Emergency declared in Uttaradit as cold wave hits northern Thai provinces

Uttaradit governor Thawatchai Fangangkul said the current cold wave is the worst in ten years with average temperatures at 6-8 degrees Celcius. The province declared nine districts the cold spell disaster zones to seek budget to help villagers.

Meanwhile, the disaster prevention and response center in Chiang Mai province further north on Thursday began distributing winter clothing and blankets in 14 districts.

Prajon Pratsakul, an official of Chiang Mai's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre said the temperature in the province has hovered around 11 degrees Celcius for two days and the minimum temperature on local mountaintops was recorded at two degrees Celcius, the lowest in the past year.

The office was given a budget of Bt26 million to provide 70,000 blankets and 40,000 winter jackets for local residents. It earlier distributed 291,114 winter items to help 64 per cent of locals affected by the cold spell.

The unusual cold weather can cause illness related to respiratory system and blood circulation particularly the elderly, said Asst.Prof. Dr. Wattana Nawacharoen, director of Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital.