Thailand has mobilised six rainmaking units across the country as authorities prepare for the impact of El Nino, which is expected to bring hotter conditions and reduced rainfall throughout much of 2026. The move aims to boost reservoir levels, protect agricultural land and reduce drought risks as weather patterns shift.
Get today's headlines by email 
On May 1, 2026, Rachen Silparaya, Director-General of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation, said the Thai Meteorological Department’s March assessment indicated conditions were likely to enter an El Nino phase from May and potentially continue until the end of the year. The shift is expected to result in extreme heat and below-average rainfall, raising concerns over widespread damage to farmland.
In response, rainmaking units have been deployed in drought-prone areas to increase water storage and restore moisture to forests and agricultural zones when weather conditions allow. The operations form part of proactive measures under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, based on four strategies: water storage, water replenishment, adaptation and monitoring.
Rainmaking operations began on March 1, 2026, with authorities targeting areas in need of water and aiming to increase reservoir capacity. Between March 1 and April 30, missions were conducted on 53 days, involving 446 flights, with rainfall successfully generated in 98.11% of operations.
Six operational units have been deployed as follows:
Phitsanulok rainmaking unit, operating two medium-sized aircraft from the department and one BT-67 aircraft from the Royal Thai Air Force
Buri Ram rainmaking unit, operating two medium-sized aircraft
Surat Thani rainmaking unit, operating one large aircraft and one BT-67 aircraft from the Royal Thai Air Force
Nakhon Sawan rainmaking unit, operating two medium-sized aircraft
Chanthaburi rainmaking unit, operating three small aircraft
Prachuap Khiri Khan rainmaking unit, operating three small aircraft
The efforts benefited agricultural land across 33 provinces, including Phetchabun, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Trang, Ratchaburi, Ranong and Songkhla. A total of 80.08 million rai of land received support, while water supplies were replenished in 12 large reservoirs and 51 medium and small reservoirs, with a cumulative volume of 55.13 million cubic metres in catchment areas.
Authorities have also used weather modification techniques to address fine particulate pollution, or PM2.5, in affected regions including Bangkok and surrounding provinces, as well as the North and Northeast. Methods such as dry ice seeding, cold water spraying, cloud formation and cloud enhancement were employed to help absorb and disperse pollutants, with air quality improving to moderate, good and very good levels.
Operational results showed:
In Bangkok and surrounding areas, operations conducted between December 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, covered 115 days and 677 flights. PM2.5 levels were reduced below 37.5 micrograms per cubic metre — the standard threshold — on 105 days, representing a 91% success rate
In the North, operations between February 1 and April 30, 2026, covered 83 days and 576 flights, with PM2.5 levels reduced below the threshold on 48 days, representing a 58% success rate
In the Northeast, operations between January 15 and April 30, 2026, covered 42 days and 124 flights, with PM2.5 levels reduced below the threshold on 34 days, representing an 81% success rate
The Nation reported that the department has adjusted its operational plan from May 1, 2026, to better align with rising demand for rainmaking services amid the potential emergence of a “super El Nino”. Three hailstorm suppression units remain on standby in Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok and Khon Kaen to monitor and respond to summer storm conditions.
Pictures courtesy of The Nation
Join the discussion? 
Already a member? 
Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 3 May 2026