During this monitoring period, the main rice crop in Thailand is at its sowing stage, while the harvest of the country’s second rice crop was completed in June.

According to the agroclimatic indices, radiation (RADPAR, -3%) and temperature (TEMP, -1.1°C) were below average for the country, while accumulated rainfall (RAIN, +16%) was above. At the national level, crop condition was close to average, which is confirmed by a minor increase of BIOMSS by 6%. The NDVI development graph also shows that crop condition was slightly above average for the whole country. At the beginning of the monitoring period, crop condition in most of Thailand was close to average, but the condition in 62.6% of croplands deteriorated at the end of June and start of July, especially in the northeast of the single-cropped rice area. The VCIx map shows that crop condition was not very good in the central part of the Single-cropped rice area, in the Double and triple-cropped rice area, and in the north of the Mountain area. 

Regional analysis

For Thailand, regional analysis is provided for four areas: the Double and triple-cropped rice area, Mountain area, Horticulture area, and the Single-cropped rice area.

Double and triple-cropped rice area

The main crops in this area in the center of Thailand (labeled 109 on the VCIx and NDVI profile maps) are double and triple-cropped rice. In this area, rainfall was 30% over average, the largest departure in the country, while temperature (TEMP, -1.0°C) and radiation (RADPAR, -3%) were below average. Crop condition was close to average according to the NDVI development graph, which is confirmed by the increase in BIOMSS by 11%. The VCIx map shows some patches of not so favorable crops in the center of this region, including Phichit and Phitsanulok. Overall, the situation was close to average.

Mountain area

The mountain region (labeled 108 on the maps) covers the west, south, and north of the country. Rainfall (RAIN, +7%) was above average, but temperature (TEMP, -0.9°C) and radiation (RADPAR, -3%) were below, which is similar to the behavior observed nationwide. The NDVI development graph shows fair condition, which is consistent with the BIOMSS indicator (+6%). According to the NDVI profile map and VCIx map, crop condition was good in the south of Thailand. Overall the situation was close to the average.

Horticulture area

Unlike the country as a whole, the accumulated rainfall in this area in the east of Thailand (labeled 107) was average, while temperature (TEMP, -1.2°C) and radiation (RADPAR, -4%) were below average. The VCIx map, NDVI development graph, and BIOMSS indicators (-1%) all lead to the conclusion that crop condition was close to average. 

Single-cropped rice area

Single-cropped rice occurs in the northeast of Thailand (area 106 on the NDVI profile and VCIx maps). Comparable to the country as a whole, rainfall was above average (RAIN, +24%), with lower temperature (TEMP, -1.3°C) and radiation (RADPAR, -3%). BIOMSS (+4%) shows close to average values. Based on the VCIx map, crop condition was somewhat unfavorable in the center of this region, including the south of Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Khon kaen, and the north of Buriram, Surin, and Makhon Ratchasima. Altogether, the crop condition in the area is assessed as close to or possibly below average, but overall average. 

At the national level, most arable land in the country was cropped during the season and it had favorable VCIx values at 0.9 or above. Production of maize and rice is projected to undergo slight increases.

Figure 3.28a. Thailand phenology of major crops

Figure 3.28b. Thailand national level crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the April-July 2017 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

Figure 3.28c. Thailand maximum VCI for April-July 2017 by pixel

Figure 3.28d. Thailand spatial NDVI patterns up to July 2017 according to local cropping patterns and compared to the 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles (right)

Figure 3.28f.Double_triple-cropped rice area (Thailand) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.28g. Mountains area (Thailand)crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.28 h. Horticulture area (Thailand) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.28i. Single-cropped rice area (Thailand) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Table 70. April- July 2017 agro-climaticindicators by sub-national regions, current seasonvalues and departure from15YA

Table 71. April- July 2017 agronomicindicators by sub-national regions, current season valuesand departure from 5YA

 Table 72. CropWatch estimated maize,rice, wheat and soybean productionfor 2017 (thousands tons)