The rice planting season started on May 1, instead of being traditionally held after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, which this year falls on May 12. The department wanted to replicate the success it had in starting the planting season early in Phitsanulok's Bang Rakam, a low-lying area where farmers began planting rice last month. The plan hopes to avoid any possible damage caused by potential flooding in the rainy season. Water has been released into the irrigation system to support 1.15 million rai in the lower Chao Phraya River basin, he said. After the harvest, the paddy fields can become water retention zones, called kaem ling or monkey cheeks, during the rainy season.

Source: Bangkok Post May 02, 2017 23:45 UTC