The Thai Meteorological Department has forecast cold and windy conditions across the country until Monday (Dec 25), with a drop in temperatures expected in the northern and northeastern regions.
According to the weather report for December 23–25, a cold front from China is set to cover the upper parts of Thailand, leading to a decrease in temperature by 1–2 degrees Celsius.
Mountainous areas in the North and Northeast will experience temperatures ranging from 2 °C to 10 °C and 5 °C to 13 °C, respectively. Heavy rainfall is predicted in the southern region’s lower part due to a strong northeastern monsoon wind in the Gulf of Thailand.
The forecast also includes more rain for provinces such as Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Trang, and Satun on Dec 24, with continued rainfall in some areas the next day.
Despite the cold snap, tourist interest in the northern and northeastern regions remains high, especially during weekends. Temperatures in some tourist destinations have fallen below 10 °C. In Loei province, Phu Rua National Park temperatures dropped to 5 °C, and Phu Kradueng saw a low of 6 °C.
Chiang Mai’s Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak, experienced temperatures of around 4 °C, with frost covering the mountaintop vegetation. Kiew Mae Pan, famous for its “sea of mist” view, attracted 3,566 visitors on Friday (Dec 22).
In a festive gesture, Khao Yai National Park announced free entrance on December 31 and January 1 as a New Year’s gift to the public. (NNT)
