By Mohammad Ghazal

AMMAN – Jordanian-Thai ties may bring about wet weather in the Kingdom under cooperation in artificial rain techniques, according to the top Thai diplomat in Amman.

In a recent interview with The Jordan Times, Thai Ambassador in Amman Isinthorn Sornvai said Jordan is actively studying ways to benefit from Thailand’s experience in producing artificial rain to address the country’s water shortage.

A delegation from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation visited Thailand in July to study artificial rainmaking technology with Thailand’s bureau of royal rainmaking and agricultural aviation, and is currently assessing ways to adopt the technology in Jordan, he added.

The ambassador noted that the technology was developed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand in 1969, adding that the Thai king holds an international patent on the rainmaking method.

“Offering this technique to Jordan shows the distinguished cooperation and ties between the two countriesة When I received my credentials to come to Jordan, I was told by his majesty our king to do anything to make closer the ties between Jordan and Thailand,” he said, adding that boosting the Kingdom’s rainwater has become a priority for the embassy.

The methodology involves introducing certain chemicals in cloudy areas to “seed” the clouds with increased moisture that would eventually result in precipitation.

In 2009, Jordan received permission from Thailand to use the technique, joining Australia, New Zealand, Oman and Tanzania, according to the embassy.

“This technique is of great benefit for Jordan and can boost the agricultural sector,” the ambassador stressed.

Jesda Tivayanond, press and political officer at the Thai embassy, said the project is “vital” for Jordan.

“We are not talking about commercial activity here. We are talking about water, which is the source of life. At some point, food security will be the top priority for all countries and this technique will be important to boosting argiculture,” Tivayanond told The Jordan Times.

Rainmaking operations have helped farmers throughout Thailand manage the country’s water shortage, leading to increased agricultural production, Sornvai said.

Jordan, which is considered the world’s fourth poorest country in terms of water access, suffers an annual water deficit of 500 million cubic metres and per capita share of water does not exceed 150 cubic metres per year, well below the water poverty line of 1,000 cubic metres per year.
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