Thailand to help Jordan make artificial rain
2012-07-19 14:43:35
Jordan and Thailand are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding soon under which the latter will help the Kingdom make artificial rain, according to the top Thai diplomat in Amman.
In an interview with The Jordan Times Wednesday, Thai Ambassador in Amman Piriya Khempon said preparations for the memo are progressing.
A study conducted by a team of Thai experts who visited the Kingdom recently, indicated that creating artificial rain in Jordan is feasible, the ambassador added.
"After we sign the memo with Jordan soon, a team of Thai experts in the field will come to Jordan to transfer its expertise and know-how in making artificial rain to Jordanian experts in the water sector," he said.
After signing the memo, Jordanian authorities need to prepare the necessary infrastructure for going ahead with the project.
The methodology involves introducing certain chemicals in cloudy areas to "seed" the clouds with increased moisture that would eventually result in precipitation.
In 2009, the Kingdom received permission from Thailand to use the technique, joining Australia, New Zealand, Oman and Tanzania.
Approximately 91 per cent of Jordan's total area of 97,000 square kilometres is arid, with an annual rainfall average of 50-200 millimetres, while 2.9 per cent of the country's land is semi-arid, with an annual rainfall average of 400-580 millimetres.
During the interview, the ambassador noted that there is room for further cooperation between the two countries in the tourism, culture and business sectors.
"Jordan is home to a diverse line-up of tourist attractions such as Petra and the Dead Sea" There is a need for more marketing of Jordan's tourist sites in Thailand," the ambassador stressed.
Noting that about 4,000 Thai tourists visited Jordan last year, he said the number is "very modest".
"Jordanian tour operators can increase the number of Thai tourists coming to Jordan if they have offices in Thailand," the envoy pointed out.
He also called for implementing joint investments in the Kingdom, noting that Thai businesspeople can have access to regional and global markets if they start businesses in Jordan.
"Jordan is a peaceful country and stable. It is a gateway to the region. Jordan is signatory to several free trade agreements and that helps investors penetrate global markets," he said.