Officials say that at least two people have died of exposure in the north of the tropical country, where the mercury in some neighborhoods dipped to only 43 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Bangkok Post reports that the Thai Elephant Conservation Center and Hospital in Lampang was caring for eight ailing pachyderms that fell ill due to the cold temperatures.

In the southern province of Phattalung, wild macaques migrated from the mountains to around the geothermal pools and geysers at Kao Chia Son to escape the cold snap.

Snake farmers in some areas of Thailand say the reptiles have begun to die from exposure since the Siberian air mass blew in from neighboring China early this month.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation says it has distributed more than 742,000 blankets to help needy families keep warm.

Thailand is the world’s largest rice exporter, and the cold wave may force farmers to delay harvest by two weeks.

The Thai Meteorological Department predicts that below-normal temperatures are likely to prevail until the beginning of February.

Photo: Lampang’s Elephant Conservation Center and Hospital