Dates of Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Year Weekday Date
2020 Thursday May 21st
2019 Thursday May 9th
2018 Monday May 14th
2017 Friday May 12th
2016 Monday May 9th
Duration 1 Day
Local Name Wan Phuet Mongkhon
Summary
This holiday marks the start of the rice growing season and its date is based on astrological events
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is a government holiday in Thailand.
The date for the holiday is determined by astrological observations and announced by the Bureau of the Royal Household.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day is officially known as ‘Wan Phra Ratcha Phithi Phuet Monkhon Lae Charot Phra Nangkhan Raek Na Khwan’, though the festival is also known simply as ‘Farmer’s Day’ (Wan Phuet Mongkhon).
History of Royal Ploughing Ceremony
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient tradition observed in Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice growing season.
The tradition has Hindu and Buddhist origins and is intended to honour farmers and bless the plants and ceremonial start to the new growing season.
There are 16 million rice workers in Thailand and Thailand is the second largest exporter of rice in the world, underlining the importance of a good rice growing season to the country’s economy.
How is Royal Ploughing Ceremony observed?
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is held at Bangkok’s Sanam Luang, an open field and public square in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace.
Government offices will be closed. Banks will be open and the sale of alcohol is permitted. Post offices will close on a half-day.
