BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand will experience the autumnal equinox, known in Thai as Sarat Wisuwat, on September 23, when the Sun is directly above the equator and rises due east before setting due west. Day and night are approximately equal in length during the astronomical event.
In Bangkok, the Sun is expected to rise at about 6:07 a.m. and set at about 6:13 p.m. Daylight appears slightly longer than 12 hours because sunrise and sunset are measured using the upper edge of the Sun rather than its center, while atmospheric refraction also affects its apparent position near the horizon.
The equinox signals the beginning of astronomical autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Thailand, however, will remain in its rainy season because the country’s seasons are determined primarily by prevailing weather and atmospheric conditions rather than astronomical seasons. After the equinox, sunrise and sunset will gradually shift southward, resulting in shorter days and longer nights in Thailand. The trend will continue until the winter solstice on December 22, when the Northern Hemisphere experiences its longest night of the year. (NNT)
