PHOTOS

9 MAY 2012

Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2012

Abundant food production and an average supply of water during the coming rice growing season were predicted by soothsayers at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, presided over by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn at Sanam Luang in Bangkok this morning. Photos by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd.

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Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2012 — Royal Ploughing Ceremony Master Supachai Banpapthong sprinkles rice seeds on the field.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2012 — The ancient ceremony, which has been performed since the Sukhothai period over 700 years ago, was held to mark the beginning of the traditional rice planting season and boost the morale of farmers.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2012 — A Brahmin sprinkles holy water over the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2012 — Two sacred white oxen choose to eat grass from seven bowls that also contain paddy, maize, sesame seeds, soy beans, water and rice whisky, leading Brahmin seers to predict an abundance of food and average supply of water in the coming year.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2012 — A crowd scrambles through barriers in search of sacred rice seeds, following the ceremony.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2012 — Crowds rush to collect rice seeds scattered on the field by the Lord of the Plough during the ceremony.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2012 — The rice seeds are believed to bring fortune, happiness and abundance.