Hellfire Pass

The Konyu Cutting (Hellfire Pass) was once part of the Death Railway during World War II. It is a 73 m long and 25 m high rock cutting done by hand from Australian and British POWs. They started in April 1943 and finished the cutting 3 month later. Another cutting was 450 m long and 8 m depth. The POWs were forced to work up to 18 hours a day. At night the cuttings were lit by carbide lamps, bamboo bonfires and torches filled with diesoline. The eerie light and the shadows of the gaunt POWs playing on the cutting walls suggested the name the site would later be given - Hellfire Pass.
A few machines were available to help but the bulk of the work at Hellfire was carried out by 3.5 kg hammer and tap men, using steel drills and hammers. In July 1943 the cutting was completed. At least 63 men were beaten to death during the construction of the pass and many more died from starvation, dysentery and cholera. More than 70 % of the POWs died while the construction of the Death Railway. Admission fee: free
How to go there: own vehicle, bus, travel agency

Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum
The Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum is located some 80 km north-west to Kanchanaburi on Highway 323. It is maintained by the Australian Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the museum is to honor the Allied POWs and Asian conscripts who died while the construction of the Death Railway. It shows impressive how and why POWs worked at the nearby Hellfire Pass during WW II. A 4-5 hours walking trail leads you along the way of the Death Railway. Admission fee: free
How to go there: own vehicle, bus, travel agency

Sai Yok Noi Waterfall

This waterfall is located about 2 km from Nam Tok Train Station and about 60 km from Kanchanaburi on highway 323 to Sangkhlaburi. Its landscape is one of the most beautiful places in Thailand where once the Death Railway was passing Sai Yok Noi. The locals use that waterfall for having a picknick and a rest.

Best time to visit: during rainy season (July - October)

Admission fee: free
How to go there: own vehicle, bus, travel agency

Sai Yok Yai Waterfall

Sai Yok Yai Waterfall is part of Sai Yok National Park. The falls are about 100 km from Kanchanaburi on highway 323. It is famous for its idyllic beauty which was once visited by King Rama V. The falls are widely celebrated in Thai poetry and songs. The falls flows from cliffs into Kwai Noi River. The park entrance is about 38 km north of Sai Yok Noi Falls, but the falls are hidden 3 km off the main road. You can go there by motorbike or bus. Bus travellers should get off at the national park sign, then flag down a passing car or face a long and dusty walk. Motorcycle taxis may be available. Admission fee: 400 Baht >> Sai Yok National Park
How to go there: own vehicle, bus, travel agency

Wat Sala Thong, Nakhon Ratchasima

Wat Sala Thong is in Tambon Hua Thale, about 1 kilometre southeast of the city. This is temple of the Dhamayuti sect. The area around the temple was originally a dense forest where a large sitting stone Buddha image in the Pa Lelai posture was located out in the open. A convocation hall was later built to cover it. The temple has a large pagoda that was built over a smaller one that encased the holy relics of Lord Buddha that were taken from Myanmar’s Chiang Tung.

Bangkok A Cultural and Literary History

Bangkok stands out as a place of extraordinary allure. Beginning as a floating city in a lush tropical setting, it was known to foreigners as the "Venice of the East". Centuries later, its majestic Grand Palace and glittering Buddhist temples would compete for the horizon with western chimneystacks. Chinese immigration and investment and Indian commerce have also visibly marked the cityscape, where great ethnic diversity is represented in the world-famous Thai cuisine.

The capital of the Kingdom of Thailand, founded and shaped by Chakri monarchs, was altered by nationalistic monuments in new public spaces after the 1932 coup ended absolute rule. Development plans of the 1960s and arriviste money of the 1980s gave rise to a jungle of skyscrapers on its alluvial plain.Serious urban challenges now beset this Asian Tiger that hovers between First World and Third. Fascinating pockets of traditional indigenous life percolate under a surface of modernity, while fragments of intense beauty and sensation abound in the labyrinthine lanes and alleys that replaced canals. Bangkok bears the longest city name in the world: forty-three syllables.Locals have shortened it to Krung Thep which means City of Angels. Maryvelma O’Neil explores their city - rich in art, history, royal ceremony and tradition.

