BANGKOK, THAILAND – A brief burst of cool air brought Thailand a fresh weekend before forecasters warned that temperatures would rise again from Monday.
Short cool spell from southern China
Cool air flowing from southern China into Thailand was only a short interlude, according to the Meteorological Department (TMD).
“This cool weather will only be of short duration. Temperatures will start to rise again from 26 January,”
said Phanthipha Leenalat, a senior meteorologist, on radio. The cold front initially pushed temperatures down by about 1–2 degrees Celsius across all regions, with the impact felt most strongly in the north and northeast.
Chilly morning lows in the north
On Friday morning the thermometer in Mae Sariang, in Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand, showed a chilly 13 degrees Celsius, the lowest reading in the lowlands. It was even colder on the mountain peaks, where the cool spell was most noticeable during the night. For people tired of the tropical heat, the conditions offered an ideal weekend for outdoor activities.
Mild mornings in Bangkok
In the capital region of Bangkok, residents enjoyed comfortable temperatures. The TMD forecast values between 20 and 23 degrees Celsius for Saturday and Sunday. It was described as a good opportunity for a picnic in the park, a bike ride or simply opening windows without air conditioning, before the familiar “curtain” of warm air closed again.
Weather pattern already shifting
Forecasters said the broader weather pattern was already changing. The incoming cold air was being displaced by warmer air masses from the south. At the start of the new week, Thailand was expected to return to its typically tropical temperature levels, allowing jackets to go back into the closet.
Brief but welcome change
For many Thais, the short cool phase was a welcome change and was enjoyed despite its brevity. In northern Thailand, including Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, travellers and residents were advised to pack a light jacket for nighttime and early morning. During the day the sun usually shone, making it pleasantly warm, with large differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures now characteristic.
Outlook for the coming week
People were urged to make the most of this unusual weather phenomenon while it lasted, as the following week would again call for sun protection and plenty of water. From Monday, 26 January, the thermometer was expected to climb steadily back into the upper 20s and low 30s Celsius. The muggy heat for which Thailand is known was forecast to return, with the cool breeze remaining only a pleasant memory.