File photo

 

Scorching temperatures have hit parts of Thailand, including Phuket and Bangkok, with the heat index soaring to "very dangerous" levels. The Department of Health has issued urgent guidelines urging vulnerable populations to avoid sun exposure as the heatwave is expected to persist into Thursday.

 

In a press briefing, Dr Amporn Benjaponpitak, Director-General of the Department of Health, highlighted that the extreme heat could trigger rashes, cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, or even more serious health concerns like fainting, and possibly death. Elderly individuals, outdoor workers, and those battling obesity, chronic diseases, alcoholism, or mental illness are advised to remain vigilant.

 

The heat index, a factor of actual temperature combined with humidity, makes the air feel significantly hotter. According to the Meteorological Department, conditions in Phuket could give the impression of temperatures soaring beyond 52 degrees Celsius, even though actual readings are lower. Dangerous or 'orange' level heat is expected in 34 provinces, including Bangkok.

 

 

 

A heat index in this orange category can forcefully simulate temperatures between 42°C and 51.9°C. This range poses risks of cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Among the affected provinces are Ubon Ratchathani, Lampang, Chon Buri, and Nakhon Ratchasima.

 

Dr Thiti Sawangtham, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health, advises people to stay hydrated, opting for water over sugary drinks or alcohol. Loose, well-ventilated clothing is recommended. Key warning signs to watch for include dehydration, disorientation, or hallucinations, which require immediate medical attention.

 

Quick intervention is crucial; applying cold water and ice cubes, especially to the neck and armpits, can help reduce body temperature swiftly. Should symptoms persist, urgent hospitalisation is advised. As Thailand grapples with the reality of sweltering heat, taking these precautions can mitigate severe health impacts.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-04-24

 

 

 

Kudos to the good doctor and the Post for not attributing cyclical climate variations to that terrible naturally occurring gas that is 0.04% of the atmosphere and is responsible for sustaining all life on the planet. 

 

 

53 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

Kudos to the good doctor and the Post for not attributing cyclical climate variations to that terrible naturally occurring gas that is 0.04% of the atmosphere and is responsible for sustaining all life on the planet. 

 

 

Jeez, get a life

1 hour ago, Gsxrnz said:

Kudos to the good doctor and the Post for not attributing cyclical climate variations to that terrible naturally occurring gas that is 0.04% of the atmosphere and is responsible for sustaining all life on the planet. 

 

 

You have officially been appointed the title Doomsday Professor.

I have a pool. 

20 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

I have a pool. 

I have a dream     🤣

I know it has been really hot but some other places are even hotter. I spent a few months in Kuwait and being outside was the defintion of misery. I saw 48 a few times.  Only saving grace was low humidity.  As long as one does not have to do manual labor outside then I think most of us will get through it. Just hope the AC doesen't go out or the electricity gets interrupted. 

This month although hot has absolutely nothing on last April where it was 100⁰F/37.8⁰C + virtually everyday. That was bad. If anything this April's been a bit cooler than normal. Still hot but it is the hottest month of the hot season.

1 hour ago, jaywalker2 said:

Jeez, get a life

He is right

5 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

This month although hot has absolutely nothing on last April where it was 100⁰F/37.8⁰C + virtually everyday. That was bad. If anything this April's been a bit cooler than normal. Still hot but it is the hottest month of the hot season.

Global cooling

Doctor Vinny Boombatz says

Everything & anything to be done, should be completed in the morning. By noon, one should be inside, under the AC,  with an iced; A) tea  B) coffee  or C) Barbados Cooler,  in hand. 

 

14 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

This month although hot has absolutely nothing on last April where it was 100⁰F/37.8⁰C + virtually everyday. That was bad. If anything this April's been a bit cooler than normal. Still hot but it is the hottest month of the hot season.

That’s a fact! This time last year set records!

Hot day cold beer all's good.

I thought the weather was rather mild at the moment, when does the blistering heat arrive ?

