The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will organize an exhibition in
honor of His Majesty the King, who is recognized as the “Father of Royal Rainmaking.”
It is also stepping up efforts to ease the drought situation in many provinces.
Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Yukol Limlamthong, said that the
exhibition is in observance of “Father of Royal Rainmaking Day,” on 14
November.
It will take place at the Royal Rainmaking Operation Center in Hua Hin,
Prachup Khiri Khan province, from 14 to 18 November 2012. The exhibition is
meant to provide the public with knowledge and information about His Majesty’s
initiatives in rainmaking technology to help people suffering from drought.
Most Thai farmers have to wait for seasonal rain to grow crops, and they
are at times faced with difficulties from drought. During his travels to all
parts of the country, His Majesty the King found that drought had become more
severe in certain areas of the country and rainfall was inconsistent.
Early in his reign, His Majesty became interested in artificial rainmaking
to assist farmers, who are very dependent on rainwater for their cultivation.
At this point, he began to study rainmaking techniques to seek ways of bringing
down more rain to ease the drought situation. He read research work on
meteorology and weather modification, which he found useful for combating
weather change.
In 1955, when His Majesty visited northeastern provinces, he looked at the
sky and saw a large number clouds moving over the vast, arid area of the
Northeast. The initial conception arose from his observation that there was no
rain despite heavy cloudiness. He wondered how to make the clouds heavier and
turn into rain. This idea was the starting point for his efforts to conduct
rainmaking operations, which proved successful in 1959.
On 14 November 1955, His Majesty donated his private funds to launch the
Royal Rainmaking Project. He also devoted a great deal of time and energy to
develop rainmaking technology. The project serves as a model for many Asian
countries, which have asked for assistance from Thailand in rainmaking. His
Majesty’s technique was registered with the World Meteorological Organization
in 1982, and since then, Thai and foreign experts have continued to exchange
views and experiences on rainmaking techniques and technology.
Later, the Cabinet in August 2002 endorsed the proposal by the Ministry of
Agriculture and Cooperatives for the title of the Father of Royal Rainmaking to
honor His Majesty the King. It also agreed to designate 14 November each year
Father of Royal Rainmaking Day.
Concerning efforts to cope with the drought situation now, Minister Yukol
said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives had instructed its
Bureau of the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation to set up rainmaking
units in drought-stricken areas, especially those in the Northeast.
A report from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said
that seven northeastern drought-hit provinces had been declared disaster zones.
They include Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai, Nong Bua
Lamphu, and Mukdahan.
Apart from saving crops from damage in many provinces, the Bureau of Royal
Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation said that rainmaking operations since
August 2012 have also eased forest fires in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The
Bureau has so far set up 11 rainmaking operation units in all parts of Thailand.
(thailand.prd.go.th)
