On behalf of the Thai government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, it is a great honor for me to host this event and to welcome you all to the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Regional Workshop on Weather Modification for the year 2024.

As we are all aware, the issue of water has become increasingly important due to global warming, which has now escalated into a state of extreme climate, leading to severe weather changes and natural disasters such as droughts and floods. These conditions pose a threat to the security of water and food resources, a matter of growing global concern. In order to preserve our water and food resources, the development of innovative technologies is essential in addressing these challenges.

Weather modification is a scientific process aimed at increasing rainfall in arid areas to alleviate the hardships and challenges posed by such conditions in the long term. Thailand is fortunate that His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great initiated the Royal Rainmaking Project in 1955 to address the drought caused by erratic weather patterns. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has responded to and continued His Majesty’s wish to assist the populace in achieving sufficient water access for a good quality of life and happiness,
while remaining committed to developing and advancing rainmaking technology alongside ongoing research and development to mitigate the severity of natural disasters and ensure water security for the agricultural sector and the preservation of our ecosystems.

This workshop aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and expertise among participants, enhancing the capabilities of personnel involved in weather modification from Thailand and the participating countries. I encourage all of you to gather as much information and knowledge as possible to apply in practice, and to collaborate in research and development of technologies that will serve as tools for sustainable water resource management in the future.

Finally, I would like to thank all international representatives for recognizing the importance of this event and for joining us here in Thailand. I also extend my gratitude to all the organizing committee members for their efforts in ensuring the smooth and appropriate execution of this event. I hope that you will take the opportunity to enjoy Thailand’s tourist attractions, arts, culture, as well as our unique and world-renowned cuisine and fruits.

With this, it is my privilege to officially open the ASEAN Regional Seminar on Weather Modification 2024.