The coldest temperature Bangkok ever recorded was 10.5 C back in the 1950’s. It has been cold here the entire month of December. With low temperatures running between 15 and 17 in Bangkok over night for the past few nights – it has not felt like a normal Thai winter. At our village in Eastern Thailand we have had to pull out the sweaters and warm blankets for the evening. Normally this time of year it cools off at night and by 10am the next morning it warms up quite nicely. With a breeze it has been staying remarkably cool all day.
I’ve been coming to Thailand, usually at least twice a year since 1996 and this is the first year I can remember sitting in our truck in the early afternoon this time of year, with the windows cracked and feeling a refreshing breeze blowing through – normally we have the air conditioning cranked up, yet we are still sweating!
This year our diet has consisted of mostly leaves and rice. We are climbing trees to harvest the youngest shoots – one particular tree produces both edible leaves and flowers. We have small leaves, large leaves, bitter ones, tasteless ones and all colors. The bitter ones are tamed best with salty fish and accompanying sauce.
Ok must cut this short; we have a pigeon infestation in all crooks and crannies of our metal roof overhangs, so I need to go help climb up the tall bamboo ladder to locate the nests and move them elsewhere – and install protective thorny plants as coverings. In the early morning it sounds like a racetrack overhead with so many feet scratching as they run across the roof back and forth. And I thought the calls of chickens at 430am was bad!
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- Edible greens growing wild in damp earth near pond
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- After harvesting a basket of fresh edible flowers. We will steam these and eat with rice
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- This tree produces both edible leaves and flowers
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- Pakached – these grow in water
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- In Thai, this sour fruit is known as Mayom
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- Green bug found wandering near our house
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- A “wall” frog has taken up residence inside our home
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- One of our many pineapple we are growing
Interesting. I never would have thought of Thailand as cold, but my definition of cold has changed. Right now on a rainy afternoon in Bali, I am ready for a nap and a blanket, and if I could light a fire I would be thrilled. My phone says it is 30, but I swear it is colder!
Amber – the northern part of the country in the hills near Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai actually can get quite nippy at night during some winters. However in this part of Eastern Thailand and Bangkok it was rare to have sustained “cold” for this region – which lasted most of December this past year. No rain here – although we are heading to Phuket area today and supposed to be some rain down there for the next few days. Ubud is a place one could easily whittle away the months 🙂 Enjoy!
Let’s travel to Thailand and enjoy the cold temperature . I love Thai food! 🙂
Angela – it has finally warmed up nicely – currently in the south part of the country where it is quite hot and humid 🙂 Not complaining at all though!
It’s surprised to me, I never expected a tropical country would be so cold. Useful information for every traveler
Yes, and in the north it is especially cold this year – although the north can get cold every winter. Parts of Vietnam sometime get snow (rare) including the mountain provinces of Lao Cai and Ha Giang
Hey Dave
I’m wanting to purchase a mayom plant to plant here in the states but can’t find a place that will ship it to me. If you know anyone or can help me I would appreciate it! Oh n keep warm it does get cold there!
Making me miss Thailand mate!
WOW amazing post thanks for sharing this with us mam