Horizontal distributions of sea surface water temperature,
salinity and density (sigma-t) in September 1995 and
April–May 1996 are shown in Fig. 2. The sea surface
water temperature in April–May 1996 was higher by about
1°C than in September 1995. The sea surface salinity in
the western part of the Gulf of Thailand and east coastal
sea of Peninsular Malaysia in April–May 1996 was lower
than in September 1995. Salinity in the offshore area east
of Peninsular Malaysia in April–May 1996 was higher
than in September 1995. The density in the western part
of the Gulf of Thailand and east coastal sea of Peninsular
Malaysia in April–May 1996 was lower than in Septe