The harvest of the second rice was completed in May. Sowing of maize had started in April, following by planting of rice starting in May. According to the agroclimatic indicators, Thailand experienced drier and hotter than usual weather in this monitoring period with below-average rainfall (RAIN -8%), above-average temperature (TEMP +1.5°C), as well as average sunshine (RADPAR 0%). All these indicators led to below-average biomass (BIOMSS -8%). The proportion of irrigated cropland in Thailand is 22.5%, and therefore, regular rainfall is vital to sustain crop growth.

The NDVI development graph shows that crop conditions remained noticeably below-average over the entire monitoring period, except for late June. This was mainly due to a combination of factors: a period of hot and dry weather preceding in April, followed by flooding, resulting in an overall deviation in crop conditions. Subsequently, crop conditions briefly improved but remained below-average due to temperatures and rainfall approaching normal and above levels. According to the NDVI departure clustering map, 39.6% of cropland consistently remained below-average conditions, but a slight upward trend emerged after mid-May, which reversed in early-July, primarily in central and western areas.  Around 36.5% of the cropped area, primarily located in central, southern, and eastern parts, was slightly above-average in mid July, while it remained below-average during April to June. About 14.8% of cropland stayed below-average but experienced a sharp drop in June. This condition was widespread over most of Thailand, with a concentration in the northeastern region, where most rice production is rainfed.  In contrast, rice yields in the northern and central regions were less affected by the drier than usual weather, because most rice fields in these areas are irrigated and benefit from reservoir water. For the remaining 9.2% areas in the western part of Thailand, a sharp decline was observed in mid April, and remained below-average by the end of this monitoring period.

At the national level, almost all arable land was cropped during the season (CALF +98%). VCIx values were around 0.82. The Crop Production Index (CPI) in Thailand is 0.89, which is significantly lower than 0.98 during the same period in previous years. The rainfall deficit in April negatively affected crop growth in subsequent months, but conditions improved to near average by the end of this monitoring period.

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). 

Compared to the 15YA, the Central double and triple-cropped rice lowlands experienced hot and rainy conditions. Radiation (RADPAR +2%) was significantly above average, accompanied by higher temperature (TEMP +1.5°C) and rainfall (RAIN +4%). However, excessively high temperature led to a below-average estimate for BIOMSS (BIOMSS -6%). The NDVI development graph indicates that crop conditions remained below the five-year average except for late June. There was a significant decline in mid July due to the impact of flooding. VCIx was 0.81 and the CPI was 0.94. Overall, crop conditions were below average.

Indicators for the Southeastern horticulture area show that temperature (TEMP +1.0°C) was above-average accompanied by lower rainfall (RAIN -2%) and radiation (RADPAR -2%). This led to a below-average estimate for BIOMSS (BIOMSS -9%). According to the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions were mostly below average during this monitoring period. The VCIx was at 0.85 and the CPI was 0.90. All in all, the conditions were unfavorable.

Agroclimatic indicators show that the conditions in the Western and Southern Hills were below average: temperature (TEMP +1.4°C) was above average, while the radiation (RADPAR -3%) and rainfall (RAIN, -13%) were below average. These weather conditions led to a 9% decrease in biomass (BIOMSS -9%). According to the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions were close to average after June, but prior to that, they consistently remained significantly below-average. The VCIx was at 0.86 and the CPI was 0.92. Thus, conditions are assessed as below average.

In the Single-cropped rice north-eastern region, the radiation (RADPAR +3%) and temperature (TEMP +1.8°C) were above average, while the rainfall (RAIN, -6%) was below average. All these agroclimatic indicators led to a decrease in potential biomass (BIOMSS -8%). According to the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions remained below average. Considering the moderate VCIx value of 0.80 and the CPI was 0.86, the crop conditions were below average.

Figure 3.40 Thailand's crop condition, crop calendar from April-July 2024

(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)

(j) CPI Time Series graph

Table 3.70 Thailand's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, April - July 2024

Table 3.71 Thailand's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, April - July 2024