This monitoring period covers most of the growth cycle of main rice and the harvest of maize. According to CropWatch agroclimatic indicators, Thailand experienced wetter and warmer weather as compared to the 15YA. The rainfall (RAIN, +11%), temperature (TEM, +0.2°C), and radiation (RADPAR, +5%) from July to October were above average resulting in an above-average biomass production potential (BIOMSS, +4%). According to its profile, the temperature was around average but reached a 15-year maximum at the end of July and September. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were close to average before September but were below average after that. The decrease of NDVI at the end of August may have been mainly due to cloud cover in the satellite images.

According to the NDVI departure clusters and the corresponding profiles, crop conditions were close to average on 73.5% of total arable land, located in all regions of Thailand. In an area accounting for 11.5% of total cropped area, crop conditions were close to average but deteriorated to below average after August. Crop conditions on 15.1% of total cropland were below average throughout this monitoring period, mostly located in Prachuap Khilikhan, Chumphon, and Krabi. In general,   favorable conditions for crops were observed during the July to October period as indicated by high VCIx values at 0.95. Considering the average CALF and below-average crop intensity (Cropping Intensity, -8%), the crop conditions during this season are assessed as close to the average level.

Regional analysis

The regional analysis below focuses on some of the already mentioned agro-ecological zones of Thailand, which are mostly defined by the rice cultivation typology. Agro-ecological zones include Central double and triple-cropped rice lowlands (115), South-eastern horticulture area (116), the Single-cropped rice north-eastern region (118), and Western and southern hill areas (117). Among these regions, the first three of them are major agricultural production regions of Thailand.

The Central double and triple-cropped rice lowlands is the major rice production zone of Thailand. It had received plenty of rainfall during this period. Rainfall was above average (RAIN, +34%), accompanied by average temperature (TEMP, 0.0°C) and slightly above-average radiation (RADPAR, +5%). As a result, above-average weather conditions resulted in an increase of potential production (BIOMSS, +9%). The NDVI development graph shows that crop conditions started to drop below average in September when the crops were approaching maturity.

The agro-climatic conditions in the South-eastern horticulture area were the same as in the Central region: Rainfall was above average (RAIN, +34%), accompanied with close-to-average radiation (RADPAR, +1%). The temperature was close to average (TEMP, +0.0℃). This agro-climatic condition led to a slight increase of potential production (BIOMSS, +5%). According to the NDVI development graph, the crop condition is close to the average of the recent 5 years after removing the effect of cloud contamination in the satellite images. 

In the Single-cropped rice north-eastern region, precipitation was above average by 14%, while temperature and radiation were above average by 0.1℃ and 7%, respectively. These agro-climatic conditions led to an increase of BIOMSS by 7%. As a result, crop conditions were above average before September but dropped to slightly below average thereafter, according to the NDVI development graph.

For each region, the VCIx ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 indicates that the peak season was comparable to the 5YA. Almost all cropland was cultivated during the monitoring period.

Figure 3.39 Thailand's crop condition, crop calendar from July-October 2021

a) Crop phenology map of major crops

b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI c) Maximum VCI

d) Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles

f) Rainfall profile                                               g) Temperature profile 

h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI in the double and triple-cropped rice lowlands (left) and single-cropped rice North-eastern region (right) 

i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI in the South-eastern horticulture area (left) and Western and southern hill areas (right)

Table 3.69 Thailand's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, July - October  2021

Table 3.70 Thailand's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, July - October 2021