More Information: www.signalbooks.co.uk

Petrified Wood Museum

Located on Mittraphap – Nong Pling Road, Ban Krok Duean Ha, Mu 7, Tambon Suranari, Amphoe Mueang, it is the first museum of its kind in Thailand and Southeast Asia which has the most diverse and perfect showcase of fossils presenting with multimedia technology. The 32-acre museum comprises the followings:

- Petrified Wood Museum which exhibits gigantic ancient plants which have been aged for 800,000 years – 720 million years old as well as exhibition on ancient beliefs and folk wisdom about the petrified wood. Visitors are allowed to touch some real petrified wood.

- Ancient Elephant Museum which takes visitors through the tunnel that brings ones back to the ancient time during tthe Neolithic around 3,000 years up to 10 million years, the age of the 4- ivory elephants. Visitors can learn the ancient world from VDO presentation on a translucent screen. The skeleton and model of the 4-ivory elephant indigenous to Nakhon Ratchasima and other fossils are on exhibit there.

- Dinosaur Museum which showcases the moving multimedia presentation of fighting dinosaurs on the 360-degree wall screen as well as dinosaur fossils which were excavated in Nakhon Ratchasima such as Iguanodon, Siammotyrannus, etc.

There are also exhibitions on other geological phenomenon of the Northeastern region, the development of natural resources, the evolution of volcano, the impact of the comet that hit the planet which led to the extinction of dinosaurs and ancient elephants.

To get there, take highway 304 (Nakhon Ratchasima – Pak Thong Chai) for 19 kilometres. Turn right at KM 121 and drive another two kilometers, then turn left into Mittraphap – Nong Pling Road for one kilometre.
Remark – The museum is not yet officially open but if interested, the Research Center have staff on duty and free copy of documents every day from 8.30 – 16.30. For more information, call 0 4425 4000 ext 1202.

Surat Thani Province

Surat Thani (often in short Surat, Thai: สุราษฎร์ธานี) is the largest of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Surat Thani me

ans City of Good People, the title given to the city by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI).

Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thamma

rat, Krabi, Phang Nga and Ranong.

Geographically the center of the province is the coastal plain of the Tapi river, mostly grassland interchanged with rubber tree and coconut plantings. In the west are limestone mountains of the Phuket range mostly covered with forests. The Khao Sok National Park is located in these mountains. To the east the hills of the Nakhon Si Thammarat (or Bantat) mountai n range start to rise, protected in the Tai Rom Yen National Park. Many islands in the Gulf of Thailand belong to the district, including the tourist islands Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao, as well as the Ko Ang Thong marine national park. The main rivers of the Surat Thani province are Tapi River and Phum Duang River, which join at the town Tha Kham shortly before they drain into the Bandon Bay. The delta of these rivers, locallyknown as Nai Bang (ในบาง), is located directly north of the city Surat Thani. It consists of several channels with small islands mos tly covered by mangrove or orchards.Further protected areas in the province are the Khlong Phanom and Kaeng Krung national park, Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan marine national park, the non-hunting areas Khao Tha Phet andNong Thung Thong and the wildlife sanctuaries Khlong Phraya, Khlong Saeng and Khlong Yan. The HatKhanom - Mu Ko Thale Tai, which will contain a few small island south of Ko Samui, is currently in process of creation.

Nation park

• Ko Ang Thong marine national park***
• Khao Sok national park***
• Khlong Phanom national park
• Kaeng Krung national park
• Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan marine national park
• Tai Rom Yen National Park

Transportation

• The province is crossed by the southern railway, with the main railway station located at Phunphin about 25 km from downtown. A branch line to the west ends in Khiri Rat Nikhom, originally planned to run till the coast next to the island Phuket, but construction ended in 1956.

• Parallel to the railway in north-south direction runs the Asian Highway 2 (Thailand Route 41). The major road in east-west direction is Route 401 connecting Takua Pa with Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Route 44 in southwestern direction from Kanchanadit to Krabi. Route 44 was built as part of the landbridge project connecting the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea. Unlike other highways there are no crossing inter sections, the wide space between the two lanes is reserved for pipeline and railway.

• Two regional airports are located in the province - Surat Thani International Airport in Phunphin and Samui Airport on Ko Samui. The Surat Thani International Airport is served by three airlines: Thai Airways International Thai AirAsia One-Two-Go Airlines from Don Mueang International Airport The Samui Airport is served by Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways International from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Penang
  

The islands Ko Samui und Ko Phan Ngan are connected with the mainland by ferries, which mostly start at Don Sak, while the ferries to Ko Tao start at Surat Thani or Ko Samui.

