Warning of heavy downpours issued for lower Thai South

BANGKOK, December 29 (TNA) - Thailand's southern meteorological centre for east-coast on Saturday issued an updated warning of heavy downpours, strong wind and high waves offshores for people in the region, from Chumphon province downward, during the ongoing New Year festivity. The centre said a high pressure and cold air mass from China have reached Vietnam and is approaching Thailand's lower southern areas, along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, which will cause a strengthening northeastly monsoon with more downpours, heavy ones in some affected areas. According to the centre, more rainfalls with strong wind and waves as high as 2-4 metres are, therefore, forecast from December 31, 2012-January 2, 2013 in the eastern coastal zones of the Thai South, recommending trawlers and other ships in the areas to proceed with caution and small boats, in particular, not to go offshores during the period. (TNA)