Chiang Mai heads into cool season

28 Nov 2011

The temperature in Chiang Mai and its surrounding districts has been dropping steadily over the past week as it enters the cool season. While city temperatures are pleasant, the mountainous district around Doi Inthanon is expected to see lows of 7°C over the next few days.

Northern Meteorological Centre forecasters say that frost will be seen in many mountain areas, with high pressure from China to blame. In the lowland areas around Chiang Mai temperatures are expected to fall to 16°C at night this week.

The so called winter season is the best time to visit the northern Thai city as daytime temperatures usually average 30°C and only drop to around 18°C at night. There is also minimal rain and virtually no humidity from November through to mid-February.

Thai tourists traditionally head north at this time of year in a bid to escape Bangkok’s heat and humidity. The Thai capital’s heat never seems to lessen even in the cold season.

From now until the New Year holidays, roads to Doi Inthanon are normally crowded with sightseers heading for the unusual sight in a tropical country of frost on the ground and swirling fog.

This year will be even busier in Chiang Mai as the eagerly awaited Royal Flora Ratchaphruek botanical expo is due to open on 14 December. The last time the event was held over the 2006-2007 winter months, it pulled in almost four million visitors.

Tags: Chiang Mai cool season