NAKHON PHANOM, Jan 16 – A cold snap has hit much of northern and northeastern Thailand, leaving tens of thousands of people living in difficulty for lack of warm clothing, while many are suffering from respiratory and asthma problems, officials said.

They said the temperature in the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom bordering Laos dropped to between 10 and 14 degrees Celsius early Friday, affecting poor villagers, leading provincial authorities to declare the province a disaster zone.

Read more: MCOT