rain-making

[Jiayun]

Bhumibol's tale, even if stripped of the mythology his courtiers have spent decades constructing around him, is exceptional. The American-born son of a half-Chinese commoner accidentally inherits a throne close to extinction and revives it, creating one of the world's most powerful and wealthy monarchies, and surely the only one of any significance to have gained in political power in modern times. The king's charisma, intelligence, talents (from playing the saxophone to rain-making, a science in which he holds a European patent) and deep concern for his people's welfare make him adored at home and admired around the world.

What does "rain-making" mean in the above paragraph?

Thanks!

JY

[Rover_KE]

You can take it literally: he makes it rain in areas where there is drought.

Click here to read more.

Rover

[SlickVic9000]

(Not a Teacher)

There are is a technique known as 'cloud seeding' used to create rain artificially. This could be what "rain-making" refers to here, but without the man's name I couldn't tell you more about it.

[Jiayun]

The guy's name is Bhumibol who is the king of Thailand. I thought rain making was a metaphor. Perhaps, I was wrong.

(Not a Teacher)

There are is a technique known as 'cloud seeding' used to create rain artificially. This could be what "rain-making" refers to here, but without the man's name I couldn't tell you more about it.

[SlickVic9000]

Sorry, you already had the guy's name in your OP. I guess I'm a little sleepy right now.
Anyway, it looks like 5jj's post has it covered.

[5jj]

Sorry, you already had the guy's name in your OP. I guess I'm a little sleepy right now.
Anyway, it looks like 5jj's post has it covered.

Sleepy is the right word it seems. It was Rover's post, not mine.

[Rover_KE]

Get a grip, Vic!

[SoothingDave]

The guy's name is Bhumibol who is the king of Thailand. I thought rain making was a metaphor. Perhaps, I was wrong.

Someone can, metaphorically, be a "rain maker," if he brings in a lot of business/clients/money to a business. But in this use it is meant literally. There wouldn't be patents on a metaphorical rain making.