CHIANG MAI, Jan 12 — Another high-pressure system has blanketed Thailand, causing a cold spell in many provinces in the North and Northeast, with local residents suffering many respiratory illnesses.
All 25 districts of Chiang Mai province have been declared cold-stricken areas as local temperatures dropped below 15 degrees Celsius for more than three days.
The weather condition affects about two million people.
The lowest temperature measured six degrees in Mae Chaem and Galyani Vadhana districts.
Concerned authorities are distributing winter gear to affected people as weather forecasters predict temperatures dropping further by 4-6 degrees Celsius in upper Thailand from tomorrow through Friday.
In Khon Kaen province, the temperature measured 15 degrees Celsius this morning.
Some 200,000 people in 12 districts are affected. Government and private organizations are distributing about 20,000 blankets but residents say they need about 180,000 more.d
All nine Uttaradit districts have been declared cold emergency zones and nearly 80,000 people need winter gear.
In Phichit province, thunderstorms caused local temperatures to fall to 15-16 degrees Celsius before the weekend.
About 55,000 families in all 12 districts need winter gear.
In Sakhon Nakhon province, temperatures declined to about 14 degrees Celsius as rains continued for two days.
Local hospitals are treating more respiratory disease and asthma patients, especially children and the elderly. (MCOT online news)
