LOEI, THAILAND – Unusually cold temperatures in the mountains of Loei province created striking winter scenes with frost and dense fog.
Frost at 3°C in Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
In the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary, temperatures dropped to just 3 degrees Celsius on the morning of 10 January 2026, the second consecutive day that frost known locally as “mae khaning” had formed. According to sanctuary staff, the cold and humidity were particularly noticeable around the Forest Protection Unit Khok Nok Kraba, where low temperatures and suitable moisture levels produced widespread frost on grasses and plants.
Red leaves and ice crystals echo Japanese-style scenery
Fine ice crystals on the deep red leaves of the local “kuam daeng” tree, often compared to a “Thai maple” because its foliage changes colour in the cool season, attracted special attention. Photos of the frost-covered red leaves spread quickly on social media, shared by visitors and photographers who said the scene resembled autumn-winter landscapes abroad.
“It looks like a mix of autumn colours and winter frost.”
said several visitors and photographers in posts accompanying their images, noting that the views recalled scenes more familiar from Japan.
Officials urge caution for high-altitude excursions
Sanctuary authorities urged caution in view of the cold, advising anyone planning a visit in the coming days to prepare for very low temperatures. They recommended warm winter clothing such as thick jackets, hats, gloves and socks, checking vehicles before travel, and assessing personal health, as it was significantly colder on the mountain and the air pressure was lower.
Staff members warned that conditions in higher terrain could quickly become exhausting for those unaccustomed to them, especially in the early morning hours when the cold was most intense.
Sea of fog at 7°C draws crowds to Phu Ruea
At the same time, the winter season in Phu Ruea National Park in Loei was in full swing, with 7 degrees Celsius recorded at the summit on the morning of 10 January. The well-known viewpoint was busy as many tourists arrived before dawn to enjoy the cool, clear air and reported jokingly that they could “see their breath” while posing for photos above a vast sea of fog.
The combination of rolling fog, green pine forests and seasonal flower fields quickly became a popular motif on social media. Many visitors stayed until the first rays of sunlight pierced the thin mist and, together with the chilly wind, created a distinctive winter moment on the mountaintop.
Advice for cold nights and crowded weekends
Park staff at Phu Ruea strongly advised guests not to underestimate the conditions at altitude, highlighting the need to bring thick, warm clothing such as jackets, gloves, socks and woollen hats. They also recommended getting enough sleep and rest before departure to avoid circulatory strain and reserving accommodation or camping spots in advance, as weekends could be particularly busy.
The persistently low temperatures in the mountainous north of Loei were regarded as an important driver of domestic tourism during the cool season. Authorities aimed to balance the appeal of the natural experience with safety and health precautions for visitors in the higher-lying areas, as winter images of red leaves, white frost crystals and visible breath in the morning continued to circulate widely online.
When Thailand suddenly looks like Japan
The sight of red leaves, white crystals and clouds of breath in the early hours, more commonly associated with Hokkaido than with northeastern Thailand, raised questions among observers. Some asked whether this was simply a rare natural spectacle or another indication of how extreme and unpredictable the weather had become in the region.
“Pure winter romance – or a foretaste of larger shifts in the climate?”
said commentary accompanying the reports, reflecting on the unusual wintry images from Loei.