A Buddhist monk was found dead at a temple amid a cold weather snap in Thailand.

Sangwan Petchlom, 75, collapsed while resting alone at the Wat Koh Raet temple in Nakhon Pathom province.

Another monk who visited the temple called the police when he found Phra Sangwan shirtless and hunched over on the floor with blood on the tiles on the morning of December 22.

Police Captain Uthit Laoha of the Bang Len Police Station said they received a report at 7:22 am.

Officers inspected the scene and said they found no evidence of assault and believe the wound from when his head hit the ground. They believe Phra Sangwan had been dead for around a day before his body was found.

Phra Sangwan's remains were taken to the Bang Len Hospital for a post-mortem examination. His relatives have also been informed of his passing.

Temple monks said the deceased had been grappling with diabetes and high blood pressure, and believed the cold weather had exacerbated his illnesses.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said a strong high-pressure system was prevailing over northern Thailand and causing cold temperatures.

A further drop of 4 to 6 degrees Celsius in the north was forecast from December 20 to 25 as another cold front from China was expected to blow in.

Meanwhile, the capital Bangkok and its vicinity was predicted to experience temperature drops of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius.

The TMD said the period is expected to be the coldest so far during the holiday season in Thailand.