Colder weather expected this week in Thailand

BANGKOK, December 16 (TNA) - The Meteorological Department has predicted that temperatures in Thailand, especially those in the northern and northeastern regions, should drop by 8-10 degrees Celsius this week, caused by downpours brought by the westerly wind from Myanmar and a high-pressure mass from China. The Meteorological Department's lower northeastern center, warned people on Monday of impacts from downpours, measured 57.8 millimeters in the country's Lower Northeast since December 15, and the westerly wind from Myanmar, saying that from December 17-21, a strong high-pressure trough from China could also cover the upper part of Thailand and cause temperatures to further drop by 8-10 degrees Celsius to 13-29 degrees Celsius. According to the Meteorological Department's lower northeastern center, mountaintop temperatures could also fall to 4-6 degrees Celsius; so, children and the elderly are advised to wear winter gear to keep themselves warm. Thiwa Phanmaisee, chief of the meteorological station in Lampang, said, meanwhile, that downpours have been measured about 23 millimeters in the northern province since December 15 and have quickly lowered local temperatures by 2-3 degrees Celsius; while the lower temperatures in plain areas in Lampang were measured 15.2 degrees Celsius in Hang Chat District. Thiwa reported that the westerly wind has passed through Thailand's northern and reached Laos and the upper northeastern regions, bringing the cold and extremely cold weather to have blanketed the Thai North consequently, while another strong high-pressure mass from China should further reduce temperatures in the Thai North by 8-10 degrees Celsius from December 16-19. In Chiang Rai Province, temperatures in plain areas stood at 14 degrees Celsius at Chiang Rai International Airport in Muang District on Monday morning, a drop by 7 degrees Celsius from Sunday, while mountaintop temperatures were lower than 10 degrees Celsius. (TNA)