Royal Ploughing Ceremony Signals Start of Thai Rice Planting Season

Today at Sanam Luang, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, a pivotal event marking the onset of Thailand's rice planting season, was held with grandeur. Presided over by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida, the ceremony included attendance from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, cabinet members, and diplomatic representatives. This traditional event, aligning with the sixth lunar month, is revered for promoting agricultural prosperity and good fortune.

The ceremony’s central figure, Prayoon Insakul, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, assumed the role of the Lord of the Plough. He was joined by Thirada Wongkudlao and Waraporn Wilaimaat, who carried gold baskets, and Chantisara Areesawat and Apichaya Fusang with silver baskets. The sacred oxen, named Phra Ko Pho and Phra Ko Phiang, along with reserves Phra Ko Phoem and Phra Ko Phun, played a crucial role in the ritual.

Proceedings began with a procession past the royal pavilion, followed by the ceremonial ploughing. Adorned oxen and plough embarked on three clockwise rounds of ploughing, during which 4,880 kilogrammes of five rice seed varieties were sown, including Jasmine Rice 105 and RD79.

Following seed sowing, a fortune-telling ritual was conducted using seven food items. Observations revealed the oxen consumed water, grass, and liquor, interpreted as an omen of ample water supply, agricultural abundance, and improvements in transport and trade, suggesting a prosperous economic outlook.

The event also honoured outstanding national farmers and agricultural organisations with awards. Concluding the ceremony, the Lord of the Plough led a procession to the Chitralada Palace demonstration rice field for further seed sowing.

In a gesture symbolising prosperity, King Maha Vajiralongkorn approved the distribution of 2,743 kilogrammes of royal rice seeds from the 2023 Chitralada experimental project. These seeds, packaged for nationwide distribution, are offered as tokens of good fortune and success in agriculture, embodying the spirit of this revered tradition.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-09