Royal Ploughing Ceremony Predicts Good Year

At the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony held in Bangkok this morning, a good year ahead has been predicted for the rice crop. The prediction has been made by the royal astrologer following the traditional ancient ceremony in which two oxen pull a wooden plough over ceremonial ground at Sanam Luang. Afterwards, the oxen were offered plates of food and based on what they ate this morning (grass and sesame seeds) the royal astrologer interpreted the signs to mean that the rains would be good and the rice crop would be abundant.

Superstition and ancient customs and beliefs are still important to many Thais. People from all walks of life including, farmers, office workers, politicians and royalty continue to use the services of astrologers and traditional soothsayers. Thai superstitions sit happily alongside more modern pragmatic ways of decision making, but it does serve to illustrate the complex and fascinating mix of traditions that makes Thailand unique.