THE ONSET AND WITHDRAWAL OF THE RAINY SEASON IN EASTERN THAILAND WITH REGARD TO THE FLOWERING OF MANGOSTEENS AND DURIANS

Abstract

In Eastern Thailand, the harvest cycle of mangosteens and durians begins sometime in December, after the end of the rainy season. The fruit plants are sensitive to moisture, and the farmers' main concern is whether their life cycles will begin soon enough to avoid the harmful effects of rain. The dry conditions in October yield an early flowering date, and wet conditions yield a late one. Using statistical analysis, we can infer the October weather condition from the onset date of the rainy season in May. Such knowledge enables a prediction model that allows fruit farmers to plan their crop strategically well ahead of time.

Keywords

• : monsoon
• onset
• withdrawal
• mongosteens
• durians