Thailand uses rain-making flights to improve air quality

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Itthi Sirilathayakorn said on Tuesday that the operations aimed to mitigate the level of PM2.5 fine particulate matter in Bangkok and nearby provinces as well as those in the north.

The Royal Rainmaking Operation Units in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Kanchanaburi provinces began their mission on Monday.

They used the technique of reducing the inverse temperature of the atmosphere by sprinkling water, using two Casa aircraft.

Each sprayed 1,600 liters of cooled water into the air in a spiraling circle with a radius of 5-7 miles (8-11 kilometers) above areas in Phetchaburi and Samut Sakhon provinces.

According to Itthi, after the operation, the overall AQI in Bangkok has improved from early Tuesday morning, when it stood at 154 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), an unhealthy level, down to 66 µg/m³, a moderate level.

In the northern region, the Royal Rainmaking Operations Unit in Chiang Mai also conducted flights about 5 pm on Monday, slightly reducing the AQI from 84 µg/m³ to 83 µg/m³.

Deputy director-general of operations at DRRAA Rachen Silaraya said this was a proactive measure to reduce air pollution.

He noted that the department will develop new technology and techniques to manage it more efficiently.

Eleven provinces in Thailand were reported to have PM2.5 levels in the red zone, which poses a significant health risk

The worst five were Nonthaburi, Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, and Nakhon Pathom.