Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej is to oversee personally an artificial rain-making project in a bid to end a severe drought in the country.
He is expanding a cloud-seeding technique he patented in 2002, which involves aircraft releasing a chemical into clouds to induce rainfall.
He suggested the idea as most of Thailand's 76 provinces face their worst drought for several years.
An additional 17 aircraft have been drafted in for the scheme.
It has also been expanded from 10 to 22 bases across the country.
"The king has set up a centre for rain-making at Hua Hin [his seaside residence] and will personally command the centre to help alleviate drought," Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob told the AFP news agency.
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