Winter finally arrived in Pattaya, at least for a few days, with the temperature hitting a low of 17.2 degrees Celsius, still about 5 degrees higher than the recent record of 12.9 degrees set two years ago on Jan. 24 (source http://www.pattayaweather.net/Pattaya-Records.html).
The low was recorded Jan. 25 at the Naval Radio Station on Pratamnak Hill where both locals and foreign tourists could be seen at the observation area overlooking Pattaya Bay decked out in scarves, heavy coats and sweatshirts.
Temps got all the way down to 17.2°C (63°F) in Pattaya Jan. 25.
Tourist Praset Piennimith said he couldn’t recall temperatures so low. The chills weren’t helped by periodic rain showers.
The cold weather came from a high-pressure system pushed over Thailand from China. The same system brought freezing temperatures to Thailand’s north and monsoonal storms to the south.
While Thais shivered, many locals relished in the cool temps, taking enjoyable walks outdoors without breaking a sweat for once. Others enjoyed getting to use clothes that hang in the closet for 50 weeks a year.
Those hoping for a period of cool weather for the traditional “winter” Pattaya long-timers remember were disappointed, however, as temps returned to 30C and above by last weekend.