webfact Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Thailand's new king watches as sacred oxen predict good harvest REUTERS Thai officials dressed in traditional costumes feed oxen during the annual royal ploughing ceremony during the annual royal ploughing ceremony in central Bangkok, Thailand, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's new King Maha Vajiralongkorn attended an annual ploughing ceremony on Friday where sacred oxen predicted a bountiful harvest, auguring well for the world's second largest rice exporter's hopes of selling more this year. The royal ploughing ceremony is an ancient Brahminical rite which heralds the start of the new rice growing season. Broadcast on state television, the rite is celebrated in Thailand as a national holiday for state employees. Thailand is the world's second-largest rice exporter and the grain is a staple food in the Southeast Asian country. King Vajiralongkorn was accompanied by his eldest daughter as he presided over the ceremony, during which oxen draped in red and gold circled a ceremonial ground nine times. The number nine is considered a very lucky number in Thailand where it is pronounced "Gao" which rhymes with a word meaning to move forward or progress. Thanit Anekwit, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, read the prediction after the ceremony, which marks the start of the new rice-planting season. "This year there will be enough water, and grains, fruits, food, meat will be abundant," Thanit said. "There will be ample rice in the fields." In the deeply superstitious country, an auspicious start to the harvest season will be seen by some as a good omen for the new king's reign. Thailand aimed its paddy rice production this year at 25-26 million tonnes for 2017 to 2018, down from 30 million tonnes in the last crop year. The country also aims to export 10 million tonnes of rice in 2017, a little more than the 9.63 million tonnes it was able to export in 2016. It has exported 3.87 million tonnes so far this year. Thai benchmark 5-percent broken rice was quoted as high as $387-$392 a tonne, free-on-board (FOB) Bangkok, on Thursday, and was being undercut by rice from Vietnam, Thailand's main competitor. Similar grade rice from Vietnam was trading at $355-360 a tonne, FOB Saigon. ($1 = 34.6900 baht) (Reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) -- © Copyright Reuters 2017-05-12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 12, 2017 Author Share Posted May 12, 2017 Friendly reminder In using Thai Visa you agree to abide by the following terms: 1) You will not express disrespect of the King of Thailand or any one member of the Thai royal family, whether living or deceased, nor to criticize the monarchy as an institution. By law, the Thai Royal Family are above politics. Speculation, comments and discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing HM The King or the Royal family. To breach these rules may result in immediate ban. Linking to external sites which break these rules will be treated as if you yourself posted them. Forum Rules: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/terms/ //Admin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted May 12, 2017 Author Share Posted May 12, 2017 Bountiful crops, food production, and sufficient water for farming predicted Thailand will have sufficient water for farming, while food production and crops will be bountiful. This was predicted after the sacred oxen ate rice, maize and grass from among seven plates of food offered for them during the country’s significant event, the ancient Ploughing Ceremony, held at Sanam Luang royal field this morning. The traditional and colourful ceremony held from 8.19am to 8.49am was presided over by His Majesty King Maha Vajirarongkorn, and attended by members of the Royal Family. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, cabinet ministers, government officials, diplomatic corps, and farmers also attended. The important was watched by large crowd of people and over a million on live television broadcast nationwide and overseas. The ceremony was held to mark the beginning of the rice growing season and to herald the coming of the rainy season. It was the ancient ceremony to bring good fortune to all plants. Traditional soothsayers predicted good harvests, bountiful food production and sufficient water At the ceremony this year, the permanent secretary for agriculture and cooperative, Mr Thirapat Prayurasit, performed as Phraya Raek Na or the Lord of the Ploughing Ceremony. The Lord of the Ploughing Ceremony led two sacred oxen to plough a furrow in ground, while four consecrated ladies in the procession carrying baskets filled with rice grains, scattered them into the ploughed furrow while walking. Walking alongside were Brahmans from the Royal Court chanting and blowing conch shells. The two sacred oxen, Phra Kho Perm and Phra Kho Poon, were later offered seven plates containing grass, rice, maize, sesame, soyabean, water and liquor. Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bountiful-crops-food-priduction-sufficient-water-farming-predicted/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-05-12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamgeorgeallen Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 we are allowed to comment. better be careful on this one. thats all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumbleweed Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Forecasts from oxen is gonna use eminently more scientific data than anything put out by the government Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunBENQ Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Nice folklore. Did they predict the terrible drought of 2014/2015? Not to my memory. Rice: here in upcountry basically vanished from the fields. Only for own consumption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halloween Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 How do get a job as a traditional soothsayer forsooth? Do you need a PhD (Piled higher and Deeper) on top of your degree in BS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbthailand Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 sacred oxen, ... quaint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluespunk Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 (edited) 4 hours ago, webfact said: Bountiful crops, food production, and sufficient water for farming predicted Good news for all. Edited May 12, 2017 by Bluespunk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourAces Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Its the Thai version of Ground hog day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourAces Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 You will also need a BSC (Bronze Swimming Certificate) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourAces Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 10 hours ago, halloween said: How do get a job as a traditional soothsayer forsooth? Do you need a PhD (Piled higher and Deeper) on top of your degree in BS? You will also need a BSC (Bronze Swimming Certificate) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocceao Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Sacred Kwai Amazing Thailand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerminalVelosity Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 "Bountiful crops, food production, and sufficient water for farming predicted" Isn't that what Teresa May has predicted for the UK when she gets re elected and the UK it leaves the EU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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