CHIANG MAI — Cold weather continued at Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand’s highest peak, with temperatures dropping to 3 degrees Celsius at the summit and below freezing at ground level, officials said.
Grass-top temperatures fell to minus 0.4 degrees Celsius and as low as -2.2°C in some areas, creating widespread frost, known locally as mae khab. The phenomenon occurred for the 25th time this winter, park authorities said.
At 9 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2026, Doi Inthanon National Park chief Jeeranit Cheungsard reported that cold conditions persisted across the mountain. Temperatures measured 3 degrees at the summit, 4 degrees at Kew Mae Pan nature trail and 9 degrees at the park headquarters.
Frost was observed in several locations, including near ranger units, where visitors were able to see and photograph the icy formations. Tourists also enjoyed sunrise views above a sea of mist and explored natural attractions throughout the park. Officials said staff were deployed at key sites to assist and advise visitors.
Tourism remained strong during the New Year holiday. On Jan. 1, 2026, the park recorded 9,043 visitors, including about 8,000 Thai tourists and 1,043 foreign visitors, with 3,373 vehicles entering the area.
Doi Inthanon ranked first among the five most visited national parks in Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces on that day. It was followed by Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park in Fang district with 5,118 visitors, Sri Lanna National Park with 3,774, Bua Tong Waterfalls with 3,503 and Doi Suthep–Pui National Park with 3,417 visitors.
The Northern Meteorological Centre in Chiang Mai said cool to cold weather would continue across northern Thailand, with morning fog and temperatures expected to drop by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius.
Forecaster Noppaphan Ritmahan said a new moderate to strong high-pressure system from China had spread across northern Vietnam and Laos and was expected to cover upper Thailand and the South China Sea on Jan. 2.
Residents were advised to take care of their health due to colder conditions and to exercise caution when travelling in foggy areas.
In Chiang Mai province, temperatures were forecast to range from 17 to 31 degrees Celsius, while mountain areas were expected to see cold to very cold conditions, with lows of 4 to 9 degrees Celsius. Easterly winds were forecast at speeds of 10 to 20 kilometres per hour.
