Cloudseeding underway in drought-hit Nakhon Si Thammarat

The Nation

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- Cloudseeding operations are underway over the droughthit southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, with a fleet of aircraft operating on direct orders from His Majesty the King, provincial governor Wiroj Jiwarangsan said yesterday.

About 30,000 rai of rice paddies, or 10 per cent of farmland in the province, had been badly hit by the longstanding drought, he said. The cloudseeding operation commenced yesterday and is expected to produce sufficient volume of rainwater to revive the dying crop and sustain its viability, he added.

The fleet of aircraft being used belongs to the Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation and is based in Prachaup Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district, which is home to Klai Kangwon Palace. It comprises four civilian aircraft - a Corsair and three Cessna, said fleet commander Flight Lieutenant Mont Suthas na Ayutthaya.

The Corsair is the largest member of the fleet, capable of carrying a tonne of cloudseeding chemicals, while the three Cessna can each carry up to 800 kilograms of cargo. The first flights were flown yesterday evening, supported by a team on the ground.

Wiroj noted that Nakhon Si Thammarat is a riceproducing hub in the South, and said that if the drought continued for another week, crop damage would escalate.

"Reduction in rice production in Nakhon Si Thammarat would result in a big drop for the region's output," he added.

-- The Nation 2012-08-03

I understand the theory behind this so if it actually works, then why are there still droughts all over the world including the USA at the moment? Or is this like the tug boats on the river theory i.e. it only works in Thailand?

Sounds like fantasy stuff. I always thought it had only had limited success. I think one of the problems would be being able to have a controlled test of it to be able to prove it was successful..

If there are no clouds/enough moisture in the atmosphere for seeding it is all for naught. That means anywhere in the world. A waste of time and money but TIT.

If there are no clouds/enough moisture in the atmosphere for seeding it is all for naught. That means anywhere in the world. A waste of time and money but TIT.

Hi 1weatherman

This process is better known as "cloud seeding" and is only employed when suitable cloud formations are present. You say TIT -- well it should also be TIA.

"A rain-making method developed by Thai king Bhumipol Adulyadej is set to aid Queensland in battles with drought after an agreement between the state government and the Thai royal household.

The Queensland government's access to the rain-making technology, developed by King Bhumipol over the past 30 years, came a year after the state approached the royal household last year."

http://news.smh.com....0808-11q5f.html

It was later suggested that this "cloud seeding" program was responsible for the floods that followed -- inundating huge areas of Queensland.

"Queensland initially made the request for assistance when the state was more than 35 per cent drought affected in 2009. But heavy rains across the region over the first half of this year has left less than two per cent of coverage still affected."

I understand the theory behind this so if it actually works, then why are there still droughts all over the world including the USA at the moment? Or is this like the tug boats on the river theory i.e. it only works in Thailand?

No it is long proofed. Since the Soviets developed it. But the problem is. that you need clouds that carry enough water. These you can seed so they rain out some water.

No clouds just dry air and it won't work.

This has happened for years in the South, sorry to say so.... The North /east is where it is at... It takes time but they listen....... Issan I love you, and yes it takes time to explain.....

Kilosierra

Not meaning to be too cynical but didn't the army just claim they want more arial reconnaissance in the south.

There are plenty bits of the country under average rainfall at the moment.

are the veggies not already full of pesticides, chemicals

where did i read again that thais have a high encounter of stomac cancer ?

but that might be the pollution, smoking and drinking i guess

I understand the theory behind this so if it actually works, then why are there still droughts all over the world including the USA at the moment? Or is this like the tug boats on the river theory i.e. it only works in Thailand?

The reason that we have droughts and weather extremes all over the world is because of the irresponsible discharge of green house gases into the atmosphere by America, China and India predominantly. There is a lack of willingness to combat this as the politicians are in the palms of big industry as they get their backing in the form of pre-election funding and are frightened to upset them!!!

THAT'S WHY!!

I understand the theory behind this so if it actually works, then why are there still droughts all over the world including the USA at the moment? Or is this like the tug boats on the river theory i.e. it only works in Thailand?

The reason that we have droughts and weather extremes all over the world is because of the irresponsible discharge of green house gases into the atmosphere by America, China and India predominantly. There is a lack of willingness to combat this as the politicians are in the palms of big industry as they get their backing in the form of pre-election funding and are frightened to upset them!!!

THAT'S WHY!!

Or of course its just naturally changing weather/climatic patterns as have been going on for millions of years earth....interesting piece on the BBC early this morning, ancient palm trees found in the core sample in Antartica...the scienctific team suggested that the ambient conditions at the time were between 10 and 25 degrees C, oh and by the way dont think American, China and India existed back them and come to think of it either did man..

As we all know Global warming has been debunked and the PC/back peddling term used these days....climate change

If there are no clouds/enough moisture in the atmosphere for seeding it is all for naught. That means anywhere in the world. A waste of time and money but TIT.

Hi 1weatherman

This process is better known as "cloud seeding" and is only employed when suitable cloud formations are present. You say TIT -- well it should also be TIA.

