The official serving as Phra Ya Raek Na in the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, together with the Golden and Silver Shoulder-Bearing Goddesses, performed the ritual hand washing of Phra Ya Raek Na and blessed the face of the Sacred Ox. "Sacred Ox" for auspiciousness.
At 18:30 on 12 May 2026, Mr. Winarot Sapsongsuk, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and official serving as Phra Ya Raek Na in the Royal Ploughing Ceremony of 2026, along with the Golden and Silver Shoulder-Bearing Goddesses, conducted the ritual hand washing of Phra Ya Raek Na and blessed the face of the Sacred Ox at the Standing Sacred Ox Pavilion in the Sanam Luang ceremonial area. This ceremony was held to bring auspiciousness and to familiarize the officials with the Sacred Oxen before the Royal Ploughing Ceremony the following morning.
This year's Sacred Oxen are Pho and Phieng, with reserve oxen Phoem and Phun, all of the Lamphun white cattle breed. They meet the criteria: well-formed bodies, at least 150 cm tall, body length not less than 120 cm, chest circumference at least 180 cm, skin with a pinkish white tone, clean white hair, candle-shaped bodies without black spots, white curved horns with elegant shape, bright light brown eyes, pink eyelashes, white nose and hooves, long white tail hairs, strong and firm hind legs and hooves, and a dignified posture when standing and walking.
In Brahmanism, the Sacred Ox symbolizes the deity serving as the mount of Lord Shiva, representing labor and strength. Additionally, it is an animal cared for by deities Phonlap and Krishna, symbolizing agriculture and abundance.