Festivals

Festivals .When Buddha return to earth from heaven and was greeted by crowd.Chak Phra annually take place immediately after the end of 3 month rain

retreat about October.It is celebrate in many south but in Surat Thani is the biggest.It is Chak Phra Festivals on land and on the Tapi River.Before Chak Phra Day ,on the night there are build the screen of Buddha's story around the city and celebrate its all day all night.On land,the splendidly adorned floats are pulled across the town by the participants.At the same time,on watera float decorated in colorful Thai design of a float made to carry the Buddha image.Chak Phra Festivals then concludes with and exciting boat race and treaditional game.

• Rambutan and Thai Fruits Festivals The rambutan trees were first planted in Su rat Thani in 1926 by the Chinese Malay Mr. K. Vong in Ban Na San. An annual rambutan fair is held in beginning of August. Surat thani's Rambutan is the best in thailand.Festiva l (Southern Treditional) It is held on the full moon of the 10th month in traditional calender (about August). Many people will go to the temple and remember for the ancestor.Friend and relations will come back home and go to temple altogether.Treditional people can made sweetmeat for this festival.

• Surat thani Songkran festival, Thai New Year (water festival) @Surat Thani is celebrated every year on 13 April at Bandon bay street and aroun d the town and Ko Samui is celebrated on 13-15 April at chaweng beach lamai beach and around the island street.

• Surat Thani Loy Krathong Festival on the Tapi River.It is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November. During the night of the full moon, many people will release a raft like this on a river.

Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2008

Note: Event dates and programme details may be subject to change. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.
The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale, Thailand's annual 3 months shopping extravaganza from 1 June until 31 August 2008, offers world-class shopping, a diverse selection of quality products and services, special discounts of up to 70 percent and promotional offers being extended by participating department stores and retail outlets along designated 'Shopping Streets' in Bangkok and the popular tourist destinations of Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Hat Yai.The Shopping Streets provide a convenient opportunity to spot great buys in an exotic range of unique crafts and cottage industry products, including exquisitely hand-crafted decorative items for home and living and fashion accessories, available in the traditional as well as contemporary design.

Besides discount offers, our proud partners, Visa International offer special gift for visitors who shop using their Visa cards for 3,500 baht or more *get free natural soap at shops at Suvarnabhumi Airport and King Power downtown Duty Free Mall.

So, What else would be better than visiting Thailand during this time? Apart from great value shopping; Why not spare yourself some time to enjoy more of Thaialnd's beautiful nature, and explore her culture as well as people's way of life? With a vast array of Royal Orchid Holidays' flexible programme menu to major touris destinations in Thailand, your vacation planning in this special period will never be easier.

* Terms & Conditions may apply.

Thailand International Dog Show 2008

(26 - 29 June, 2008: Hall 5-6, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center )

Note: Event dates and programme details may be subject to change. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel. Thailand International Dog Show 2008 will be bigger and better with more exhibitors, more activities and more fun for you, your family and your beloved dogs. This show is a special gathering place where you can find all the goods and services for your dogs in one place. You will also enjoy a host of exciting and entertaining activities, competitions, shows, clinics, seminars and workshops during the show. If you are a dog owner or dog lover, Thailand International Dog Show 2008 is a show that you cannot afford to miss out on. Entrance Fee: 15 Baht for Adult, Kids and Dogs/Pets enter for FREE **Fees will be donated to abandoned dog charities/associations**

3rd Laguna Phuket International Marathon

(15 June 2008:Laguna Phuket Resort)
The 3rd Laguna Phuket International Marathon will take place on 15 June 2008. After the huge success of the 2007 event with well over 3,000 participants, organizers expect more than 4,500 participants including 2,000 international runners from more than 45 countries.
Races:Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 Km Fun Run, 5 Km Walk, 2 Km Kids Run

Location:Phuket, Thailand

Start & Finish:Laguna Phuket Resort

Time Limits:Marathon 7 Hours
Half Marathon 4 Hours
10 Km Fun Run 2 1/2 Hours
5 Km Walk 2 hours

Course:The marathon course is an out and back course with a loop for the last 7 km. The course is flat for the first 11 km with some rolling hills between Km 11 and Km 15 and again between Km 23 and Km 28 and Km 35 and Km 37. The half marathon follows the marathon course and turns at Km 9 of the marathon course. It then follows the marathon course back to the finish line. The course is flat except for some rolling hills between KM 14 and 16. The 10.5 Km Run and 5 Km Walk are flat loop courses looping around Laguna Phuket. See the course map here.

