Shivering schoolchildren are using campfires to stay warm during a cold snap in northern Thailand.

Footage from Chiang Rai province this morning (Jan 14) shows the youngsters in their jackets huddled around the fire as temperatures plunged to just three degrees Celcius.

It was so cold that the pupils were unable to study in their classrooms – which don’t have central heating – and teachers had to make bonfires in the playground to resume classes.

Thailand’s Meteorological Department warned that temperatures will remain in the single digits until around January 18.

Meteorologist Seree Supratid, director of the Climate Change & Disaster Center said the was cool temperatures were caused by a high-pressure system from China. The La Nina phenomenon – where sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific are lower than normal – was also contributing to the cold, she said.