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scientific and technical support to the Institute to the extent of planning and conducting studies concerning health and water quality impacts, deve- lopment and testing of new seeding mater'ials, conducting training programs in English, providing translation services, and conducting statistical eva- luations. Equally important, members of the Advisory Board assist in the internal political process assuring that senior officials are aware and supportive of the Institute, especially with regard to the annual budget process. In addition, the Advisory Board maintains a quality control func- tion with regard to the implementation of the Institute's program and has attempted to increase the emphasis placed on research and development acti- vities in order to improve the technical performance of the program. c. Program Planning and Budget The present program of the RRRDI is defined by the priority objectives discussed in section III-A which describes the mission of the Institute. The RRRDI does not have a short- or long.-term development plan for either operational activities or the research and development program. This results in the Institute using a respons'ive approach to addressing issues in an ad hoc fashion, as they occur withlJut the benefit of an established plan o~priorities and programs. Similarly the budget is prepared on an annual basis and supplemental funds are requested, as necessary, to address emergency drought situations which increase demands for the services of the Institute~ It is critical to note that the budget of the Institute (see tables 111-1 and 111-2) only covers personnel, capital and chemical costs, and does not include aircraft costs. This is extremely important for, as shown in the tables and noted in a review of the cost-benefit analysis prepared by Metha and Anek (1985), it is estimated that the basic budget of the program is personnel (10 percent, chemicals (30 percent) and aircraft (60 percent). D. Conceptual and Scientific Basis for the Prografl} The conceptual basis of the rainmaking operations has been developed from the review of international scientific literature on weather modification, contacts with international experts, field visits and the results of field trials. Over time this has evolved into an approac:h that is indigenous to Thailand. The RRRDI uses a seeding technique that has been dE!signed to modify the weather in three steps (see fig. 111-2). FIRST STEP KOH-KUAN (UPSET OR DISTURB): '. To upset the equilibrium or stability of the atmosphere by dispersing a mixture of exothermic chemicals near the convec- tive condensation level (CeL) and/or a mixture of endothermic chemicals a few thousand feet above the CCL. Ii ~ 21