Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2023 - Planting Thailand's Seeds of Hope

₹ 11,000 onwards View Packages

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, also known as the Farmer's Day or simply the Ploughing Festival officially marks the beginning of the rice-growing season. This annual ceremony is held in many Asian countries, such as Cambodia and Thailand. The official Thai name for the Royal Ploughing Ceremony is 'Raek Na Khwan', which translates to 'the auspicious beginning of the rice-growing season.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony Dates 2023

17th May

Significance of the Royal Ploughing Ceremony

Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Source

Although the royal ploughing festival has been celebrated for hundreds of years, it was recognised as a public holiday in Thailand in 1957. Government offices, immigration offices, and some parts of the Grand Palace complex remain closed on this day.

The royal ploughing ceremony is closely tied to the agricultural industry and is important for farmers even today, with a large percentage of Thailand's labour force in the agricultural industry. More than just a religious ritual, the ploughing festival allows farmers to predict the type of crops to expect and also pray for a good harvest in the years to come. It also raises their spirits and motivates them to work harder.

Background of the Royal Ploughing Ceremony

Royal Ploughing Ceremony in the Kingdom of Siam, Ploughing Festival

Royal Ploughing Ceremony in the Kingdom of Siam
Source

In Thailand, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony dates back to the Sukhothai Kingdom in the mid-1200s. The practise stems from an ancient Hindu Brahman ritual, which is meant to ensure a good harvest. This ceremony is considered to have been performed in India even before the time of Lord Buddha.

Another belief lies in the celebration of Buddha's first moment of enlightenment. The incident took place when he was seven years old and went to watch the ploughing ceremony with his father. Sitting under the shade of a rose-apple tree, he experienced sharpness of mind or 'samadhi' while deep in meditation.

The rituals performed during the ploughing festival in the past were of Hindu origin, while Thailand observed another fertility ritual of Buddhist origin. King Mongkut (Rama IV) merged both the ceremonies into what is known as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony today. In the 1920s, the ceremony was discontinued by King Rama VII. However, it was brought back by King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) in the 1960s.

How is it Celebrated in Thailand?

Also known as 'Kan Phuetchamongkhon' in Thailand, the festival is believed to strengthen the ties between the monarch, the government and the farmers. It is observed on an auspicious day in early May, with the exact date being determined by monks every year. With the audience decked in bright and colourful traditional clothes, the ploughing festival is seen as both, a religious and a civil ceremony. The royal ploughing ceremony, which is both Buddhist and Hindu in origin, consists of aspects of both religions and has two parts, namely:

Cultivating Ceremony: This is the Buddhist part of the farmer's festival and takes place at the Wat Phra Kaew or the 'Temple of the Emerald Buddha' in the Grand Palace Complex in Bangkok. As part of the more private cultivating ceremony, the appointed Lord of the Harvest blesses the ceremonial items to be used for the Ploughing Ceremony. The King or appointed monarch present also gives the ceremonial ring and sword to the Lord of the Harvest and pours 'lustral water' (water that has received a blessing from monks in a sacred ceremony) over his hands and forehead.

Wat Phra Kaew or 'Temple of the Emerald Buddha' as the site for the Cultivating Ceremony, Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Temple of the Emerald Buddha as the site for the Cultivating Ceremony
Source

Ploughing Ceremony: This takes place a day after the cultivating ceremony, and the site for celebration for the ploughing ceremony is, as per tradition, the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground, in front of the Grand Palace.

The ploughing ceremony usually takes place between 8:19 AM to 08:49 AM every year. It begins with the Lord of the Harvest choosing one out of three folded clothes, which is meant to predict rainfall for the coming season. The longest one predicts the least rainfall, while the shortest one predicts the most rain.

This is followed by the ploughing of the ceremonial ground by the appointed Lord of the Harvest. He is accompanied by the sacred oxen, the priests, umbrella bearers, musicians and four women or 'celestial maidens', carrying rice seeds in baskets. This symbolic ploughing continues around the ground for three circuits, to the sound of conches and drumbeats.

