Asia

Thai king presides over annual royal rice plowing ceremony

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Oxen are presented with a tray of various choices of food by Thai officials in ancient attire during at the royal ploughing ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, May 12, 2017. The annual event marks the beginning of the growing season in Thailand for rice. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun addresses the audience at the royal ploughing ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, May 12, 2017. The annual event marks the beginning of the growing season in Thailand for rice. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun addresses the audience at the royal ploughing ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, May 12, 2017. The annual event marks the beginning of the growing season in Thailand for rice. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

Thailand's king has presided over an annual royal ceremony that marks the start of the rice-planting season.

The ceremony was held Friday in Bangkok on a royal field in front of the Grand Palace.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (ma-ha 'WAH-chi-ra-long-gon 'BOH-din-ta-ra-teb-pa-ya-wah-rang-goon) sat with daughter at his side as two oxen plowed a furrow and an official scattered rice seeds in the oxen's wake.

According to Thai historical accounts, the Royal Plowing Ceremony dates back around 700 years.

Thailand is one of the world's leading producers of the crop, putting out around 30 million tons per year. It is the second largest exporter of rice, behind India.