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King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand has received a patent for artificial rain-making. His technique involves releasing crystals from aircraft to “seed” warm and cold clouds at different altitudes – which should make it possible to target more precisely where rain will fall. Known locally as Royal Rain, the project aims to help poor farmers, particularly in the north of Thailand. And the 75-year-old king, who takes a keen interest in environmental and agricultural issues, has certainly been no slouch at dreaming up ways to help his people. In 1993, he became the first ever member of a royal family…