Thailand ranked first worldwide in weather modification

The country’s success has drawn international interest, though implementation abroad remains limited due to the technical expertise required and dependence on favorable weather conditions like high humidity and suitable cloud formations.

Typical operations involve three aircraft: the first initiates cloud seeding, the second enhances cloud development, and the third triggers rainfall. Using only one aircraft to perform all three steps in separate flights reduces the chances of success, while simultaneous operations increase the probability of rainfall. Each aircraft requires a crew of at least seven people.

From Feb. 23 to Aug. 26, 2025, the department conducted 2,065 rainmaking flights across 161 days, achieving rainfall in over 95% of operations. The effort helped ease drought conditions on more than 141 million rai of farmland in 63 provinces.

To improve efficiency, five dry ice production plants—each capable of producing one ton per hour—are being built in Tak, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Buriram, and Phetchaburi provinces, and are expected to be completed by early October.