The government of Thailand has initiated a large-scale cloud seeding program involving 30 aircraft to tackle severe drought and escalating air pollution in its principal agricultural zones. 

BNN Breaking reports that this is part of Thailand's annual royal rainmaking initiative, which aims to leverage technology to induce artificial thereby addressing various environmental and agricultural challenges.

Thailand's Cloud Seeding Program

The cloud seeding program kicks off in March and April. It will include 24 aircraft from the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation and six jets from the Royal Thai Air Force. 

Operating across all 77 provinces through seven coordination centers, the initiative aims to alleviate the impacts of climate change on agriculture, prevent hailstorms and forest fires, and combat pollution issues such as smog and unhealthy levels of PM2.5 particulates. 

With temperatures forecasted to soar up to 44.5°C in some regions, the summer season's onset underscores these measures' urgency.

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According to AccuWeather, cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai have been grappling with worsening air quality during the dry season, worsened by factors like agricultural burning, forest fires in neighboring countries, and vehicle emissions. 

Now, Thailand's cloud seeding operation not only seeks to induce rainfall but also aims to significantly reduce air pollution levels, providing relief from the smog and PM2.5 particles affecting these cities. 

As the government takes proactive steps to address environmental concerns, the success of the cloud seeding program could set a precedent for future initiatives, offering insights into the effectiveness of technological interventions against climate change challenges.

More than environmental sectors, Thailand also aims to safeguard its agricultural sector.

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