"Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives" , inspected the preparations for the "sacred cows" for the 2026 Royal Plowing Ceremony.
On 31 March 2026, Mr. Winarot Sapsongsuk, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, revealed after inspecting the preparation of sacred cows for the 2026 Royal Plowing Ceremony, accompanied by the Golden and Silver Carrier Goddesses who serve in the ceremony, as well as related officials, at the Ratchaburi Artificial Insemination and Biotechnology Research Center, Nong Pho Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province. He stated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives assigned the Department of Livestock Development, through this research center, to select the sacred cows.
The sacred cows for the 2026 ceremony are Phor and Piang as the main cows, with Phoem and Phun as reserves. Both pairs are Lamphun white cattle breed, meeting the criteria of a well-proportioned body, at least 150 centimeters tall, body length not less than 120 centimeters, chest circumference no less than 180 centimeters, pinkish-white skin, clean white hair, a tapering body without spots, white horns with a beautiful curve, bright light brown eyes, pink eyelashes, white nose and hooves, long white tail hair, strong and healthy hind legs and hooves, and a dignified stance and gait.
In Brahmanism, the sacred cow represents the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva, symbolizing labor and strength. It is also the animal cared for by deities Phra Phon Thep and Phra Krissana, symbolizing agriculture and abundance. Therefore, the royal plowing ceremony has traditionally used male sacred cows since the reign of King Rama I to represent strength and fertility.
On this occasion, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, along with the Golden and Silver Carrier Goddesses, practiced plowing with the sacred cows at the multipurpose yard of the Ratchaburi Artificial Insemination and Biotechnology Research Center. This inspection is part of the preparations for the 2026 Royal Plowing Ceremony, which will be held on 13 May 2026 at the ceremonial grounds of Sanam Luang.