RICE FARMING
Rice has formed the basis of the Thai economy since the very earliest days and
is still the main occupation of the majority of the country's farmers.
 The most abundant fields are those of the Central Plains, stretching far
to the horizon on either side of the Chao Phraya River, but every region
depends upon this traditional grain for sustenance and it is easy for a
visitor to observe the various cycles of rice farming no matter where he
may be staying.
Though many parts of the country produce
two and sometimes three crops a year, the beginning of the season is usually
thought to commence in May with the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony, an
ancient Brahmin ritual held at Sanam Luang across from the Grand Palace
in Bangkok. A symbolic ploughing takes place at this colourful event, seeds
are scattered, and predictions are made regarding the forthcoming rainfall
and harvest.
Soon afterward the hard work of real
ploughing begins, with the aid of water buffaloes kept by nearly every
rural family. This is cooperative effort in most villages, with every able-bodied
member of the household participating. The labor is finished about the
time the first rains come, toward the end of May, and the fields are flooded
by means of a complex series of irrigation channels leading from nearby
rivers, streams, and canals.
At this time the rice seedlings are
planted by hand, another endeavor in which everyone participates. The rains
begin in earnest shortly afterwards, and for about three months the farmers
have relativelylittle to do except maintaining the level of water in the
fields of ripening rice and protecting it against birds and insect pests;
many younger men go into the monkhood during this period, thus taking one
of the traditional steps toward becoming a mature adult.
By late November or early December,
rice in the fields of the north and central plains is ready for harvest.
Once again villagers go outin large groups, working with sickles from early
morning until dusk with only a pause for lunch. The cut rice is spread
in the fields to dry for several days, then arranged in sheaves and taken
to the family compound for threshing and winnowing, a task usually completed
by January- though it will be later in the far south, which has two rainy
seasons. Thus the cycle of life on the farm has been
for centuries,thus it continues today; and any visitor who wishes to get
a true picture of the country should try to get at least a glimpse of this
timeless process.
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