Thailand is bracing for cooler weather, with temperatures in the upper North, Northeast and Central regions forecast to fall by 2-4C until Jan 9.
The Meteorological Department said cold air masses from China are sweeping across the country, bringing a marked drop in temperatures. Northern provinces are expected to turn cold, with minimum temperatures falling to 11C, while mountaintop readings could dip as low as 2C.
Bangkok and its surrounding provinces, along with the Northeast and Central regions, will also experience noticeably cooler mornings. Temperatures in the city are expected to drop by 1-2C, ranging from 20C to 33C through to next Friday, driven by a second surge of high-pressure air from China.
In contrast, the South may experience thunderstorms until Monday due to a moderate northeast monsoon, with waves in the lower Gulf of Thailand rising to about 2 metres.
The colder weather has boosted tourism in high-altitude areas. Phu Ruea National Park recorded a morning low of 10C, with mist shrouding the mountains and drawing large crowds at dawn.