CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – Northern Thailand experienced a historic cold snap as temperatures on Doi Inthanon plunged to -4.9 degrees Celsius, while the south faced severe rain and coastal waves.
Record frost on Thailand’s highest peak
For the fifth consecutive day, frost covered the summit area of Doi Inthanon, but the latest morning brought a much thicker layer of ice as temperatures fell below zero. The thermometer at the peak showed -4.9°C, the lowest reading of the season. Other stations on the mountain also reported cold values: 3°C at a ranger station, 4°C at the Kiew Mae Pan viewpoint and 6°C near the national park headquarters.
Tourists flock to see rare “moei khab” frost
Despite the freezing conditions, crowds of tourists continued to travel up the mountain to witness the rare natural phenomenon known as “moei khab” (frost). Visitors were surprised to find completely ice-covered grasses and a visibly thicker ice layer compared with previous days. The park management warned of the persistent cold and advised tourists to wear warm clothing.
Cold air from China drives temperatures down
The Northern Thailand Meteorological Center confirmed that a cold air mass from China was moving further south and would cause an additional temperature drop of 1–2 degrees Celsius in northern provinces. Authorities urged residents to prepare for ongoing cold conditions and an increased risk of forest fires due to dry and windy weather. Summit temperatures were expected to range between 2°C and 10°C in the coming days.
Authorities warn cold wave may last until February
Authorities issued a clear warning about the duration and intensity of the weather pattern.
“This cold wave could be more severe than last year and continue until February.”
said unnamed authorities.
In lower-lying provinces such as Chiang Rai, Nan and Phayao, nighttime temperatures around 10°C were forecast. Thailand’s absolute cold record of -1.4°C, measured on 2 January 1974 in Sakon Nakhon away from high peaks, remained intact, but officials described the current cold period as unusually long and intense.
Weather chaos: north freezes, south floods
While the north shivered, southern Thailand faced a different set of hazards. The Meteorological Department warned of heavy rain in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat as the northeast monsoon pushed through. Coastal areas were expected to see waves of more than two metres in height, leaving Thailand to contend simultaneously with icy cold in the north and stormy downpours in the south—two sharply contrasting climate extremes across one country.