traditional Hindu ceremony. Sacred cows? Of course cows are not sacred. It's a colourful show of make belief. Ever watched a play on stage, a Shakespeare, of course it's not the real thing it's a play. Would you like tradition and art for that matter disappear because it is not rational? Please not, I feel a hell of a lot more at home here than anywhere else because of these shows. It's a nice colourful change from the not so colourful daily money grabbing show played by our self serving servants, you don't believe them either don't you, even if they have a pretty face. Lets keep the traditions or else it would be so cold as in New York in the winter;-)
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bonzo
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Discussion 9 : 09 May 2012 at 19.069
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Everyone loves a bit of pomp & circumstance from time to time … and why not?
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drsmith
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Discussion 8 : 09 May 2012 at 19.028
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D6 Thailand would be NO poorer if it abandoned this tradition. They might be poorer from all the practical people you claim handling another flood. Only a fool bets on luck, that is why the casino's at Poi Pet are full of Thai's everyday. Ever see toys hanging off the bottom bumper of cars in Thailand? This is because some Thai's actually believe the spirits of all the dead will come up out of the road and claim them if they don't have a toy to play with. That is being really practical!
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hawaiiman
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Discussion 7 : 09 May 2012 at 17.447
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And what about Groundhog Day?
Wonder if anyone has bothered to check the track record of these forecasts??
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hawaiiman
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Discussion 6 : 09 May 2012 at 17.416
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D-1,D-2 Get a grip!
A lovely tradition! Thailand would be poorer if it abandoned these ceremonies.
On the other hand, farmers are a practical lot and I doubt too many actually take a lot of stock in these forecasts. It's a lot of fun, and a little good luck never hurts.
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wantmyony
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Discussion 5 : 09 May 2012 at 17.275
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While other countries have their own tradition replaced by Lady GaGa, its comforting to see thailand still keeps its 700 year old tradition alive. However it would be good if public is educated on whats going on and the meaning if the annual rice planting rituals, it should be another must see tourist attraction. A country without traditon is a country without soul, the oxes may be right about good harvest especially the part about having enough water because there may just be another great flood coming soon. The oxes should have chosen Chivas, it will qualifies as another PT members of parliament.
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 4 : 09 May 2012 at 16.404
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Sure this is not accurate, but on the other hand I doubt that most predictions from Thai politicians are more accurate than the predictions from the oxen.
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koolbreez
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Discussion 3 : 09 May 2012 at 16.183
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It is so good to see traditions maintained, and that the oxen did not drink the alcohol. That was for a few members of the cabinet, and would have spelled disaster if the oxen had drank it, disaster for the oxen...hehehehe.

No matter how this looks to an educated person, it is good to see tradition kept alive. This brings hope to some, and in that it is good. With the current state of the country hope is a good thing to have. With a world surplus of rice, good crop yealds might not be a good thing though.
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drsmith
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Discussion 2 : 09 May 2012 at 14.292
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Still believing in predictions by animals? Unbelievable!
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