According to news at www.bangkokpost.com, plentiful food, prosperous trade and a fair amount of water were predicted for the coming crop year by soothsayers at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Bangkok's Sanam Luang on Friday.

The ancient ceremony, which has been performed since the Sukhothai period some 700 years ago, was held yesterday's morning to mark the beginning of the traditional rice planting season and boost the morale of farmers.

On behalf of His Majesty the King, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over the ceremony, accompanied by His Royal Consort, HRH Princess Srirasmi, and HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha.

Two sacred white oxen, named Phra Ko Fah and Phra Ko Sai, were taken to plough the ceremonial ground at Sanam Luang, herded by agriculture and co-operatives permanent secretary Chalermporn Pirunsarn.

Dressed as a Brahmin god, Mr Chalermporn served in the ceremony as Lord of the Plough, or Phraya Raek Na.

Mr Chalermpol's choice of a piece of cloth led to a prediction that there would be a fair amount of water, resulting in bountiful rice yields.

The oxen were each then offered seven bowls of food and their choices were used to make predictions. The seven bowls held grass, rice, maize, sesame seeds, soy bean, water and liquor.

First, the two oxen ate grass, an omen that the country would enjoy an average water supply, plentiful rice harvests and an abundance of fruit and staple food this year.

Second, the two oxen drank liquor, indicating that communications would be convenient, foreign trade would flourish and the economy would prosper.

After the ceremony, rewards were presented to outstanding farmers, agricultural organisations, co-operatives and agricultural scholars. Finally, crowds of people rushed to collect rice seeds that were scattered on the field by the Lord of the Plough during the ceremony. The rice seeds are believed to bring fortune, happiness and abundance.