See the sun at its Bangkok overhead zenith April 27 at 12.16pm
Bangkokians would be able to see the sun at its highest position – 90 degrees above their heads where shadows will be at the minimum level possible – at 12.16pm on April 27, a senior official at the Science and Technology Ministry’s National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) said on Thursday.
That date, however might not be the hottest day of the year, due to various factors, said the official.
The sun has been at its zenith over Thailand since April 4, said Supareuk Kareuhanont, sub-division head of the NARIT astronomical academic service. That phenomenon was observed in Yala’s Betong district at 12.18pm on April 4. The sun continues to gradually move up until it can be observed overhead at the country’s northernmost tip in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district at 12.17pm on May 22.
When the sun is at its zenith, the affected area receives peak solar power. But that does not necessarily mean that the temperature would be at its highest, Supareuk said. Other factors, including rain, clouds, the monsoon influence and heat accumulation in the atmosphere, could affect the intensity.
Countries in the tropical zone of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, see the sun at near zenith two days each year at the most.
The sun won’t be at its zenith in Bangkok again until August 16 at 12.22pm.
