Market stall vendors warmed their hands above hot coals amid a recent cold spell in northern Thailand.

Merchants and consumers were bundled in thick clothing after a significant drop in temperatures in Chiang Mai on Sunday, January 12, following a decrease of around five degrees caused by a cold air mass from China.

In Mueang Chiang Mai district, morning temperatures ranged between 10-11 degrees Celsius (50-51.8°F) on January 13.

Footage shows an elderly shopkeeper using a brazier with hot coals, rubbing her hands above it to stay warm during the cold weather.

Retailers noted that food items such as soy milk, porridge, boiled rice, grilled sticky rice, and roasted sticky rice became the best-selling items.

There was also a surge in sales of second-hand beanies and other coal-resistant clothing, said distributors.

A resident mentioned that the province had experienced such cold temperatures before, but it had been over ten years since the weather had dropped below 10 degrees Celsius.

At Doi Inthanon, the temperature at the summit was 7 degrees Celsius (44.6°F), while at Kew Mae Pan Viewpoint, it dropped to 1 degree Celsius (33.8°F), and the grass minimum temperature reached -1.1 degrees Celsius (30°F).

Another video clip shows plants with fresh frost on them.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reported that the strong high-pressure system from China, which had been covering upper Thailand and the South China Sea, was weakening.

However, authorities forecasted another wave of cold weather from China to cover the region again on Thursday, with light morning fog expected in the upper country.

In the Northern region, cold to very cold conditions with morning light fog were anticipated, with minimum temperatures ranging from 8-14 degrees Celsius (46.4-57.2°F) and maximum temperatures between 25-29 degrees Celsius (77-84.2°F).

Mountaintops were expected to remain very cold, with isolated frost and minimum temperatures between 2-7 degrees Celsius (35.6-44.6°F).