Cold snap sends mercury tumbling

Bangkok is to get even colder with temperatures expected to dive to 13°C from tomorrow as the cold spell from China continues to hit upper Thailand until Monday.

Yesterday’s announcement by the Meteorology Department came after Bangkokians began dusting off their jackets on Wednesday, when they finally began to really feel the long-awaited cool weather.

The Meteorology Department says temperatures will be around 13°C to 18°C in the capital, neighbouring provinces and along the eastern coast from tomorrow to Monday.

“Even in the same province, temperatures can vary depending on elevation and area,” department chief Group Capt Somsak Khaosuwan said yesterday.

Suburban Bangkok which has more green areas tends to have lower temperatures than in the inner city, he said.

As for provinces north of the capital, from the Central Plains to the North and North East, they will encounter more winter-like weather, according to the department.

In the northern and northeastern regions, temperatures could drop to between 6°C and 12°C over the next few days. On mountains, the weather could drop to almost freezing at 1°C.

Phetchabun’s Lom Kao district experienced one-digit degree temperatures yesterday as the mercury on top of Phu Thap Boek mountain fell to 7°C.

“It reached the coldest point at 6.40am,” tourist vehicle driver Anusit Buniam said.

Temperatures have plummeted there over the past two days, he noted. This, he said, will draw tourists to Phu Thap Boek and Khao Kho, another high elevation areas in the province.

Mr Anusit sees the pleasant weather over the weekend as an opportunity to make money from visitors, although there is one thing he does not like.

“More tourists means more traffic jams,” he said.

People in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen are also enjoying the cooler weather.

In downtown Khon Kaen, the weather is warmer than in Phu Thap Boek, with temperatures recorded at 12°C yesterday. This was enough to send villagers flocking to buy jackets at markets and shops to keep themselves warm.

Not all provinces will welcome the cooler climate. Colder weather is likely to trigger heavier rainfall in the far South leading to flooding, meteorologists warned.