WEATHERMEN are predicting a cold snap this weekend, with temperatures expected to go down to as low as 6 degrees Celsius in Baguio and to 16 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila.

In Thailand, a cold spell prompted authorities yesterday to declare an emergency zone across more than half of the country, normally renowned for its tropical weather, climate officials said.

Thai media have reported up to five deaths as a result of exposure to unusually cold conditions, but the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said they were still verifying the reports.

As temperatures fell to 4 degrees in some parts, officials said 42 of 76 provinces, mostly in the north and northeast, would get a special budget to provide blankets and warm clothing.

The Meteorological Department said the temperature in Bangkok fell to 15 degrees on Monday?cold for the capital, but still far off its record low of 11 degrees recorded in 1974.

?Because the high pressure from China keeps coming, the cold weather will stay in Bangkok at least until this weekend,? a meteorological official said.

On Tuesday, most parts of north and northeast saw temperatures below 14 degrees coupled with strong winds, with a mountain in northern Chiang Mai provinces recording a temperature of 4 degrees.

In Bangkok, commuters and residents used to the heat, sun and humidity, for which Thailand is famous, have wrapped up in scarves and jackets in recent days.

In Manila, senior weather specialist Lucresio About said the temperature in other parts of the Philippines would drop further because of the northeast monsoon, but said this was normal for this time of year.

Baguio?s temperature dropped to 10.6 degrees yesterday, although that was still higher than the 9.6 degrees registered earlier.

Apparently because of the cool weather, a homeless person was found dead yesterday on Lerma and Paredes Streets in Sampaloc, Manila.

Also yesterday, all flights bound for Cagayan de Oro and Butuan were canceled as heavy rain and strong winds continued to batter parts of Mindanao, airport authorities said.

Some 3,000 passengers were affected by the cancelation.

All scheduled flights of Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific remained canceled since yesterday. AFP, Vito Barcelo, Jing Villamente, Rio N. Araja