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Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE PLOUGHING CEREMONY, WHICH OPENS THE RICE PLANTING SEASON IN THAILAND, WAS PERFORMED AT PRANANE GROUNDS ON MAY 8 IN THE PRESENCE OF THEIR MAJESTIES THE KING AND QUEEN OF THAILAND.

THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES PICKED UP A LONG PANUNG (SARONG) FROM A CHOICE OF THREE AND PREDICTED THAT THIS YEAR'S RAINFALLS WOULD BE LESS THAN USUAL.

IRONICALLY, THE CEREMONY THIS YEAR WAS CELEBRATED IN STEADY RAIN.

WEARING THE PANUNG HE HAD CHOSEN, THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES CARRIED OUT THE PLOUGHING WITH THE HELP OF TWO SACRED CEREMONIAL OXEN AND SOWED THE TURNED UP GROUND WITH SEEDS FROM SILVER AND GOLDEN BASKETS CARRIED BY FOUR LADIES IN TRADITIONAL DRESSES.

AFTER THE CEREMONY, THE CROWD RUSHED TO THE SCENE TO PIC UP THE SEEDS.