Cold spell continues in northern Thailand

BANGKOK, December 25 (TNA) - A cold spell that has swept Thailand’s northern region has brought both troubles and benefits to the country’s northern provinces. Over 200,000 villagers in Ya-so-thon province have continued suffering from the cold weather as they lack warm clothes and blankets. They have to build fires to keep themselves warm and safe. In Lamp-hun province, the number of cold-stricken districts has climbed from two to five with temperatures falling below 15 degrees Celsius in some areas. Local people are also lack of winter clothing. However, in Udon Thani province, the cold weather has drawn crowds of Thai and foreign tourists to Doi Phufoilom mountain in Nong Saeng district, where a winter flower festival is held. Visitors were seen wandering around and viewed winter flowers and took pictures of the blooming flowers, especially tulip. In Tak province’s Mae Sot district, local authorities have renovated the Mae Ka-sa hot spring in a bid to attract mass tourism during the winter season. With its water temperature of 75 degrees Celsius, boiling eggs in the hot spring pool is popular among tourists. Meanwhile, powerful waves hit several districts of Thailand’s central Prachuap Khiri Khan province Sunday, destroying local houses, and damaging several kilometers of coastlines. But there have been no reports of casualties and injuries. The 2-3 metre high waves were caused by the northeastern monsoon that is sweeping across the South and the Gulf of Thailand. It also brings heavy rains in the regions. Fishermen have been warned to keep their boats way from sea to prevent damages. (TNA)