Awards:There will be trophies for the top three of every age group and for overall winners.

Medals: Every finisher will receive a commemorative medal.

Registrations:For race only registrations.

Online registration will open on 1 October 2007 and close on 2 June 2008. Early bird entry fees will apply until 31 March 2008. Accommodation packages will also be available for booking. For more information, visit Phuket Marathon 2008

Khao Kalok

Some 40km south of Hua Hin is the peaceful bay of Khao Kalok. To reach this beach, you need to follow the main highway south to Pranburi, turn left to Pak Nam Pran and take the second major turn on the right. Follow this road for around 10km and take another right at the T-junction and follow the signs. A taxi should know the way and it'll take you approximately 40 mins to get there. The return price for a taxi should be in the region of 500-600 baht.

Once you arrive, you'll find numerous restaurants set on the beach road overlooking the beach itself. Pick the one that takes your fancy and relax for a few hours getting cooled by sea breezes over some delicious food and drinks. You will find prices here considerably less expensive than Hua Hin and the locals are friendly and always happy to see new faces.

Again, Khao Kalok can get busy at weekends, so bear this in mind. During the week, you can almost have the place to yourselves. Khao Kalok means "skull mountain" in English and the bay is long and wide. There is an interestingly formed cave on the south side with a hole through its middle. Swimming is reasonble at high tide and quad bikes are available for hire to explore the beach further. Alternatively, of course, you can just relax in the restaurant or on the beach. Khao Kalok makes for a good away-day from Hua Hin.

Bangsaen Beach

Bangsaen Beach is a famous beach that has enjoyed lasting popularity. Approximately 13 kilometers from the city of Chon Buri, it branches off to the right-hand side from Sukhumvit Highway, at kilometers 104, for a distance of 3 kilometers. Stretching along the beachfront, is a 2.5 kilometer Road.
Along the beach, one finds vendors offering drinks and seafood snacks such as squid, mussels and spicy steamed-fish-cakes for sale. One can rent deck chairs and rubber rings for swimming. Fresh water bathing facilities are also available. The many restaurants that line the beach have recently been improved to become more neat and orderly.

Bang Saen is ideal for visitors with limited time who wish to relax with their family and friends. It also offers several hotels and bungalows for overnight lodging.

Khao Takiab

This fast developing town is situated only some 7 kms from Hua Hin and is quickly becoming a fully self-contained holiday destination with amenities ranging from accommodation, beaches, activities, restaurants and bars.It would not have been that many years ago that the town was little visited, but now it can support package tours and independent travellers for any length of time. Things have changed and the town is certainly worth a visit for a day, or even longer.Meaning literally "chopstick hill" Khao Takiab is dominated by a 272 m high headland that juts out into the sea. It is clearly visible at the southern end of Hua Hin beach. If you approach the hill this way, you are rewarded with the sight of a 20m tall Lord Buddha statue and there are other religious figures, both Thai and Chinese, at the summit, together with a statue of King Rama V. The hill is also know as "Monkey Mountain" due to large numbers of monkeys (macaques) that are resident there. Whilst not really fierce, care should be taken when they are around as they have a habit of grabbing and making off with anything that takes their fancy, especially handbags and cameras. It is probably better not to feed them as the larger males can sometimes become aggressive if the bananas have run out.
There are two good beaches either side of "chopstick hill" and both are less busy than Hua Hin's, offering quiet places to relax and enjoy good food from the many nearby beach restaurants. Note: the area can get busy at weekends and public holidays with visiting Thais and important Buddhist holidays are generally marked by hundreds of devotees flocking to the temples to give offerings to the monks and thereby making merit.

Accommodation is springing up all over town and you can now find a full range, from 5 star resorts and spas to mid range hotels and guesthouses. (See Khao Takiab accommodation for further options).

railway station

Hua Hin train station
Hua Hin's popularity began to increase in the 1920's as the railway line from Bangkok was constructed and King Rama VI built Klai Kangwon Palace as a summer retreat.Hua Hin's station is one of the oldest in Thailand and its main feature is The Royal Waiting Room that used to welcome King and his court when they were visiting the town.Originally, it was situated at Sanamchan Palace in Nakom Pathom and was known as Plub Pla Sanamchan. Eventually, the room was tranported to Hua Hin.It is designed in the same style as Maruekkhathayawan Palace and is an attraction not to be missed if you are staying in Hua Hin.

