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The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient royal rite held in Cambodia and Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice growing season. The royal ploughing ceremony, called Lehtun Mingalaor Mingala Ledaw, was also practiced in pre-colonial Burma until 1885 when the monarchy was abolished.

 

In Thailand, the common name of the ceremony is Raek Na Khwan which literally means the "auspicious beginning of the rice growing season". The royal ceremony is called Phra Rat Cha Phithi Charot Phra Nangkhan Raek Na Khwan which literally means the "royal ploughing ceremony marking the auspicious beginning of the rice growing season".

 

This Raek Na Khwan ceremony is of Hindu origin. Thailand also observes another Buddhist ceremony called Phuetcha Mongkhon which literally means "prosperity for plantation". The royal ceremony is called Phra Ratcha Phithi Phuetcha Mongkhon. The official translation of Phuetcha Mongkhon is "Harvest Festival".

 

King Mongkut combined both the Buddhist and Hindu ceremonies into a single royal ceremony called Phra Ratcha Phithi Phuetcha Mongkhon Charot Phra Nangkhan Raek Na Khwan. The Buddhist part is conducted in the Grand Palace first and is followed by the Hindu part held at Sanam Luang, Bangkok.

 

At present, the day on which Phra Ratcha Phithi Phuetcha Mongkhon Charot Phra Nangkhan Raek Na Khwan is held is called Phuetcha Mongkhon Day. It has been a public holiday since 1957.

 

The traditional date of the Burmese royal ploughing ceremony was the beginning of the Buddhist lent in the Burmese month of Waso (June to July).