Inside Thailand's Royal Ploughing Ceremony

STORY: This is Thailand's 'Royal Ploughing Ceremony'

attended by Thai farmers, King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida

The ceremony marks the start of rice cultivation season

Participants are quick to collect grains of rice, which is believed to be a divine gift

It's thought this special rice will help bring about lush rice fields and abundant crops

(Sainak Meeto, Farmer) “They said that this rice is something good, something bestowed from heaven, like a sacred gift. Our fields will look beautiful, the crops abundant. Our food will be nourishing and rich.”