Food abundant but water supply only average, soothsayers predict
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The traditional soothsayers predicted an abundance of food production and an average supply of water during the coming rice growing season in Wednesday's royal ploughing ceremony marking beginning of the planting season.
Thai News Agency reported that the ceremony, held at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground, was presided over by HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.
The sacred oxen were presented with seven kinds of food -- rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water, and rice whisky. This year, they chose to eat grass and the Brahmin seers accordingly said there would be an abundance of food and average water.
Meanwhile, the Lord of the Plough was offered three pieces of folded cloth of different lengths and he selected one of widest length. Based on his selection, less water is foreseen. There will be a plentiful yield in low-lying farming areas but some damage may be seen in highland rice paddies.
The royal ploughing ceremony is a Brahmanic rite, in which sacred oxen plough a furrow at the ceremonial ground of Sanam Luang.
Four consecrated ladies carry gold and silver baskets filled with rice seed, which they scatter into the newly ploughed furrow. Walking alongside the plough are Brahmans who chant and blowing conch shells.
After the ceremony, the public is allowed to collect the rice seeds as a symbol of good luck and abundance.
