The annual Ploughing Ceremony usually takes place in May every year at Sanam Luang near the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The ceremony had been performed since ancient times and designed to give an auspicious beginning to the new planting season. The suspicious day and time are to be set by the Royal Brahman astrologers. During this colorful ceremony, the amount of rainfall to be expected in the coming season is forecasted. The Ploughing Lord is offered a choice of three lengths of cloth, all looking identical. Then the Ploughing Lord ploughs furrows in Sanam Luang with a sacred plough of red and gold drawn by sacred white bulls and followed by four consecrated ladies who carry gold and silver baskets filled with rice seed. When the ploughing is finished, the bulls are presented with seven different foods and drinks, i.e. rice seed, beans, maize, hays, sesame seed, water and alcoholic liquor.