61 Dead from Heat Stroke in Thailand: Warning Signs and First Aid Advice

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Thai PBS

 

Over the first four months of this year, sixty-one people tragically lost their lives to heat stroke in Thailand, with thirty-three of those fatalities occurring in the north-eastern region.

 

Dr. Apichart Wachiraphan, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department, revealed that most victims were elderly but still working, particularly those in farming and manual labor roles, with a higher proportion of males succumbing to the heat.

 

The main risk factors identified for heat stroke deaths include heavy alcohol consumption (62.1%), underlying health conditions (49.2%), and outdoor work (27.6%).

 

Dr. Wachiraphan emphasized key symptoms to watch for, such as high body temperature without sweating, rapid heartbeat, headaches, incoherent speech, or fainting, urging immediate action if these signs are observed.

 

In cases of suspected heat stroke, he advised placing the person in a cool, shaded area, lying them down with legs raised, and applying cold towels or ice packs to help lower body temperature. It's crucial to provide water or electrolyte drinks if the person is conscious and seek urgent medical attention.

 

Furthermore, Dr. Wachiraphan stressed the danger of leaving children or pets in unventilated cars under the scorching sun, where temperatures can quickly become life-threatening.

 

To reduce the risk of heat stroke, he advised avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest hours, especially between 11 am and 3 pm, when the sun's rays are most intense.

 

-- 2024-05-13

 

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[smedly]

government should be handling out free water to everyone

[Robert Paulson]

Does anyone ever even think to themselves maybe the heat strokes are from them being paid so poorly for their manual labor. They do need to eat you know. 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Over the first four months of this year, sixty-one people tragically lost their lives to heat stroke in Thailand, with thirty-three of those fatalities occurring in the north-eastern region.

Out of a population of 60+ million that's not bad.

[Ben Zioner]

Put a 40% sales tax on AC units and services to assist the heat stroke victims.

[nausea]

It ain't half hot, Mum.

[thairookie]

Every household should get a Daikin or Mitsubishi from the government, free.

[sammieuk1]

If your cold and in HH you can always go to Blueport shopping mall to scorch your face off 🤔

[Bandersnatch]

61 is major underestimate. I am sure many deaths are simple recorded as “heart attack” or similar.

 

In our village alone we have had one death and one in ICU

 

The guy in ICU collapsed while fishing in a pond he was pulled out before drowning. I am sure if he had died the death would have been recorded as drowning and heat would not have been listed as a contributing factor.

 

The death was an old guy burning his field who collapsed due to the heat ending up getting burnt to death

 

 

 

 

[Moonlover]

44 minutes ago, thairookie said:

Every household should get a Daikin or Mitsubishi from the government, free.

And a massive upgrade to the power grid to cope with the extra load and oh, by the way, who's going to pay their electricity bills? I know folks in our village who can barely afford to run a fan, let alone an A/C unit.

[scottiejohn]

3 hours ago, thairookie said:

Every household should get a Daikin or Mitsubishi from the government, free.

And who is going to pay the electric and maintenance bills?

[john donson]

nice timely warning ... when rainy season is starting...

[brianthainess]

Just saw a doughnut seller at Traffic lights wearing a full bear outfit head and all, it was 34 degrees outside. 

.    similar to this 

 

[Puccini]

11 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Just saw a doughnut seller at Traffic lights wearing a full bear outfit head and all, it was 34 degrees outside. 

.    similar to this 

 

That's his daily sauna session.

[rickudon]

Yes, 61 avast under estimate. Both my wife's elderly parents fainted in late April (on different days), F-in-l ambulance, M-in-l refused to go and was unsteady for several days - still taking longer naps than before.