Abundant food predicted at Thailand's ploughing ceremony 2012

BANGKOK, May 9 (TNA) - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over Thailand's royal ploughing ceremony 2012 on behalf of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground in the heart of Bangkok Wednesday morning, during which abundant food and average water supply was predicted for the Kingdom's rice growing season this year. At the royal ploughing ceremony, marking the beginning of Thailand's annual planting season, a pair of sacred oxen was offered seven kinds of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. The sacred oxen then chose to eat grass, which was predicted by Brahmin seers that there would be abundant food and average water supply in the country this year. At the traditional Brahmanic rite, the Lord of the Plough, who is the Thai deputy permanent secretary for agriculture and cooperatives, was also offered three pieces of folded cloth with different lengths and he chose one of the widest length, which was predicted that there would be less water supply, but plentiful yields in low-lying farming areas this year, and that there would, probably, be some damage in highland rice fields. After the royal ceremony, people were, like previous years, allowed to collect rice seeds as a symbol of good luck and abundance. (TNA)