Sufficient water, abundant food supplies predicted

BANGKOK, May 9 (TNA) - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, on behalf of His majesty the King presided over the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony at the Sanam Luang ground in Bangkok today. The ceremony which has continued since the Sukhothai era is aimed at boosting the morale of farmers as farming is the livelihood of most Thai people. The ceremony is set at the beginning of the main crop season. In the Brahman ceremony, Theerapat Prayoonsit, permanent secretary for agriculture and cooperatives, performed as the Ploughing Lord. His selection of a five palm span-long cloth led to the prediction of sufficient water supplies and high yields of rice and foods. Among offered foods, ceremonial oxen ate rice, corn, sesame, water and liquor which led to the forecast of sufficient supplies of crops, food and water and economic recovery this year. Outstanding farmers also received their awards in the ceremony. (TNA)