The Ceremonial Ploughing at Sanam Luang, Royal Ploughing Ceremony

The Ceremonial Ploughing at Sanam Luang
Source

The sacred oxen are then offered plates of rice, corn, beans, sesame, grass, rice-whiskey and water. Based on what they choose to eat from the plates, the court fortune-tellers and astrologers can make predictions about the crops in the coming season.

At the end of the royal ploughing ceremony, the Lord of the Harvest scatters rice seeds over the furrows. Those attending the ploughing festival may be able to collect some of the scattered rice grains for their harvests or as a token of good luck or fortune.

Attending the Ceremony

The Royal Ploughing ceremony is open to the public. Tourists who wish to attend may contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand at +66 (0) 2250 5500, or via email at [email protected]

If you wish to attend, head to Sanam Luang early in the morning on the day of the ceremony. Respectful attire is requested.


Although the vibrant ploughing festival is a feast for the eyes of many, it is much more than a colourful spectacle to the people of Thailand. With an overwhelming majority of the population being involved in agriculture, the religious ritual acts as a source of hope, motivation and survival for many.

This post was published by Saanya Lulla

Share this post on social media
Google +

Thailand Packages

Compare quotes from upto 3 travel agents for free

View All Packages For Thailand

Related Articles

Experiences

Experiences

Thailand In April - Weather, Best Places and Festivals

Fairs & Festivals

Fairs & Festivals

12 Festivals in Thailand That You Must Experience!

Fairs & Festivals

Fairs & Festivals

Music Festivals in Thailand - Exciting Bucket List Strike Offs

Experiences

Experiences

Music Festivals in Thailand for an Experience of a Lifetime

Fairs & Festivals

Fairs & Festivals

Bun Bang Fai Rocket Fest in Thailand 2019

Fairs & Festivals

Fairs & Festivals

Thailand in January - Weather, Events and Festivals

Fairs & Festivals

Fairs & Festivals

Wonderfruit 2019 - Dates, Tickets, Timings, Things to Do, Experiences

Shopping

Shopping

What to Buy in Thailand - 18 Souvenirs To Get On Your Next Trip

Adventure

Adventure

Surfing In Thailand - An Upcoming Surfing Paradise

Art & Culture

Art & Culture

10 Traditional Dresses of Thailand That Portray Thai Fashion Culture

Travel Tips

Travel Tips

Smoking in Thailand - The Essential Smoker's Guide

Top Places

Top Places

Cities in Thailand

Transport

Transport

Transportation in Thailand - A Quick Guide On Thailand's 9 Transport Modes

Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Mangoes in Thailand - Your Guide To The Famous Thai Ma-Muang!

Shopping

Shopping

Shopping in Thailand - Things to Buy, Street Shopping & Malls in Thailand!

Adventure

Adventure

7 Best Places for Kitesurfing in Thailand - The Complete Guide

Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Food of Thailand - 14 Thai Dishes to Get You Drooling

Family Holidays

Family Holidays

Places to Visit in Thailand with Family

Adventure

Adventure

Camping in Thailand - 11 Beautiful Camping Spots For Adventurers

Thailand – A Traveler’s “Not� To Do List

Art & Culture

Art & Culture

Ruins of Thailand: Stories of Ancient Glory

Art & Culture

Art & Culture

4 Dances in Thailand - Traditional Thai Dance Forms and Their Origin

Art & Culture

Art & Culture

15 Examples of the Architecture of Thailand - Landmarking Thai Brilliance

Experiences

Experiences

Elephant Rides in Thailand – The Regal Elephant Experience

Adventure

Adventure

Bungee Jumping in Thailand - Best Places To Try Out the 'Leap of Faith'

Travel Tips

Travel Tips

Currency of Thailand: A Guide to the Baht

Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Best Beer In Thailand That Are Perfect To Sip While Chilling By The Beach!

Experiences

Experiences

8 Cruises in Thailand

Shopping

Shopping

Night Markets in Thailand

Nightlife

Nightlife

Nightlife in Thailand - Must Visit Places after Sundown

7 Spots To Experience Scuba Diving In Thailand

Comments on this post

Browse Package Collections

View Packages