3 minutes ago, Dcheech said:

Doctor Vinny Boombatz says

Everything & anything to be done, should be completed in the morning. By noon, one should be inside, under the AC,  with an iced; A) tea  B) coffee  or C) Barbados Cooler,  in ones hand. 

 

Vinny is old school though, us geriatrics stop at 10:30 am when Foodpanda arrives with breakfast

2 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

Kudos to the good doctor and the Post for not attributing cyclical climate variations to that terrible naturally occurring gas that is 0.04% of the atmosphere and is responsible for sustaining all life on the planet. 

 

 

typical comment from a new Zealander. 

30 minutes ago, JoePai said:

51 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

I have a pool. 

I have a dream     🤣

I have air conditioning

7 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

I have air conditioning

Me too. Two of them.

3 hours ago, Negita43 said:

I have air conditioning

 

This sad individual just bought a mini (2000BTU) A/C for the doggos!

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/i5177159097-s21952617954.html

 

EDIT It has been suggested that I may get to use it if I upset Madam

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

I have a pool. 

You´re not alone! It´s a wonderful, wonderful life.......

1 minute ago, Gottfrid said:

You´re not alone! It´s a wonderful, wonderful life.......

 

Definitely, although I do miss the chilled pool that our condo in KL had, the locals hated it, too cold!

 

 

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

This month although hot has absolutely nothing on last April where it was 100⁰F/37.8⁰C + virtually everyday. That was bad. If anything this April's been a bit cooler than normal. Still hot but it is the hottest month of the hot season.

Exactly what I was about to say.

There used to be something called the World Meteorological Society or some such conclave of scientists, whose chart had BKK down as the hottest capital in the world, based on its year-round mean temps (rather than outright maximum temp).

May or may not be true, but nowadays all we get are the sort of hysterical "news" items like the above, or like any time a typhoon or cyclone forms, usually written by kid reporters who have never experienced anything.

 

It's late April in SE Asia. Why would it not be hot???

2 hours ago, Yagoda said:

I have a pool. 

Is it a bring a bottle affair or just a brag ?

[yes I'm jealous]

2 hours ago, Yagoda said:

when Foodpanda arrives with breakfast

You will be crying in May when Foodpanda stops delivering. Maybe Grab will suffice?

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Elderly individuals, outdoor workers, and those battling obesity, chronic diseases, alcoholism, or mental illness are advised to remain vigilant.

A warning for the lefties here then.

34 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Is it a bring a bottle affair or just a brag ?

[yes I'm jealous]

 

 

Prefer beer to Dr Pepper though...

2 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

I know it has been really hot but some other places are even hotter. I spent a few months in Kuwait and being outside was the defintion of misery. I saw 48 a few times.  Only saving grace was low humidity.  As long as one does not have to do manual labor outside then I think most of us will get through it. Just hope the AC doesen't go out or the electricity gets interrupted. 

When I worked in Saudi I had a digital thermometer that showed inside and outside temperature, it was often:

 

Inside: 21.0C

Outside: 47.6C (The outside sensor was positioned in the shade).

I've seen temps reported as high as 54C for Kuwait.

The weather station in my garden in Pattaya reads 35.5° C, with 60% humidity, which converts to a heat index of 46° C. Bangkok and Chiang Mai are also experiencing similar temperatures according to Yahoo. That's not in the least bit unusual for this time of the year so I don't know what all the fuss is about. Maybe it's to protect the new ไทยเกล็ดหิมะ generation? lol

 

(ไทยเกล็ดหิมะ = Thai snowflake) 

No mention of Nakhon Sawan where this week has been horrendous.

I remember back in Texas once when it was over 100 F for almost 45 days. It was again in 2023 although I wasn't there when it happened. I remember many single almost full months  over 100 F. It gets cool and cold there but it's actually hotter on average than Thailand, so it wasn't hard to get used to this. The rain's another story.