This monitoring period covers most of the growth cycle of main rice and the harvest of maize in Thailand. According to the agroclimatic indicators, Thailand experienced wetter and warmer weather in this monitoring period with above-average rainfall (RAIN +12%), radiation (RADPAR +9%), and temperature (TEMP +0.8°C) from July to October. All these indicators led to a favorable biomass (BIOMSS +5%). 

The NDVI development graph shows that the crop conditions remained near average over the entire monitoring period. From early August to late September, the NDVI showed sharp drops due to cloud cover in the satellite images and flooding conditions. The temperature was generally above average, exceeding a 15-year maximum in late August and mid-October. The rainfall was obviously higher than average throughout the whole monitoring period except for mid-August and mid-October, steadily increasing and peaking in mid-September, surpassing the maximum observed over the 15-year average.

According to the NDVI departure clustering map, 39.2% exhibited a slightly below-average trend before October and recovered to slightly above average by late October, located in the central and some cultivated areas in the southern and central regions. In the southern parts of these areas, crop conditions were minimally affected due to the late onset of the floods. In an area accounting for 18.8% of the total cropped area, mostly located in central and eastern parts, crop conditions were close to average but deteriorated significantly to below average in early August and early September, presumably due to cloud cover in the satellite images. Similar sharp drops in early August and late September were observed for 13.5% of the cropped area. Those areas, predominantly located in the eastern part of Thailand, were hit by the cyclone, resulting in flooding and crop losses. For the remaining 28.5%, located in the central and northern part of Thailand, a sharp negative departure was observed in early August, and then reached average levels by the end of this monitoring period.

At the national level, all arable land was cropped during the season (CALF 100%) with below-average crop intensity (CI -5%), but favorable VCIx values of around 0.93. The Crop Production Index (CPI) in Thailand is 0.99. CropWatch estimates that the overall crop conditions were close to average.

Regional analysis

The regional analysis below focuses on the major 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 (187), the South-eastern horticulture area (188), the Western and southern hill areas (189), and the Single-cropped rice north-eastern region (190). 

For the Central double and triple-cropped rice lowlands, the agroclimatic indicators show that the rainfall, radiation, and temperature were above average (RAIN +26%, RADPAR +13%, TEMP +0.8°C), which resulted in above-average biomass (BIOMSS +8%). The NDVI development graph indicates that crop conditions remained below the five-year average throughout the monitoring period. There were significant declines in NDVI observed in early August and early September due to the impact of flooding. Subsequently, there was a gradual recovery to near-average levels. Considering the favorable VCIx value of 0.92, the crop condition is assessed as slightly below average.

According to agroclimatic indicators for the South-eastern horticulture area, temperature and rainfall were above average (TEMP +0.7°C, RAIN +7%), while solar radiation was slightly below average (RADPAR -3%). This led to an above-average estimation for potential biomass accumulation (BIOMSS +2%). According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were close to the 5-year average in July, and recovered back to near average in October. There were significant declines in NDVI observed in early August and late September, attributable to cloud cover. The NDVI development graph as well as a VCIx of 0.93, indicate average crop conditions.

Agroclimatic indicators show average conditions in the Western and southern hills: rainfall and radiation were above average (RAIN +10%, RADPAR +4%), and the temperature was slightly above average (TEMP +0.6°C), resulting in an increase in biomass (BIOMSS +4%). Throughout the monitoring period, except for mid August and late October, the crop conditions were below average. However, cloud cover in the satellite images may have severely affected the NDVI values in this cloudy region. The VCIx was at 0.93. Overall, after adjusting for the cloud cover impacts, the crop conditions were near average.

Indicators for the Single-cropped rice north-eastern region show above-average rainfall, radiation, and temperature (RAIN +12%, RADPAR +9%, TEMP +0.8°C), resulting in increased biomass accumulation potential (BIOMSS +6%). As depicted in the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions were near average in late August and late October. Throughout the remaining monitoring period, the imagery was consistently influenced by cloud cover. Considering the satisfactory VCIx value of 0.93, the crop conditions were average. 

Figure 3.40 Thailand's crop condition, crop calendar from July-October 2023

(a) Crop phenology map of major crops

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

(d) Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles (e) 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 3.70 Thailand's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, July - October 2023

Table 3.71 Thailand's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, July - October 2023