"A rain-making method developed by Thai king Bhumipol Adulyadej is set to aid Queensland in battles with drought after an agreement between the state government and the Thai royal household.

The Queensland government's access to the rain-making technology, developed by King Bhumipol over the past 30 years, came a year after the state approached the royal household last year."

http://news.smh.com....0808-11q5f.html

It was later suggested that this "cloud seeding" program was responsible for the floods that followed -- inundating huge areas of Queensland.

"Queensland initially made the request for assistance when the state was more than 35 per cent drought affected in 2009. But heavy rains across the region over the first half of this year has left less than two per cent of coverage still affected."

It is Queensland...they do all sorts of wacky stuff up that way.

I understand the theory behind this so if it actually works, then why are there still droughts all over the world including the USA at the moment? Or is this like the tug boats on the river theory i.e. it only works in Thailand?

The reason that we have droughts and weather extremes all over the world is because of the irresponsible discharge of green house gases into the atmosphere by America, China and India predominantly. There is a lack of willingness to combat this as the politicians are in the palms of big industry as they get their backing in the form of pre-election funding and are frightened to upset them!!!

THAT'S WHY!!

Or of course its just naturally changing weather/climatic patterns as have been going on for millions of years earth....interesting piece on the BBC early this morning, ancient palm trees found in the core sample in Antartica...the scienctific team suggested that the ambient conditions at the time were between 10 and 25 degrees C, oh and by the way dont think American, China and India existed back them and come to think of it either did man..

As we all know Global warming has been debunked and the PC/back peddling term used these days....climate change

Naturally changing!!!??? Do you seriously think that the weather we are experiencing - droughts/floods/high temperatures/record wet months/record dry months are normal!!

We never, in our lifetimes have ever experienced such consistent extremes all over the world which is now becoming the norm.

Can someone explain how the 'seeding process' works:

- i understand that you need to have vapour or clouds present in the air.

so what are the chemicals involved? and how do they make the rain?

(also: does anyone know if the chemicals are actually dangerous)? ie: would you want to standing in the area that they are spraying? - (will the falling rain be toxic (because of the chemicals that were sprayed)?

I understand the theory behind this so if it actually works, then why are there still droughts all over the world including the USA at the moment? Or is this like the tug boats on the river theory i.e. it only works in Thailand?

The reason that we have droughts and weather extremes all over the world is because of the irresponsible discharge of green house gases into the atmosphere by America, China and India predominantly. There is a lack of willingness to combat this as the politicians are in the palms of big industry as they get their backing in the form of pre-election funding and are frightened to upset them!!!

THAT'S WHY!!

Or of course its just naturally changing weather/climatic patterns as have been going on for millions of years earth....interesting piece on the BBC early this morning, ancient palm trees found in the core sample in Antartica...the scienctific team suggested that the ambient conditions at the time were between 10 and 25 degrees C, oh and by the way dont think American, China and India existed back them and come to think of it either did man..

As we all know Global warming has been debunked and the PC/back peddling term used these days....climate change

Naturally changing!!!??? Do you seriously think that the weather we are experiencing - droughts/floods/high temperatures/record wet months/record dry months are normal!!

We never, in our lifetimes have ever experienced such consistent extremes all over the world which is now becoming the norm.

Our lifetime is if absolutely no significance in terms of measuring climate change. The fact that i remember it being hotter or colder as a kid is absolutely, statistically irrelevant.

The reason that we have droughts and weather extremes all over the world is because of the irresponsible discharge of green house gases into the atmosphere by America, China and India predominantly. There is a lack of willingness to combat this as the politicians are in the palms of big industry as they get their backing in the form of pre-election funding and are frightened to upset them!!!

THAT'S WHY!!

Or of course its just naturally changing weather/climatic patterns as have been going on for millions of years earth....interesting piece on the BBC early this morning, ancient palm trees found in the core sample in Antartica...the scienctific team suggested that the ambient conditions at the time were between 10 and 25 degrees C, oh and by the way dont think American, China and India existed back them and come to think of it either did man..

As we all know Global warming has been debunked and the PC/back peddling term used these days....climate change

Naturally changing!!!??? Do you seriously think that the weather we are experiencing - droughts/floods/high temperatures/record wet months/record dry months are normal!!

We never, in our lifetimes have ever experienced such consistent extremes all over the world which is now becoming the norm.

Our lifetime is if absolutely no significance in terms of measuring climate change. The fact that i remember it being hotter or colder as a kid is absolutely, statistically irrelevant.

I think that we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

The fact that I'm in the (extremely high) majority of those with views and an understanding on this as well as the scientists studying global warming and weather patterns indicates that I am right on this!!!

We never, in our lifetimes have ever experienced such consistent extremes all over the world which is now becoming the norm.

What has a life time got to do which this in the scheme of things as related to climatic events, another fact for you

Sahara desert once a series of lakes, natually occuring climate change caused it to change into a desert.

