by Michael Bridge

 

The normal weather in Thailand is classified as hot and humid, with a long monsoon season. 
 

Thailand has three official seasons - hot, cool, and wet. 

The hot season runs from March through to June, with April and May the hottest months of the year.

Thailand's climate is subtropical throughout most of the country, leading the weather in Thailand to year-round hot and humid conditions. 

During the hottest months of the year, temperatures regularly top 40° C (105° F). 

Even during the cooler “winter” season, you can expect daily highs to be around 30° C (86° F).

Unusually hot

We are now in the hottest month and April and the average over the past seven days has reached 32°celius C or 89.9 Fahrenheit.

Driving around town last week, my car’s temperate gauged regularly showed 44 celsius.

The air conditioning was struggling to cope!

This year, the rise in global temperature will be reflected in the upcoming extreme local weather.

Extraordinary scorching heat in the summer is forecasted by climate experts in Thailand, with some parts in the North expected to experience temperatures of up to 42-43 degrees Celsius. 

Thailand is also predicted to suffer the hottest temperature among Asean countries. 

Health concerns

As such, there are raised concerns on the health implication imposed by the heat, ranging from mild heat rashes to deadly heatstroke.

Therefore making a few adjustments to your daily routine can help you avoid unnecessary heat complications while still enjoying the sun. 

This is especially important for the city dwellers in Bangkok, which is already affected by the ‘urban heat island effect’. 

As the urban area is more densely populated and constructed, heat trapped inside the city contributes to higher temperatures compared to the surrounding or rural area.

If possible, plan your outside and active activities well; i.e early in the morning or late in the evening. 

As you probably spend more time indoors during the working days, plan your weekend to avoid excessive sun exposure also. 

If the temperature is unbearably hot, keep yourself indoors. 

If you are on an outdoor trip, always look for shade and cool off as much as possible before completing your journey instead of rushing to your destination.

 

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Aside from the heat, take preventive measure to protect your health from the air pollution in Thailand.  

Although the air pollution level varies seasonally, it tends to be at its highest on hot, sunny days and cleaner after rainy or windy weather. 

If you are planning to exercise, avoid rush hour in busy traffic areas. 

Make use of parks, public spaces and keep a healthy distance from the road.

Keep hydrated

Make sure you drink an adequate amount of water daily to keep you hydrated. 

Bring your own water supply when you are heading outside. 

Plain water should be the best choice as alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated drinks can act as a diuretic that leads to dehydration or slows the hydration process. 

Be more vigilant on the signs and symptoms of dehydration such as dark urine, headaches, muscle cramps and fatigue.

Keep Your Body Cool

Place some ice in a bowl in front of your fan. 

The breeze will pick up cold water from the ice’s surface as it melts, creating a cooling mist. 

You can also bring some wet towels with you when heading outside. 

Soak it in cool water, wring it out, then wear it on the back of your neck.  

It will not only keep your skin nice and cool but also reduce water evaporation on your skin so you don’t have to sweat as much.

Avoid using handheld electric fans especially if the temperature outside is more than 35 degrees Celsius. 

Fans create airflow and a false sense of comfort, but they don’t do anything to actually reduce your body temperature. 

Instead of a fan, carry a misting bottle (not a spray bottle) outside to help you cool off.

Stay cool!

 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-04-26

 

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1 hour ago, webfact said:

Stay cool!

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand has three official seasons - hot, cool, and wet

Strange statement, it's always been dry and wet seasons only. 

 

Anyway, if you're adding another season I'd say hot, comfortable and wet. 

 

Cool, Nope 

 

 

 

Edited April 25, 20224 yr by SAFETY FIRST

I thought there was only 1 season very hot... especially the last years. Even no cold season anymore

37 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

I thought there was only 1 season very hot... especially the last years. Even no cold season anymore

The heat hasn't really even hit us yet, so turn off your A/C's and get use to it. After all you didn't retire in the north pole. Remember things can always get worse, like having very hot weather in the burn off season, count your blessings.

Have to say yes, it s hotter. Never usually have the air con on in the day, only using the fans,  just 20 minutes aircon in bed. Having it on in the main room for couple hours a day now due to afternoon 'concrete heat' .

 

Also know its hotter as the wife keeps stealing my iced coke light

I have a clock indoors with a temperature feature, linked to a sensor which I keep outdoors but in a shaded area... this last week or so it's reached an average 35C mid-afternoon.

