Thousands waited patiently in the sweltering heat yesterday for a chance to get their hands on some blessed seeds and plants from the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang.
It is believed that the blessed seeds will ensure a good harvest for farmers and bring good luck to people in other professions.
"I really want the seeds so I can be prosperous," Bangkok resident LaOng Youngtachai said. Every year, LaOng is at Sanam Luang to watch the Royal Ploughing Ceremony and get a glimpse of the Royal Family.
Previously, Their Majesties the King and Queen presided over the ceremony every year. However, over the past few years HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has been present on His Majesty's behalf.
Yesterday, the Crown Prince was at the ceremony with HRH Princess Srirasmi and his daughters HRH Princess Bajra Kitiyabha and HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana.
Agriculture Ministry's permanentsecretary Yukol Limlaemtong served as the lord of ceremonies, and according to his choices it was predicted that there would be a lack of water and farms in the highlands would not have high yields. However, there would be an abundance of food in the lowlying areas.
As for the choices made by the sacred oxen, the prediction was that there would be a fair amount of water and plenty of food.
Noi, a 75yearold farmer, said he would be basing his plans for the next crop on these predictions.
As soon as the ceremony ended, all the seeds and plants were snapped up in minutes.
In fact, even a foreigner got his hands on a shrub for some luck.
"Since I don't have a field, I think a plant might bring me good fortune and I'll put it in my condo. A colleague told me about this ceremony and I'm interested because it's important for farmers. I really enjoyed watching the ceremony too," said Alain, a Belgian who works as a biology teacher and researcher at Chulalongkorn University.
A woman from Surin, who was at the ceremony with the winner of a cowbreeding contest, said, "I want to pick up some grains of rice and take home the award too."