Cool weather soothes tropical Thailand, could last until Feb

BANGKOK, January 19 ------ Tropical Thailand is experiencing an unusual stretch of cool weather that forecasters say could last until mid-February, leading many residents to dig out their sweaters and cardigans. 

Thursday morning's forecast showed areas all over Thailand were feeling cool, especially in the north. The Meteorological Department said temperatures in the north and northeast dropped as low as 8 to 9 degrees Celsius (46.4 to 48.2 degrees Fahrenheit), while on the mountains they hit 2 C. The past few weeks have been particularly enjoyable for many people in the capital Bangkok, where high temperatures in the summer can rise to 35 to 40 C. Thursday saw a slight rise in temperatures in the city, but the lows were still measured at 19 to 21 C. At a park in central Bangkok, many joggers were out early in the morning to enjoy the cooler temperatures and sweat-free exercise.  

German expatriate Thomas Singenberger, who has been living in Thailand for 10 years, said the weather made his morning run much more pleasant. "It's really nice and cold. So it's a good feeling to get up early," he said. "Even sleeping without AC (air conditioner) is really nice at the moment and to open the windows."  

The weather was even cooler earlier this week. On Monday, Bangkok's temperatures touched 15 C, which the weather department said was the lowest this year for the capital. Food vendor Ekkarak Kamtan, wearing a thick denim shirt over a T-shirt, said he didn't care for the chilly temperatures. "I've never felt so cold like this.... The hot weather's better," he said with a laugh. While temperatures could rise next week, the Meteorological Department said the cooler conditions were likely to linger until mid-February, especially in the north and northeast, and summer temperatures are expected to be milder than usual. This is due to the impact of La Niña, an occasional but natural cooling of the equatorial Pacific that also changes weather worldwide. The cool spell coincides with seasonal air pollution in Bangkok, which usually starts in October and lasts until February. Along with warm clothing, many people also donned face masks outdoors. 

Source: manilatimes.net