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<br />PART IV - RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STRENGTHENING THE PROGRAM OF THE ROYAL <br />RAINMAKING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE <br /> <br />-, <br />. <br /> <br />A. Program Scientific Concepts <br /> <br />1. Rationale <br /> <br />There are many factors collectively indicating that further scientific <br />and technical development of Thailandls sizable weather modification <br />operational program should be highly successful. Most important is the <br />widely held view that weather modification is not a means to ,justa <br />scientific end, but rather it is an important tool for use in water <br />resources management of Thailand. Users recognize weather modification <br />as a supplementary non-structural intervention t.o provide additional <br />water for irrigation, rainfed agriculture, power generation, and <br />domestic and industrial supplies. Further, in all discussions with Thai <br />leaders, it was observed that Thailand needs to develop a scientifically- <br />based rainmaking capability with a defined water' augmentation potential <br />which should be complemented by a quantitative assessment of the utility <br />and value of this additional water in economic and environmental terms. <br />This unity behind a focused goal that is scientifically and technically <br />achievable is impressive. <br /> <br />Thailand appears to have the institutional and human resource:s, the data <br />bases and the cloud conditions that can serve as cornerstones on which <br />to build an improved, scientifically-based weather modification program. <br />Thailandls present commitment to weather modification is substantial. <br />Rainmaking projects have been operated for 15 years and the annual <br />funding level is about $5 million. It is a Royal project and since 1975 <br />there has been an organized operating institution, the RRRDI. This <br />Institute has a staff of over 200 persons, sizable facilities and exten- <br />sive equipment. This institution provides a basis for further institu- <br />tional development through training, technical assistance, and upgrading <br />of equipment to enhance scientific and management capabilitie:s. <br /> <br />Relevant to the RRRDI functions is an Advisory Board composed of admin- <br />istrators, scientists, and engineers from key Government agencies and <br />universities concerned with weather and water resources. This Board <br />monitors and helps enhance the program of RRRDI, fosters interagency <br />cooperation, and is essential to assure an interdisciplinary approach to <br />the program of the Institute. <br /> <br />Existing Thai data bases in climate, water, and agriculture are sizable <br />and largely computerized, an advantage to design and feasibility studies <br />required in the planning of scientific weather modification projects. <br />The pool of well-trained agricultural and hydrological scientists is <br />large and several have expressed interest in future involvement in a <br />scientifically-based weather modification project. Thailand also has <br />agencies with funds to help support applied research such as the <br />National Research Council and its current cloud seeding rocket project. <br />Thus, in-country human and institutional resources exist to support a <br />more comprehensive scientific program. <br /> <br />s <br /> <br />-. <br /> <br />41 <br /> <br />lu <br />