In fact, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony is of Brahman origin. It was performed even before the birth of Lord Buddha. In Thailand, during the Sukhothai Period (1257 – 1350), the occasion was a great event with a long procession led by the king, while the Minister of Agriculture did the ploughing. In the Ayutthaya Period (1350 – 1767) the ceremony was a brief mater with the king delegating a representative to act on his behalf. During the Rattanakosin Period, the ceremony has been fully observed according to the original rite. In the reign of King Rama IV some Buddhist elements were introduced into the ceremony. A Buddha image was placed, in a prominent position and Buddhist monk were invited to the ceremony to give a sermon.