Thailand gives water solution to Queenslands Drought

BANGKOK, Aug 5 - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Thursday gave permission to Australia's state of Queensland to use his innovative techniques of artificial rainmaking to combat the region’s ongoing drought.

Prof Dr Soottiporn Chittmittrapap, secretary-general of the Office of theNational Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), said the Thai foreign ministry received a letter from Queensland's premier seeking His Majesty's approval to use the monarch’s artificial rain-making techniques to solve the drought in the state.

Dr Soottiporn said that Queensland will coordinate with the NRCT and the Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation regarding the operation process of artificial rainmaking.

The premier of Queensland stated in his letter that the development of the rainmaking reflects the Thai king's wisdom which is valuable to the world community, said Dr Soottiporn.

King Bhumibol has devoted himself to study and develop the artificial rain technique since 1955 as rainfall is considered crucial for the majority of Thai people whose lives depend on agriculture, while drought remains a common problem in some parts of the country, particularly the Northeast.

After many experiments by His Majesty and the rainmaking team, the operation produced a successful outcome. "Royal Rain" was officially named by the Thai cabinet in 1974, with the formation of the “Royal Rain-Making Operation Office” under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in the following year.