A Thai traditional ceremony that is popular with tourists and attended by the King is the annual Ploughing Ceremony, which draws many of the country’s farmers to Bangkok to usher in the start of the new rice-growing season. The ceremony is held in the heart of the city and dates back more than 2,500 years. The chief event is a procession in which a red and gold sacred plow is drawn by flower-bedecked bulls, followed by drummers in green costumes, and others blowing conch shells or carrying baskets filled with rice-seed. After the plowing and ritual feeding of the bulls, rice seed is scattered and the watching crowds rush onto the field to gather some grains for good luck, and a good harvest.
Region/City Name:
Bangkok
Event Date:
May 13, 2011
Venue:
Phramane Ground, near the Grand Palace
Date Text:
13 May 2011
