COLD SPELL HITS THAILAND

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- The cold spell which has hit Thailand has claimed at least three lives, with the temperature dropping to as low as two degree Celcius in the northern part of the country.

The Meteorological Department said the lowest temperature in the North
ranged from two to five degree and in the northeast, from two to seven degree.

In the Central Region, the lowest temperature is between 13 and 15 degree,
with Bangkok currently experiencing 14 to 16 degree, with the south, between 17
and 23 degree.

The department said the cold spell was due to the intense cold air blowing
from China.

Usually, Thailand experiences cold weather from November to February, with
temperatures dropping to as low as eight degree in the north and 18 degree in
the capital, but this year it has been unusually cold.

Bangkok Post reported that two men, aged 41 and 37, died in Lop Buri and
Chiang Rai, respectively, yesterday due to cold weather.

On Sunday, a monk died in Ayutthaya.

In Chiang Rai, provincial authorities have declared 18 districts as
cold-spell disaster zone and sought Bt50 million budget to buy blankets and warm
clothing for villages in affected areas.