Ice in the sky: Thailand's desperate attempt to fight air pollution

A pilot flying next to another aircraft from Thailand's Royal Rainmaking department taking part in an atmospheric modification mission to displace pollution by spraying icy water in the air on the outskirts of Bangkok. — Photo: Chanakarn Laosarakham / AFP

Flying through Bangkok's cloudless blue skies, a small aircraft sprays a white mist over a thick haze of pea soup smog below.

This is Thailand's desperate, unproven attempt at reducing the oppressive air pollution over its capital, which on recently reached eight times the World Health Organization's recommended daily maximum average.