Sacred Thai Bulls See Bumper Harvest, Prosperity in Ancient Rite

Thailand’s sacred white oxen forecast ample rains, a bountiful harvest, resurgent foreign trade and a flourishing economy in a centuries-old rite presided over by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony on Wednesday saw two sacred bulls graze on various foods and rice spirits in a ritual led by Brahmin priests in the royal park in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The two oxen furrowed a wooden plow through the field nine times, while the Ploughing Lord sowed rice seeds behind them.