Cool season blows in

The department's Weather Forecast Bureau director Somchai Baimoung said yesterday that the cool season had begun in Thailand after the temperature dropped an average two to five degrees Celsius across the country.

He said the high-pressure system over upper Thailand and the temperature drop caused breezy conditions in Bangkok while the tail-end of Typhoon Mirinae produced the cloudy skies.

"People will enjoy cool weather for a few days before the temperature climbs again then dips to its lowest level in December," Somchai added.

Coldest spot

"The country's coldest spot yesterday was the summit of Doi Inthanon in Chiang Ma, where a temperature of 6.5 degrees was recorded."

However, Somchai expects this cool season to be a little warmer than last year's.

"The season will be shorter because of the warming influence of the El Nino phenomenon, which has taken over from the cooling phase of La Nina - the cause of last year's cold and rainy weather."

Weather warning

The department issued a warning of more rain and strong winds coupled with high waves in the southern coastal areas of the Gulf of Thailand. All ships should proceed with caution, and small boats keep ashore during the next three to four days.