Mongolia and Thailand have strengthened their weather modification cooperation, focusing on increasing precipitation in the Gobi region. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Batbaatar Bat and Director of the National Agency of Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring Battulga Erkhembayar recently met with officials from Thailand’s Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation.
During the meeting, both parties reviewed the results of joint research on artificial weather modification. They also discussed the findings from a team that worked in Dalanzadgad, located in Umnugobi aimag. Furthermore, they outlined cooperation plans for the years 2025 to 2029.
Thai experts studied ten years of meteorological data from Umnugobi aimag. They also assessed the current weather modification methods and equipment used locally. Based on their analysis, the experts suggested several improvements. First, they recommended modernizing the existing rockets and ground-based generators. Second, they advised increasing the frequency of cloud seeding efforts. Third, they proposed new ways to disperse reagents and salt using small aircraft and drones.
Moreover, the Thai side emphasized the importance of building local expertise. Therefore, they plan to provide extensive training and hands-on practice to Mongolian personnel. Additionally, they aim to localize advanced weather modification technologies that align with climate change challenges.
Significantly, Mongolia currently lacks ground-based generators for weather modification. Thailand has offered to transfer this technology free of charge. This generous gesture highlights the strong commitment to weather modification cooperation between the two countries.
The collaboration will involve Thai experts, Mongolia’s National Agency of Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring, and the Governor’s Office of Umnugobi aimag. Together, they will implement the planned activities over the next five years.
Thailand’s Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation operates a fleet of 30 aircraft. These planes conduct more than 6,000 flights yearly, aimed at artificial weather modification. Overall, this renewed weather modification cooperation marks a crucial step forward. It promises to improve precipitation in Mongolia’s arid Gobi region and build sustainable local capabilities.
