On Monday morning, meteorologists measured the temperature at 20°C in the central Muang District of Chiang Mai City. This was a drop of 4°C on the morning before. Late monsoon rains have also played their part in keeping temperatures low.
A spokesperson for the public health office said that if people who catch colds don’t then try and keep warm they are susceptible to pneumonia. The statement continued by saying symptoms of pneumonia included wracking coughs, very high fevers, issues with breathing and yellow phlegm.
The statement advised people who thought they had pneumonia to contact a medical professional straight away. The cold in the northern mountains is dry and deceptive. 20°C does not sound low, but Thai houses, especially bamboo or wooden ones in locations like hilltribe villages, are not sealed to keep out the cold.
Cold and rain signal onset of winter in Northern Thailand
News in Asia
Public health authorities in Northern Thailand have issued a warning telling people to beware of the onset of the cold season. Chiang Mai’s Public Health Office says quite a lot of people with pneumonia and difficulties with breathing have been admitted to hospitals in the province over the past few days.