Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Kampong Thom ploughing ceremony preparations underway

Kampong Thom ploughing ceremony preparations underway

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Royal oxen eat crops used to predict farmers’ fortunes during the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Siem Reap province in 2016. Heng Chivoan

Kampong Thom ploughing ceremony preparations underway

Although the Royal Ploughing Ceremony is still four months away, authorities in Kampong Thom province have begun preparing the ground and are establishing committees to handle the ceremony. Kampong Thom deputy governor Sok Hay said a paddy field is being prepared in the new stadium as the venue for the ceremony.

The royal ceremony is regularly observed on May 8. To ensure that the ceremony goes smoothly on the day, the authorities have set May 3 and 6 to conduct test runs at the stadium, in Kampong Svay district’s Trapaing Russey commune.

Sok Hay said plans have been drawn up to prepare the entrance to the venue and erect a large tent, along with exhibition booths for the agricultural products of relevant institutions. Security arrangements have also been made.

“The provincial authorities are preparing various committees to make sure the event is a success,” he added.

Cambodian historian Sambo Manara said that the ceremony is an ancient rite which is observed annually in Cambodia. Under the auspices of the king, it announces the arrival of the rice-planting season and predicts crop productivity for the coming season.

He added that the ceremony was held to remind people of the planting season, and showed the King’s respect for the farmers who feed the people. Traditionally, it was also used to encourage the public to assist with preparing irrigation systems and canals.

“In the modern era, there are officials who take care of the Kingdom’s complex irrigation systems. They must do everything they can to help our farmers,” he continued.

He said it made sense to host this year’s ceremony in Kampong Thom.

“The province has the fourth largest number of farmers after Battambang, Banteay Meachey and Siem Reap. The ceremony will honour the province, and its important role in feeding the Kingdom,” he added.

Cambodia failed to observe the Royal Ploughing Ceremony for the past three straight years, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former