However if I move the sensor to be in full sun it will spike up to 45C,or more.

Thailand is tropical , not subtropical.

The weather is never the same year to year .

For me the weather has been good so far this year due to the early rain . That cleans the air and stops the fires .

5 hours ago, webfact said:

This year, the rise in global temperature will be reflected in the upcoming extreme local weather.

Really?

I am not denying climate change but it is climate change, not short term weather change.

Long term temperatures will rise - in average over many years. But short term they may rise, they may be the same, they could be lower. Because short term it's called (unpredictable) weather and not climate. There is a difference!

Last year was <deleted> hot but this year has been ok until the last couple of weeks when it's warmed up a bit. Still bearable though and the ac hasn't been on nearly so much. More rain too according to our pond which is alot more full than in recent years.

The last few weeks in Pattaya has seemed unusually hot. Couple it with the humidity and the heat index takes us up to about 39 or 40C daily. Inside my house it's usually about 28 which I can handle. But the last few days it's gotten up to almost 36. I use room fans downstairs in my townhouse. At night have to sleep with the AC set at 25C. Whenever anyone from my home country, USA. asks me about the weather here the answer is always the same. Hot and humid.

It's definitely getting hotter each year.  The problem is many people have <deleted> memories. And Cambodia is reportedly even hotter according to a buddy over there. A couple of decent storms in PP over the last couple of weeks, but not as frequent as Bangkok.   

And after a big hot period expect a big wet season. Flotation devices ready. 

 

Where I live, in Ratchaburi, it has not hit 40 this year yet.  The last few years have been cooler during the hot season.  Way less days of 40 or higher.

Not hotter , but definitely wetter , in the North anyway.

rain most welcome, clears the air, waters the garden.

regards worgeordie

 

Had a couple of 40c days in Ayutthaya last week, plenty of stickiness with impending heavy rain which doesn’t always materialise. Up and down between 35 and 38 now which is normal.
I wouldn’t say it is hotter than previous years, only the “ hotter than hell “ days came all at once without the gradual build up.

I don't buy the premise. In my area March was atypically cold, and April not hotter than usual. 38c max  mid day, with 32c in the mornings. A fantastic hot season. As for the "Global Warming," to each their own. 

In my area of Kalasin Province we've had much cooler weather than usual for at least the last six months. I didn't even use a fan from November until April arrived, and so far we've only had a very few days in the high 30s. My electric bill at this time of year is usually around 4000+ but this year it's nearly halved.

Informative article, for a minute there I thought it was going to be another of those alarmist left-wing articles promoting anthropological climate change which right now is the least of the world's problems. 

It has been hot, though I would not say hotter than usual. It was one of the most delightful and cool winters I ever remember. Stayed mild right through mid to late March, which is unusual. 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Unusually hot

We are now in the hottest month and April and the average over the past seven days has reached 32°celius C or 89.9 Fahrenheit.

Hottest where in Thailand?

In Chiang Mai it's been the coolest year since I've been here (2009) with lower temperatures and much more rain.

I've only used my air-con for 3 hours so far this month.

It is hot yes but for me nothing different here in Issaan this year 

Yes it appears to  be hotter this year then normal,  but here in East pattaya  the Electric company   have turned the electric off twice in the last 24 hours

 

Thai 's dont do maintenance

Off topic post removed

11 minutes ago, actonion said:

Yes it appears to  be hotter this year then normal,  but here in East pattaya  the Electric company   have turned the electric off twice in the last 24 hours

 

Thai 's dont do maintenance

Maybe they turned it off to do maintenance.

I'm no meteorologist but it does seem the last two monsoons in Phuket have lingered longer???? It's decidedly cooler down here than BKK that's for sure. Went up to BKK not long back n' the difference in the heat was marked.

The boffins say that worlds weather is definitely changing and becoming more extreme.   

The temperatures are no hotter than in previous , recent Years

However, its the Humidity which has risen, and makes everything seem hotter.

There is definitely more water in the lakes and Ponds Etc than there has been in recent Years

Aircon 24/7 here in Hua Hin pool to hot to cool off in and now just an expensive ornament at the moment ????

4 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Strange statement, it's always been dry and wet seasons only. 

 

Anyway, if you're adding another season I'd say hot, comfortable and wet. 

 

Cool, Nope 

 

 

 

In December and the months around that time it is relatively cooler but not cool