The period from January to April falls into the dry season in Thailand. It is the growing and harvest season for the second rice crop. Second maize, which are maize after planting wet season rice, are begin planting in April. According to the agroclimatic indicators, Thailand experienced dryer and hotter weather than usual in this monitoring period with below-average rainfall (RAIN -63%), above-average temperature and radiation (TEMP +1.7°C, RADPAR +3%). As a result of these indicators, a severe decrease in crop biomass production potential was estimated (BIOMSS -24%).

According to the NDVI departure cluster profiles, crop conditions were slightly above average on 23.5% of total arable land in the northeast, western, and central areas. However, crop conditions were generally below the 5-year average with a decreasing trend in the rest of the regions. The extreme heat and reduced rainfall during the growing and harvesting periods have severely stressed rice across most of the country, leading to poor crop conditions. The maximum vegetation condition index (VCI) indicates unfavorable crop conditions, ranging between 0.66 to 0.8. At the national level, the cropped arable land fraction was 4% below average (CALF 80%). VCIx values were around 0.73. Nevertheless, during this monitoring period, crop conditions in terms of crop production index (CPI) in Thailand were below the average of the previous five years (CPI = 0.83). CropWatch estimates that the crop conditions were poor.

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 temperature and radiation were above average (ΔTEMP +1.7 °C, ΔRADPAR +2%), while rainfall was below average (ΔRAIN -63%) which resulted in below-average biomass (ΔBIOMSS -17%). The NDVI development graph indicates that crop conditions remained slightly above the five-year average in January, then decreased to below average. Considering the favorable VCIx value of 0.78 and a CPI of 1.02, the crop condition is assessed as below average.

According to agroclimatic indicators for the South-eastern horticulture area, temperature and radiation were above average (ΔTEMP +1.3 °C, ΔRADPAR +3%), while rainfall was below average (ΔRAIN -51%). This led to a below-average estimation for potential biomass accumulation (ΔBIOMSS -22%). According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were below the 5-year average during the whole monitoring period. The NDVI development graph as well as a VCIx of 0.73 and a CPI of 0.83, indicate below-average crop conditions.

Agroclimatic indicators show below-average conditions in the Western and southern hills: temperature and radiation were above average (ΔTEMP +1.4 °C, ΔRADPAR +2%), while rainfall was below average (ΔRAIN -59%), resulting in a decrease in biomass (ΔBIOMSS -23%). Throughout the monitoring period, the crop conditions were below average. The VCIx was at 0.80 and the CPI was 0.90. Overall, the crop conditions were below average.

Indicators for the Single-cropped rice north-eastern region show above-average temperature and radiation (ΔTEMP +2.1 °C, ΔRADPAR +4%) and below-average rainfall (ΔRAIN -73%), resulting in decreased biomass accumulation potential (ΔBIOMSS -27%). As depicted in the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions were below average throughout the monitoring period except for early January. Considering the VCIx value of 0.66 and CPI of 0.71, the crop conditions were unfavorable. 

3.44 Thailand’s crop condition, January - April 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, January - April 2024

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