Bangkok rite predicts boom time for Thailand

16 May 2011

At the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony last week a pair of holy oxen predicted that the coming year would be a prosperous one for Thailand. Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn oversaw the historic rite last Friday morning where the two white bovines assisted soothsayers to make the forecasts.

The two beasts of burden, named Phra Ko Sai and Phra Ko Fah, were led to Bangkok’s central Sanam Luang by current Lord of the Plough Chalermporn Pirunsarn. The lord had randomly pre-selected a piece of material traditionally used for the ceremony.

Upon arrival at the ploughing ground, the cloth and the oxen’s choice of sustenance from seven offered dishes helped Brahmin priests to predict crop and water conditions during the coming year. Based on the choice, the oracles forecast average irrigation water supplies, plentiful rice crops and food and a significant increase in foreign trade.

The dishes provided for the enjoyment of the oxen contained rice paddy, grass, soy beans, maize, sesame seeds, liquor and water. The oxen chose liquor and grass, which enabled the forecasts to be made.

The tradition of the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony began 700 years ago in Thailand’s Sukhothai era. It marked the onset of the season for rice planting and has been a morale booster for rice farmers.

Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was joined at the ceremony by Princess Srirasm and Princess Bajrakitiyabha as well as lots of spectators. The watchers hurried to pick up the holy rice seeds sown by the Lord of the Plough, as tradition dictates these will bring good luck.

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