On 14 November 2020, at Ratthaprasasanabhakti Building, the Government Complex, Chaengwattana Road, Laksi, Bangkok, Dr. Chalermchai Sreeon, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand chaired the remembrance ceremony to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, King Rama 9, the Father of Royal Rainmaking. It was joined by the ministry’s executives, representatives of concerned agencies, as well as Royal Rainmaking volunteers to offer the lotus-shaped flowery tray to pay homage to the Father of Royal Rainmaking, the event emphasizes on the exhibition.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives by the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agriculture Aviation (DRRAA)organized the Father of Royal Rainmaking Day 2020 under the concept of “9 of the 9 Important Things Relating to the Royal Rain” to mark the 65th anniversary of the Royal Rainmaking Project, which His Majesty King Rama 9, initiated since November 14, 1955, to help people suffering from drought during his visit to the rural areas of the northeastern Thailand.
Therefore, November 14 is designated as the Father of Royal Rainmaking Day to be inscribed in the history of Thailand, giving Thai citizens the opportunity to show their loyalty and commemorate the graciousness of His Majesty King Rama 9.
The Royal Rainmaking Project has been developing until now benefiting on economic, social, environment, and especially on water security for Thailand. His Majesty King Rama 9 also initiated the Royal Rainmaking Technology which has been accepted and granted patents and rewards by the national and international organizations.
He provided it as a guideline for Royal Rainmaking in Thailand and also granted permission to foreign countries to use it to mitigate drought, counted as the great innovation which is beneficial to Thais and all mankind.
Dr. Surasri Kidtimonton, DRRAA Director General, stated that the event has been organized during 12 – 14 November 2020. On November 12, Captain Thamanat Prompow, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, presided over the opening ceremony of the exhibition titled “9 of the 9 Important Things Relating to the Royal Rain”, presented awards to the outstanding Royal Rainmaking volunteers in the regional and national levels and to the winners of the painting contest under the concept “Royal Rainmaking, Continue, Preserve, and Build up.”
The “9 of the 9 Important Things Relating to the Royal Rain” exhibition shows the important things occurred in the reign of His Majesty King Rama 9, comprising:
1. Kuchinarai Intersection, the beginning of the Royal Rainmaking Project
2. M.R. Debbhri Devakul whom King Rama 9 assigned to carry on the Royal Rainmaking Project
3.Nong Taku Airport where the first experimental operation in the sky taken place
4.Bo Fai Airport, the rainmaking research and experiment workplace of King Rama 9
5.Kaeng Krachan Dam, amazed by Thais and foreigners
6.The first royal anointed aircraft, the great auspice for the cloud hunters
7.Omkoi radar station, the first Royal Rainmaking radar station
8.Royal rainmaking Technology, a new technology of the world.
9.Propitious emblem of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agriculture Aviation
The highlight of the event is a 4D movie (4 Dimensions Experience) on the Royal Rainmaking story with a virtual reality technology. Furthermore, there are exhibitions on other Royal projects exhibited by agencies under the Ministry of Agricultureand Cooperative and DRRAA’s counterparts, such as Royal Thai Air Force, Kasetsart University, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), and Hydro-Informatics Institute.
In the event, there is a bazaar of community products (OTOP) including vegetables, fruits, and processed foods with affordable price. There is also the demonstration offish processing, silk reeling, household accounting, decoupaged fan making, as well as stage performances.
***************************************************
Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation
14 November 2020