Thailand Takes Action to Combat Air Pollution with Rain-Making Flights
Air quality in Bangkok and surrounding regions improves after rain-making operations.
On December 3, it was reported that the air quality index (AQI) in Bangkok and surrounding provinces showed improvement following the first day of rain-making flights conducted by the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (DRRAA). The operation, which took place on December 2, focused on reducing the levels of harmful PM2.5 particulate matter, particularly in Bangkok and northern provinces. The flights were carried out using Casa aircraft, which sprayed cooled water into the atmosphere to lower temperatures and help alleviate pollution.
According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Itthi Sirilathayakorn, the operation successfully reduced the AQI in Bangkok from an unhealthy level of 154 µg/m³ to a more moderate 66 µg/m³. In northern Thailand, similar flights in Chiang Mai reduced the AQI slightly from 84 µg/m³ to 83 µg/m³. The rain-making flights are part of Thailand's efforts to combat severe air pollution, which has affected numerous provinces, with PM2.5 levels reaching hazardous levels in many areas. The government is planning further measures and technological advancements to improve air quality in the future.