AKP Phnom Penh, May 15, 2025 --

The Royal Ploughing ceremony, which marks the beginning of the crop planting season in the country, was celebrated this morning in Kampong Chhnang province under the royal presidency of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia.

The monarch was accompanied by Senate President and President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen; National Assembly President Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary; Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet; and many other high-ranking officials.

Foreign diplomats accredited to Cambodia were also present at the ceremony, held the Royal Field in Kampong Chhnang Stadium, located in Klaing Prak village, Sangkat Pha-er, Kampong Chhnang city.

During the ceremony, Kampong Chhnang Provincial Governor H.E. Sun Sovannarith played the role of “King Meak” by guiding the royal oxen and plowing around the Royal Field, while his spouse, Lok Chumteav Phat Sophanny was “Queen Mehua” by walking behind scattering seeds on the furrowed ground in the provincial stadium.

After the ploughing, two royal oxen were driven to the seven trays containing paddy, beans, corn, sesame, water, wine and grass. The oxen ate 95 percent of rice, 95 percent of corn, and 80 percent of bean, said a Royal Brahmin.

This is a good sign for three main crops’ growing in the country this year, he underlined, calling on Cambodian farmers to be ready to do their farming.

Royal Ploughing is a traditional ceremony to mark the beginning of the crop planting season in Cambodia as well as to predict the country's agricultural outcomes.

By C. Nika