The wet season rice and main season maize were harvested by the end of October. Subsequently, the dry season rice and second season maize planting started at the beginning of November. Agro-climatic indicators show that rainfall (RAIN), temperature (TEMP) and radiation (RADPAR) were slightly above or near average (ΔRAIN +17%, ΔTEMP +1.0°C and ΔRADPAR +6%). They resulted in an increase in potential biomass (ΔBIOMSS +3%) compared with 15YA.

The NDVI clustering map shows the NDVI trends as compared to the 5YA. Only small departures were observed, mainly in the south of the country. The maximum vegetation condition index (VCI) indicates healthy crop conditions, ranging between 0.8 to 1.0. El Niño tends to bring warmer and drier conditions to Thailand. This resulted in lower storage of water in some dams, which may put irrigated rice production in the coming dry season at risk. Nevertheless, during this monitoring period, crop conditions in terms of crop production index (CPI) in Thailand were higher than the average of the previous five years (CPI = 1.03). Overall, crop conditions were 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 (ΔRAIN +33%, ΔRADPAR +8%, ΔTEMP +1.1 °C), which resulted in above-average biomass (ΔBIOMSS +7%). The NDVI development graph indicates that crop conditions remained slightly above the five-year average except in early October. Considering the favorable VCIx value of 0.91 and a CPI of 1.04, the crop condition is assessed as close to average.

According to agroclimatic indicators for the South-eastern horticulture area, rainfall, temperature and solar radiation were above average (ΔRAIN +20%, ΔTEMP +0.9 °C, ΔRADPAR +8%). This led to an above-average estimation for potential biomass accumulation (ΔBIOMSS +4%). According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were close to the 5-year average before January, and decreased to below average thereafter. The NDVI development graph as well as a VCIx of 0.93 and a CPI of 1.05, indicate average crop conditions.

Agroclimatic indicators show average conditions in the Western and southern hills: rainfall and radiation were above average (ΔRAIN +22%, ΔTEMP +0.8 °C, ΔRADPAR +4%), resulting in an increase in biomass (ΔBIOMSS +4%). Throughout the monitoring period, except for early October to early November, the crop conditions were below average. The VCIx was at 0.93 and CPI was 1.02. Overall, the crop conditions were near average.

Indicators for the Single-cropped rice north-eastern region show above-average radiation and temperature (ΔRADPAR +10%, ΔTEMP +1.1 °C), resulting in increased biomass accumulation potential (ΔBIOMSS +1%). As depicted in the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions were near average throughout the monitoring period except for mid-November. Considering the VCIx value of 0.91 and CPI of 1.03, the crop conditions were average. 

3.44 Thailand’s crop condition, October 2023 - January 2024

(a) Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI   

(c) Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                         (e) NDVI departure profiles

(f) Rainfall profiles 

 (g) Temperature profiles

(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)

(j) CPI Time Series graph

3.79 Thailand’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, October 2023 - January 2024

3.80 Thailand’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, October 2023 - January 2024