38 provinces set to be hit by heavy rain

An active low-pressure cell over the northern South China Sea has intensified into a tropical depression with maximum sustained wind speeds of about 55 km/hr, the department said.

From Thursday to Saturday, the southwest monsoon will intensify over the Andaman Sea, other parts of the country as well as the Gulf of Thailand, just as a monsoon trough lies across the upper North.

More rain is forecast across the country, with heavy to very heavy showers in some areas of the North, the Northeast, the Central region, the East and the South (west coast), the department said.

It warned people to beware of severe conditions that may cause overflows and flash floods.

It also advised all forms of transport to proceed with added caution and avoid passing areas experiencing thundershowers, while farmers should take action to protect their crops.

These will be the affected areas:

June 30

• North: Chiang Rai, Phayao and Nan.
• Northeast: Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan.
• East: Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.
• South: Ranong, Phang-nga and Phuket.

July 1

• North: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Lampang, Uttaradit, Tak, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.
• Northeast: Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lamphu, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani.
• Central: Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi.
• East: Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.
• South: Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket and Krabi.

July 2

• North: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Tak, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.
• Northeast: Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lamphu, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani.
• Central: Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi.
• East: Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.
• South: Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket and Krabi.

Coastal winds will also be stronger.

In the Andaman Sea, winds will whip up 2-metre-high waves and more than 2 metres in areas with thundershowers.

The upper gulf will see waves of around 1-2 metres high and 2 metres in areas experiencing thundershowers.

All ships are warned to proceed with caution and keep away from areas with thundershowers.

The department said the public could follow warnings and up-to-date information via the website http://www.tmd.go.th, or call 0-2399-4012-13 or hotline1182.