WMOD00461

• Title: Weather Modification Assessment - Kingdom of Thailand
• Date: 9/1/1986
• Country: Thailand
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

Equally important to the likely success of a scientific weather modifi-
cation program is the tropical weather of Thailand. It frequently pre-
sents numerous clouds of the type believed to be modifiable, a situation
which will provide a rapid collection of test samples. Thus, a scien-
tific evaluation of rainmaking capability can be quantified in a rela-
tively short period of years.

2. Concerns of His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej

The team had the honor of an audience with His Majesty King Bhumipol
Adulyadej on 21 September 1986 at the Palace at Taksin Rajanives near
Narathiwat. His Majesty the King expressed the following key concerns
over the development and future program of the RRRDI:

o He stressed the need for development and implementation of an
improved and more comprehensive scientific approach to the design,
operation, and evaluation of the program. The potential value of
computer modeling of clouds and cloud seeding was discussed as a
means to achieve this objective.

o He emphasized the role of weather modification (rainmaking) in
water resources enhancement, pollution dispersal, and supplemental
drinking water supplies as an element of an integrated approach to
natural and water resources management.

o He urged that the program objectives could only be achieved by
full cooperation and coordination between participating organiza-
tions.

3. Five-Year plan of the Royal Rainmaking Research and Development
Institute

It is reconrnended that a five-year plan be devel1ilped for the RRRDI which
will establish realistic priorities for applied operations, research
activities, facilities improvements, capital equipment procurement and
training. This five-year plan should include a detailed budget which
1 ncl udes all projected expendi tures requl red to :support the program,
including the costs of personnel, chemicals and aircraft. The plan
should include a strategy for the provision of weather modification ser-
vices and establish criteria for determining on both a political and
technical basis which geographic areas should rel~eive priority in
receiving services.

A major element of the plan for the RRRDI should be the identification
of a series of priority actions to improve coordination between the
Institute and cooperating organizationso It should also review steps
which can be taken to improve the cost efficiency of the operation,
especially with regard to the application rates lilf seeding materials,
the use of aircraft, and improved targeting.

This plan should serve as the basis for budget presentations made by the
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives during the planning period. It

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