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Authors: jatuporn,Wangyixuan | Edit: lirui
From July to October 2024, the main rice and maize crops were grown in Thailand. According to the agroclimatic indicators, Thailand experienced drier and slightly hotter than normal condition during the monitoring period, with slightly below-average rainfall (RAIN -2%), above-average temperature (TEMP +0.7°C) and above-average of sunshine (RADPAR 5%). All of these indicators led to an above-average biomass estimate (BIOMSS 3%). The NDVI development graph reveals that crop conditions stayed close to the 5-year average throughout the entire monitoring period, except for July, when NDVI declined noticeably. This drop was largely due to prolonged rains at the onset of the wet season and subsequent flooding in some provinces during August and September, which directly impacted crop yields. However, crop conditions briefly improved, exceeding the average as temperatures and rainfall normalized and, in some cases, surpassed average levels.
The NDVI departure clustering map shows that 38.5% of cropland consistently exhibited below-average conditions, though a slight upward trend was observed after mid-July. This improvement reversed in early August, primarily in the central and western areas. Most cropland in the central, southern, and eastern regions showed slightly above-average conditions in mid-July but fell below average during August and September. Approximately 37.5% of cropland, concentrated in the northeastern region, initially displayed above-average NDVI values in August but experienced a sharp decline until mid-September. In this region, rice yields were significantly affected by increased precipitation following planting, which was favorable for growth. Meanwhile, the northern and central regions saw improved rice yields, though prolonged rains and weed issues in the central region posed challenges. For the remaining 9.2% of cropland in the western part of Thailand, NDVI showed a sharp decline in mid-July but rebounded to above-average levels by the end of the monitoring period.
At the national level, almost all arable land was cultivated during the season (CALF +100%), and the Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) were around about 0.94. The Crop Production Index (CPI) in Thailand is 1.00, which is slightly higher than 0.99 during the same period in previous years. Therefore, CropWatch estimates that the 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).
Compared to the 15YA, the Central double and triple-cropped rice lowlands experienced hot and rainy conditions, with significantly above-average radiation (RADPAR +8%), temperature (TEMP +0.9°C) and rainfall (RAIN +2%). These favorable agroclimatic conditions contributed to an above-average biomass (BIOMSS +4%). The NDVI development graph shows near average crop conditions throughout the season. The VCIx was 0.93 and the CPI was 1.00. Overall, crop conditions were average.
Indicators for the Southeastern horticulture area show that temperature (TEMP +0.6°C), rainfall (RAIN +16%) and radiation (RADPAR +6%) were above-average. This led to an above-average estimate for biomass (BIOMSS +4%). The NDVI development graph indicates that crop conditions were mostly above average throughout the monitoring period. The VCIx was at 0.93 and the CPI was 0.99, suggesting favorable crop conditions overall.
Agroclimatic indicators show that the conditions in the Western and Southern Hills were above average for all agroclimatic factors, including temperature (TEMP +0.7°C), radiation (RADPAR +2%), and rainfall (RAIN +1%). These conditions led to a 2% increase in biomass (BIOMSS +2%). According to the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions were close to average after August. The VCIx was at 0.94 and the CPI was 0.99. Thus, conditions are assessed as above average.
In the Single-cropped rice north-eastern region, the radiation (RADPAR +9%) and temperature (TEMP +0.7°C) were above average, while the rainfall (RAIN, -11%) was below average. The combination of these factors led to an above-average biomass (BIOMSS +3%). The NDVI development graph indicates crop conditions were generally aligned with the 5-year average, except for a higher NDVI in August. The VCIx was 0.95 and the CPI was 1.00. Overall, crop conditions were slightly above average.
Table 3.1 Thailand's agro-climatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July‐October 2024
Region | RAIN | TEMP | RADPAR | BIOMSS | ||||
Current | Departure | Current | Departure | Current | Departure | Current | Departure | |
Central double and triple-cropped rice lowlands | 1210 | 2 | 26.3 | 0.9 | 1177 | 8 | 1572 | 4 |
South-eastern horticulture area | 1627 | 16 | 26.3 | 0.6 | 1197 | 6 | 1649 | 4 |
Western and southern hill areas | 1121 | 1 | 25.0 | 0.7 | 1147 | 2 | 1480 | 2 |
Single-cropped rice north-eastern region | 1206 | -11 | 26.0 | 0.7 | 1208 | 9 | 1591 | 3 |
Table 3.2 Thailand's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departures from 5YA, July‐October 2024
Region | CALF | CI | Maximum VCI | CPI | ||
Current(%) | Departure from 5YA(%) | Current(%) | Departure from 5YA(%) | Current | Current | |
Central double and triple-cropped rice lowlands | 100 | -0 | 149 | 4.49 | 0.93 | 1.00 |
South-eastern horticulture area | 99 | 0 | 141 | 7.14 | 0.93 | 0.99 |
Western and southern hill areas | 100 | 0 | 126 | -3.52 | 0.94 | 0.99 |
Single-cropped rice north-eastern region | 100 | -0 | 128 | 0.95 | 0.95 | 1.00 |