The train station is located at the top (west end) of Damnoern Kasem Road.

Khao Tao

Khao Tao is a charming village best known for a wonderful secluded beach, which is seperately named Hat Sai Noi. Do not confuse it with the diving island of Koh Tao which is some way south of Hua Hin and off Chumphon.
You will find this idyllic location some 20 km south of Hua Hin, not too far off the main highway to Pranburi. Simply follow the signs to Khao Tao and then Sai Noi beach. The road goes around a reservoir and is easy to find. Although small - probably no more than 1km long - the beach is generally quiet, except on weekends and public holidays. There are a number of beach restaurants that serve up delicious local food, seafood and drinks and they all have sun loungers and umbrellas. As opposed to Hua Hin and Khao Takiab beaches, Had Sai Noi drops-off quickly, making it ideal for swimming. You will have to keep a close watch on any children though.

Had Sai Noi development 2007
We are sad to hear the news that Had Sai Noi will soon be lost to a housing development called Turtle Hill. The housing estate is right up on the beach so this quiet bay will be subject to building noise for many months before the properties are complete. Then it will simply become another walled village with its associated environmental impacts, we suggest getting down to Had Sai Noi as soon as possible to enjoy it while it lasts.
During 2008, the above development was halted and so this pristine beach remains unspoilt, but for how long remains an open question.

Khao Tao temple

Whilst here, it is worth seeing the large temple complex in Khao Tao. Contained within it are several caves with a multitude of Buddha statues and shrines. There are also a couple of impressive look-out points, a fishing village and freshwater lake.
It's possible to get there by motorcycle, but it'll be far safer to book a taxi. A round trip should cost about 400 baht and it's perfectly acceptable to tell the driver to come back to collect you at a predetermined time (rather then have him wait) and pay upon your return to Hua Hin. Khao Tao and Sai Noi beach make for a great day away from Hua Hin, but try to go during the week.

Blooming Krachiao Flower Festival

(June 1 - July 31, 2008:The Siam Tulip Festival of Chaiyaphum, Pa Hin Ngam National Park)

Note: Event dates and programme details may be subject to change. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

The Siam Tulip Festival of Chaiyaphum
The unique geographical landscape of Chaiyaphum Province in the northeast of Thailand gives rise to a range of natural attractions of exceptional beauty. Of these, the fields of pinkish-purple Siam Tulip, or "Dok Krachiao", come in to full bloom in the early part of the rainy season from June to August.
Also commonly called 'patumma', 'bua sawan' (heaven lotus), or 'bua bok' (the land lotus), the Siam Tulip is a member of the ginger genera - Curcuma or Zingiberaceae.
The unusual form, bright colour and long-lasting quality of the Siam Tulip has made it an increasingly popular choice for floral decorations. It is in high demand and is currently being cultivated in the form of cuttings or ornamental plants for local consumption as well as for export overseas, predominantly to Japan and the Netherlands.

The Pa Hin Ngam Rock Garden
The extraordinary 'rock-garden' of Pa Hin Ngam (forests of beautiful rock), located within a forested area in the Amphoe Thep Sathit sub-district is another place of interest.
Pa Hin Ngam consists of 10 sq. kilometres of impressive natural sandstone sculpture. Weathered by sun, wind and rain over thousands of years, the sandstone is worn into curious shapes, the names of which refect its form such as Nail Rock, Castle Rock, Elephant Rock and even Laser Rock.
In addition to this unusual rock formation, Chaiyaphum Province also has its share of spectacular waterfalls such as the Tat Ton and Pha Eang Waterfalls and the Tum Kaew Caves, and other breathtaking sights and vantage points.

Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival

(6 - 11 May 2008 :Yasothon Municipal Office and Yasothon Provincial Office)

Note: Event dates and programme details may be subject to change. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

The sprightly "Bun Bang Fai" Rocket Festival, the most celebrated of Isan's merit-making rituals, has been strictly observed by the residents of Isan for generations. It is essentially an annual ritual to ensure that the seasonal rains fall at the appropriate time in the planting cycle. In this process, Buddhist merit-making traditions are also observed and reinforced. The festival which is held over a period of three days strengthens community spirit. The first day known as "Wan Sook Dib" features lively processions as rocket teams transport the rockets in a procession and perform a ritual to pay homage to Chao Pu, the spirit of the city pillar. Each is escorted by a colourful dance troupe. The second day is the rocket procession day. Modern-day rockets are mounted on vehicles or traditional carts to be drawn in the parade. The "Bang Fai" rockets come in different sizes. For example, the Bang Fai Kilo is packed with one kilogram of nitrate, while the Bang Fai Meun - 12 kilograms, and the Bang Fai Saen - 120 kilograms of nitrate. The rocket-making technicians play a vital role in deciding the right amount of nitrate to be mixed with the charcoal. With the wrong formula, a rocket could blow up prematurely before it is launched high into the sky. The rocket cylinders are usually made from the bottom half of the bamboo.

It is also a day for the ordination of novices with festive celebrations follows merit-making rituals. Dance, music, song and revelry are integral elements of the processions as the parade of beautifully decorated rockets wind their way through the village on their way to the temple offering an opportunity for the residents and visitors to admire the impressive works of art.

The rockets are finally launched on the third day in which various rocket contests are held. With the launch of the rockets, predictions are made with regard to the fortunes of the coming harvest. The Rocket Festival in Yasothon Province is spectacular and provides a tremendous opportunity to experience Isan-style festive fun.

The Rocket Festival stems from the belief that when this merit-making ceremony is held, gods and spirits will reciprocate with seasonal rain and a bountiful harvest.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony

(May 11, 2008:Sanam Luang, Bangkok)

Note: Event dates and programme details may be subject to change. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient Brahminical rite dating back to the Sukhothai period (1257 - 1350 A.D.) The ceremony, which heralds the start of the new rice-growing season, was undertaken to assure a successful planting season and an abundance of the nation's crops. Festivities were held to boost the farmers' morale urging them to strive for an abundant harvest for consumption and to ensure sufficient reserves for times of war and for export overseas.The practice faded out towards the end of the reign of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) but was later revived by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1960 (B.E. 2503). Since then, it has been observed annually.

Today, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony consists of two ceremonies - a Cultivating Ceremony known as "Phraraj Pithi Peuj Mongkol" and the Ploughing Ceremony, "Phraraj Pithi Jarod Phranangkal Raek Na Kwan". Both royal ceremonies are state events with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives assuming the role of the Lord of the Harvest or Phraya Raek Na, while four single female officials of the Ministry holding positions of second rank and above in the civil service undertake the role of the Celestial Maidens or Nang Thepi, assistants to the Lord of the Harvest.

The Cultivating Ceremony is a Buddhist ritual performed one day before the Ploughing Ceremony. Paddy and the seeds of forty other crops and ceremonial items to be used in the Ploughing Ceremony are blessed. His Majesty the King (or a representative) presides over the religious rites which are performed in the Royal Chapel of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha within the compounds of the Grand Palace. With lustral water poured over his hands and his forehead anointed by His Majesty the King, the Lord of the Harvest receives the royal blessing. The four Celestial Maidens also receive similar blessing. The Lord of the Harvest then receives the ceremonial ring and sword to be used in the Ploughing Ceremony from His Majesty the King.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony which is held the next morning at Sanam Luang - The Royal Ground - begins with the Lord of the Harvest performing a rite to predict the amount of rainfall in the coming season. This is done by selecting one of three pieces of cloth of varying lengths. At the auspicious time following the arrival of His Majesty the King and members of the Royal Family, the Lord of the Harvest begins to plough the field and sows the rice seeds from the baskets carried by the Celestial Maidens. At the end of the ploughing ceremony, the ceremonial bulls are led to troughs, each containing one of seven different offerings of food or drink namely, paddy, green beans, maize, hay, sesame seed, water and liquor. Predictions regarding the success of the harvest and the abundance of particular crops in the coming season are determined by the items selected by the bulls. Then as the barricades are removed, hundreds rush into the field hoping to gather a few sacred rice grains scattered by the Lord of Harvest. These are either mixed with the farmer's own rice stock to ensure a good crop in the coming year, or simply kept as a token of good luck.