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BANGKOK, Thailand – His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida presided over the Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Phra Ratchaphithi Jarod Phra Nangkhan Raek Na Khwan) at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground in Bangkok.
Upon arrival, His Majesty graciously appointed Mr. Prayoon Insakul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, to serve as the Phraya Raek Na (Lord of the Plough). He was joined by gold and silver maidens in a symbolic procession that commenced from the Brahman Pavilion.
Following ceremonial customs, the royal oxen were yoked to the plough, anointed, and led in three rounds of symbolic ploughing in both directions. Seeds were scattered, and royal astrologers rang victory gongs, followed by the oxen being unyoked. Traditional offerings were then presented to the oxen for an auspicious prediction.
The Phraya Raek Na drew a cloth measuring five khuep (a traditional unit of length), which foretells that rainfall this year will be moderate, leading to bountiful rice crops and abundant food supplies. The oxen chose to eat water, grass, and liquor, signaling predictions of sufficient water resources, agricultural abundance, and improved transportation and foreign trade, indicating economic prosperity.
The ceremony also included the royal presentation of honorary plaques to 2025 award recipients, including 3 national agricultural sages, 16 outstanding farmers, 12 leading agricultural groups, and 7 exemplary cooperatives.
Following the ceremony, Their Majesties traveled to the demonstration rice field at Chitralada Villa in Dusit Palace to observe the sowing of royal rice seeds, which will be cultivated for future ceremonial use in the years ahead.
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