The very hot weather in most of Thailand ended on May 5th, but some eastern and north-eastern provinces are still hot, with temperatures over 40oC for a bit longer, as stated by Associate Professor Dr. Seri Suparatit, CEO of Futuretales LAB and a member of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change.
In his Facebook post about “Climate Promise 2025”, Dr. Seri mentioned that the extremely hot weather across the entire country in April and early May has finished, but central and north-eastern provinces like Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Chainat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi-et, Kalasin, and Sa Kaew are still dealing with the heat.
However, he forecasted that there will be rain, averaging 10-20mm per day in some areas, particularly in the north-east, east and south, and temperatures will slowly decrease starting May 6th.
Dr. Seri mentioned that people across the country have been through unprecedented hot weather, which has had a significant impact on the economy, society, and the environment “like never before”.
He indicated that up to 40% of the durian yield this year might be damaged due to the heat, causing the fruit to ripen prematurely and not be sweet as a result. Additionally, 90% of coconut palms will not bear fruit, and vineyards will see as much as 70% of their fruit damaged.
Meanwhile, Somkuan Tonjan, chief of the central weather forecasting office in the Meteorological Department, mentioned that the extremely hot weather is finished, but there is a small possibility that the peak temperature could still reach 44oC or higher.
If there is rain or cloud cover, the temperature will not go over 36oC, he said, and the rain in Bangkok yesterday lowered the temperature from about 40oC to between 27oC and 30oC. He attributed the sudden change in weather to the arrival of a cold front from southern China and northern Vietnam.
He anticipates Thailand to start the rainy season by the end of this month.
