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thailand : Exhibition in Honor of His Majesty the King as the “Father of Royal Rainmaking” |
 Exhibition in Honor of His Majesty the King as the “Father of Royal Rainmaking” The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is organizing an exhibition in honor of His Majesty the King, who is recognized as the “Father of Royal Rainmaking.” The exhibition takes place at the Ministry on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road in Bangkok from November 14 to 16.
The exhibition is in observance of “Father of Royal Rainmaking Day,” on November 14. It is divided into six zones, from Zone A to Zone F, featuring His Majesty’s initiatives in rainmaking technology and other related topics. On this occasion, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has also launched the website www.thairoyalrain.in.th to provide the public with information about royally initiated projects, especially those concerning rainmaking.
Since most Thai farmers have to wait for seasonal rain to grow crops, they are at times faced with difficulties from drought, so there might not be enough rainfall for crop growing. 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 the following year.
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 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 techniques and technology. His Majesty also worked out a pictorial book, Royal Rainmaking Textbook, with his computer, teaching the steps of rainmaking process. Both the royal rainmaking project and the Royal Rainmaking Textbook won the Gold Medal with Mention at Brussels Eureka 2001, held in Belgium in November 2001.
The Cabinet, during its meeting 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 November 14 each year Father of Royal Rainmaking Day.
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