Royal Ploughing Ceremony full dress rehearsal

BANGKOK, May 9 (TNA) -- A full dress rehearsal is held in Bangkok on Tuesday for the upcoming Royal Ploughing Ceremony next week. The ancient ritual to be presided by the His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn marks the start of rice cultivation season to boost the morale of farmers. Agriculture Ministry Permanent Secretary Lertviroj Kowattana will perform as the Lord of the Royal Ploughing or Phraya Raek Na. The rehearsal for this Brahminical rite at Sanam Luang was to let the pair of royal oxen familiarize with the ceremonial ground. Like in the actual ceremony, the pair ploughed a ceremonial circling for nine times before being given foods and drinks: rice, maize, bean, sesame seeds, liquor, water and grass. What they eat will be interpreted into prediction of rice harvest of that year. Hundreds of farmers are expected to attend the ritual and collect rice grains used in the ceremony which are considered sacred. The Royal Ploughing Day is also the National Agriculturalist Day. (TNA)