Community Privy Councillor Inaugurates New Upper Southern Royal Rainmaking Operations Centre in Cha-am

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phukphasuk, a Privy Councillor and Chairman of the Royal Rainmaking Expert Advisory Board, presided over the official opening of the Upper Southern Royal Rainmaking Operations Centre in Cha-am district, Phetchaburi province.

 

The event was attended by Mr. Rachen Silparaya, Director-General of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation, Mr. Prappon Lohveera, Deputy Director-General for Operations, Mrs. Wanpen Mangsri, Deputy Governor of Phetchaburi, Mr. Sinat Oa-iem, Deputy Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and local government agencies.

 

The newly inaugurated centre, located in Samphraya subdistrict, is tasked with supporting royal rainmaking missions and integrated water resource management across eight provinces in Thailand’s upper southern region: Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Samut Prakan, Chumphon and Ranong. It plays a vital role in preserving and applying the Royal Rainmaking principles established by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.

 

The centre will conduct rainmaking missions to increase water supply for agriculture and reforestation, replenish water reservoirs and dams, combat PM2.5 air pollution, and mitigate drought, forest fires, and other water-related disasters. Key agricultural sectors in the region supported by this work include rice, sugarcane, pineapple, cassava, maize, rubber, oil palm, coconut, durian, and mango.

 

During the visit, Air Chief Marshal Chalit also inspected the site of Thailand’s first Royal Rainmaking Chemical Production Facility, which is under construction. The facility aims to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of chemical production for rainmaking operations and enhance responsiveness during emergencies.

 

The councillor also visited the “Father of Royal Rainmaking” museum, which serves as a centre for public education about His Majesty King Bhumibol’s pioneering rainmaking projects and holistic water management strategies, seen as a cornerstone of sustainable national development.

 

According to Director-General Rachen, the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation currently operates eight rainmaking units across the country in Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, and Hua Hin. The department utilises a fleet comprising 10 medium-sized aircraft, 11 small aircraft and one pressurised aircraft.

 

Between 23 February and 15 July 2025, the department conducted 1,526 missions over 126 days, supporting 62 provinces including Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Tak, Phayao, Phichit, Sukhothai, Nakhon Sawan, Ang Thong, Uthai Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan. An estimated 94% of these operations successfully generated rainfall.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-07-19