The royal astrologers made the prediction based on the choices of the sacred oxen and the Ploughing Lord, Agriculture Ministry permanent secretary Banphot Hongthong.

The sacred oxen ate rice, maize and grass from the seven foods offered to them, while Banphot was presented with a choice of three identical-looking pieces cloth to wear, each of a different length.

HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, accompanied by his royal consort HRH Princess Sriras-mi, represented King Bhumibol Adulyadej in chairing the ancient ce-remony at Sanam Luang in Bangkok.

The ceremony is held to boost farmers' morale at the beginning of the planting season and has been a tradition for more than 700 years.

Farmers and people from across the country yesterday flocked to Sanam Luang for the ceremony, which began at 8.19am.

"I came from Suphan Buri. I want to get auspicious rice seeds for my mother. She believes the auspicious seeds will bless our paddy fields with good yields," said Wanpen Sudboonma, 22.

Rice seeds and flowers used during the ceremony are deemed auspicious.

Some people fell and were slightly hurt in the stampede to gather the seeds and flowers immediately after the ceremony ended at around 9.30am. The crowd was undeterred by the rain that began falling at 9.45am.

Vendors were later seen selling flower petals from the ceremony for Bt5 each and three rice seeds for Bt10. Some people also tried to take away flower pots lining Sanam Luang before police officers told them that they belonged to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

More than 1,500 police officers and soldiers were on duty at the ceremony. 

Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

The Nation