BANGKOK, Aug. 4 -- Villagers in northeastern Thailand dusted off tradition this week, reviving a rain making ritual with a playful twist as parched rice fields struggle through a prolonged dry spell.

According to Khaosod English, residents of Khon Chim in Waeng Yai district staged the "Hae Nang Maew" ceremony on Tuesday after more than two months without meaningful rainfall.

But, instead of parading a live cat, locals placed Chi and Doraemon dolls inside a cage and carried them through the village in a procession stretching over three kilometres. Water was splashed over the dolls as participants joined in with fishing nets, traps, bamboo baskets of fish and farm tools - all in hopes of coaxing rain.

Chaiwat Dokmaingam, chief executive ...