Royal rainmaking operation increases rainfall over Sam Roi Yot–Hua Hin
A royal rainmaking operation over Sam Roi Yot and Hua Hin has resulted in a lower cloud base and increased rainfall across parts of Prachuap Khiri Khan, according to an update from the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department.
The department said its Prachuap Khiri Khan rainmaking operations unit conducted its fourth flight mission covering the area from Sam Roi Yot district to Hua Hin district. The operation was aimed at stimulating rainfall under suitable atmospheric conditions.
Before the flight, meteorological observations identified cumulonimbus and stratocumulus cloud formations covering around seven-tenths of the sky. The cloud base was measured at approximately 4,500 to 5,500 feet, while cloud tops were recorded at multiple levels ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 feet. Some cloud clusters extended beyond 15,000 feet.
During the royal rainmaking operation, cloud formations were reported to continue developing, becoming denser and rising to higher altitudes. Rain droplets were intermittently observed striking the aircraft’s windscreen, indicating active precipitation within parts of the operational zone. Rainfall was subsequently recorded from several cloud clusters across the targeted area.
Officials said that following the operation, the cloud base was observed to have lowered, while the clouds appeared darker and more widespread. Increased rainfall was also reported across sections of the Sam Roi Yot–Hua Hin corridor, suggesting that the intervention had contributed to improved precipitation levels.
Rainmaking missions are periodically carried out in Thailand to help address water shortages, support agricultural activity, and manage weather patterns during dry periods. Authorities typically assess atmospheric conditions before deploying aircraft to maximise the effectiveness of each operation.