Based on your hysterical remarks, it appears you have been brain washed by Al Gore

the scientists studying global warming and weather patterns

Global warming is a fallacy

Can someone explain how the 'seeding process' works:

- i understand that you need to have vapour or clouds present in the air.

so what are the chemicals involved? and how do they make the rain?

(also: does anyone know if the chemicals are actually dangerous)? ie: would you want to standing in the area that they are spraying? - (will the falling rain be toxic (because of the chemicals that were sprayed)?

http://www.ranches.org/cloudSeedingHarmful.htm

We never, in our lifetimes have ever experienced such consistent extremes all over the world which is now becoming the norm.

Sahara desert once a series of lakes, natually occuring climate change caused it to change into a desert.

That was a combination of climate change and planet earth doing a wobble, which it does every 22,000 years.

Steve, your or my local recollection of the weather is irrelevant when measuring climate over 100s of thousands of years. I am not denying the possibility of global warming, although, the stats don't look conclusive yet.

It snowed 2 metres in my home town when i wad 10, and I was out in the pissing 4 days a week playing rugby. It hasn't snowed like that since, but i don't recollect if it is wetter or not since I am in doors all day.

Anecdotal local experience means less than nothing in global climate measurement.

We never, in our lifetimes have ever experienced such consistent extremes all over the world which is now becoming the norm.

Sahara desert once a series of lakes, natually occuring climate change caused it to change into a desert.

That was a combination of climate change and planet earth doing a wobble, which it does every 22,000 years.

But did the US, China and India have anything to do with it ?......the point is significant climate change has been going on for millions of years and will do so long after man as a species not longer exists on this planet

We never, in our lifetimes have ever experienced such consistent extremes all over the world which is now becoming the norm.

Sahara desert once a series of lakes, natually occuring climate change caused it to change into a desert.

That was a combination of climate change and planet earth doing a wobble, which it does every 22,000 years.

But did the US, China and India have anything to do with it ?......the point is significant climate change has been going on for millions of years and will do so long after man as a species not longer exists on this planet

But not to this degree and in such a tiny space of time it hasn't!!!

It seems that nearly every month there is some extreme in England - either record dries or wet's, or the warmest average monthly temperature. Please don't tell me that this is normal as it just doesn't add up.

This is fact - and statistics over millions of years don't figure in the equation!!

are the veggies not already full of pesticides, chemicals

where did i read again that thais have a high encounter of stomac cancer ?

but that might be the pollution, smoking and drinking i guess

A diet rich in chillies is a known cause of stomach cancer.

I read a few years ago that Mexico has the highest incidence of stomach cancer and also the highest intake of chillies in the world.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect App

Nice, now we get rice with silver iodide added to it!

But not to this degree and in such a tiny space of time it hasn't!!!

It seems that nearly every month there is some extreme in England - either record dries or wet's, or the warmest average monthly temperature. Please don't tell me that this is normal as it just doesn't add up.

This is fact - and statistics over millions of years don't figure in the equation!!

The only reason for the pereception that there are more climatic effects happening on a world wide scale is due to improvement in global communications in the modern world, internet/CNN/BBC etc go back even 100 -150year years or so, where climatic events going on ?, of course they were, but only people living in that place knew about them and they were not being reported on a world wide scale.

Does it appear there is climate change going on..yes...but lets not get away from what you said, you blamed the US, China & India for causing this. Does volcanic activity not spew out green house gases as well on a large scale ?...or are you going to blame the US, China & india for volcanic eruptions as well ?

I am merely point out that global/local climates are in a constant state of flux and its been that way for millions of years

As regard your statement "never in such a time space of time"...prove it, I seem to remember reading the piece on the Sahara desert and according to the article it went from lakes to a desert in the space of a couple of hundred years....a mere blip in the big scheme of things

Nice, now we get rice with silver iodide added to it!

Good stuff...so when they build the nukes in Thailand you have already been getting your iodine to protect your Thyroid from radiation, at least they are thinking ahead..

I understand the theory behind this so if it actually works, then why are there still droughts all over the world including the USA at the moment? Or is this like the tug boats on the river theory i.e. it only works in Thailand?

The reason that we have droughts and weather extremes all over the world is because of the irresponsible discharge of green house gases into the atmosphere by America, China and India predominantly. There is a lack of willingness to combat this as the politicians are in the palms of big industry as they get their backing in the form of pre-election funding and are frightened to upset them!!!

THAT'S WHY!!

It is more because they cut the trees, closed the land with concrete and BLOCKED the water. Without blocking it, there would have been a slight flood and not a huge one.

Can someone explain how the 'seeding process' works:

- i understand that you need to have vapour or clouds present in the air.

so what are the chemicals involved? and how do they make the rain?

(also: does anyone know if the chemicals are actually dangerous)? ie: would you want to standing in the area that they are spraying? - (will the falling rain be toxic (because of the chemicals that were sprayed)?

Originally was used salts of AgNO3 in Soviet, but the King could mostly or all exchange the expensive silver to cheaper salts.

All are harmless substances and small quantities.

it just help to build the first initial cores of a rain drop, once started it rains on itself (if the moisture is high enough)

Apparently dry ice works when there are no clouds.