Another strong high pressure from China combined with westerly winds from Myanmar are forecast to dominate upper Thailand during Dec 27-31, causing temperatures to drop by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius, the Thai Meteorological Department said on Sunday.
The cooler weather leading up to the New Year holiday will be accompanied by strong winds and isolated thundershowers in the region between Tuesday and Saturday.
The department advises people in the upper part of the country to keep an eye on their health as the weather changes. It warns motorists to exercise extra caution while driving in thick fog.
The northeast monsoon across the South and the Gulf of Thailand will intensify with heavy rains in some areas. Waves in the Gulf of Thailand are expected to be 2-3 metres high. People living along the eastern coast of the southern region should be cautious about inshore waves.
All ships should proceed with caution and small ships are advised to stay ashore during the period.
The department predicts cold to very cold weather on mountain peaks in the northern region on Dec 27-31, with minimum temperatures likely to be between 2 and 10 degrees and frosts in some areas.
Roong Hirunwong, chief of the Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, said more holidaymakers had visited the country’s highest mountain on Christmas Day.
He said it was 7 degrees on the mountain top and 9 degrees at the Kiew Mae Parn scenic viewpoint on Sunday morning.