Capital swelters and many find they can’t seek refuge

[rooster59]

Capital swelters and many find they can’t seek refuge

By Thitima Petchdam and Natcha Niewthong 
Special to The Nation

 

Photo by Thitima Petchdam

 

Life in Bangkok city goes on despite a punishing heat wave that is pushing towards 40 degrees Celsius this summer.

 

While many can shield themselves from the scorching sunlight by staying in the shade or even in cool air-conditioned places, many others have to simply brave the hot weather as their jobs require them to be outdoor to make ends meet. These include construction workers, motorcycle taxi riders, vendors, labourers and farmers. Commuters also have to face the heat on jam-packed buses or while waiting at bus stops or ambling down pavements seeking shade from neighbouring buildings. 

 

This year, the Thai Meteorological Department announced that the start of the Thai summer was on March 3 and predicted its end around mid-May. April saw the hottest temperature readings of 40-42 degrees Celsius, coinciding with the Sun’s zenith phenomenon in the provinces until early this month. 

 

The summer heat is reported to be particularly severe in the north and northeast, where many cities are at a high altitude or surrounded by mountains that block the winds that give respite from the overhead sun. 

 

Summer in the south, although also beset by a strong sun, is more frequently soothed by winds and rain. Thai health authorities have warned people to avoid staying outdoors too long and to keep sipping water to prevent dehydration.People, especially the elderly, could suffer heatstroke when the mercury soars beyond 40 degrees Celsius, they say. Those in need of emergency medical aid can call the hotline 1669.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30344707

 

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-06

[Get Real]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Life in Bangkok city goes on

That´s positive! 

[marko kok prong]

well it's a lot better than that horrendous summer two years ago during the el nino cycle,i think every temprature record was broken that year. This year where i live in Phetchabun province,has been hot but we have had near constant storms everyday which do provide some relief from the heat.

[Bangkok Barry]

We had about 10 days of 40+ up in Kalasin province when that happened, and ever since then the weather has been wonderful. Two cool winters with a massive rainy season inbetween, the wettest in 38 years I read, and now a relatively cool hot season has just ended when the worst we had was four days of 37 or 38.

[jacko45k]

It has been relatively cool here in Pattaya area for the last 10 days or so, as we have been getting daily rain and many thunderstorms. I thought Bangkok was getting much of the same!

[lamyai3]

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

It has been relatively cool here in Pattaya area for the last 10 days or so, as we have been getting daily rain and many thunderstorms. I thought Bangkok was getting much of the same!

It was, for much of last week