Humidity

[buhi]

I think Thai have a word for it from my discussions. They do not suffer from it.

Larwn, is all I hear. Hot , yes, but that is not a problem for me.

Few Thai sweat and I do not either except on my head, face.

It is goodness knows how humid out there ; puddles have not evaporated even though the temperature is 38 ish degrees.

Yes hot and very humid!

[Soutpeel]

Cos they a reptilians ? Thai do suffer from it, my Mrs is a prime example

[TP1]

That's what I keep saying to my g/f.

It's too hot and humid.

And she keeps answering me.

This is Thailand, you don't like it you pack your bags and go back to UK where you can be cold and wet all day.

I do have to choose, one of these days.

[buhi]

Few Thai sweat; genes I guess.

As I stated, hot is uncomfortable above 32 degrees; 39 degrees and add 90% humidity and my body ceases to function correctly!

[YeahSiam]

Few Thai sweat; genes I guess.

As I stated, hot is uncomfortable above 32 degrees; 39 degrees and add 90% humidity and my body ceases to function correctly!

That's a new one. Thais don't sweat

[thrilled]

I live half the year,well 4-6 months in thailand.About 4 months in the U.S. And the rest traveling.

If you can't handle the heat,humidity get out.

[Stan42]

It's true. Locals do sweat less than foreigners. Just ask any person to raise their arms and examine their armpit stains. Thai's have nearly none, while Westerner don't even need to lift their arms because their sweat stains are already visible on the back and chest.

It's genetics baby.

[BuaBS]

It's all about dew point. When that gets over 23-24 celsius , sweat doesn't evaporate as well, and feels uncomfortable. The difference between dry heat and humid.

[jacko45k]

It's true. Locals do sweat less than foreigners. Just ask any person to raise their arms and examine their armpit stains. Thai's have nearly none, while Westerner don't even need to lift their arms because their sweat stains are already visible on the back and chest.

It's genetics baby.

Nah, I will take your word for it.

[Soutpeel]

It's all about dew point. When that gets over 23-24 celsius , sweat doesn't evaporate as well, and feels uncomfortable. The difference between dry heat and humid.

I think you mean the difference between wet and dry bulb temperatures not dew point per set

[gandalf12]

Born and living in it their threshold level is higher. Stay long enough and yours will also increase but probably not to the same level as a Thai. As for humidity, just got to live with it

[freebyrd]

The older I get, the more it affects me after 3 decades in Asia. As a 30 year old I used to run at 6am, midday and 6pm, the heat/humidity didn't bother me then at all. Now, walking across the road is a chore.

I decided this year that I would spend more on the aircon and less on other stuff. Additionally, my wife, Khmer, is a smart girl and she keeps 8 ice towels in the freezer that I wrap around my neck, they last about 20 minutes in the arcon and we recycle them through the freezer again. There is always one in a cool bag, next to a bottle of ice water when we venture out into the heat of the day. At night, I have 4 hot/cold packs that I keep in the freezer, which I lay on my torso or head.

I'm sure there are many who would criticise and I expect the usual jibes from the miserable gits out there, but i'm happy as a pig in whatsit and as always, one man's meat.....

[GlobalCtzn]

The word for humid is Cheun or humidity is Kwam Cheun.

As someone who comes from a dry, semi arid climate I can definitely feel the humidity of Thailand. I get out on my farm and start working and within 15 minutes I am wet and soon soaked. Somehow it feels good. Sweat all day, drink a ton of water, take a shower (which after a day of work feels like heaven - like taking your ski boots off after a long day of hard skiing), and at night sleep like a baby.

[Tarteso]

The older I get, the more it affects me after 3 decades in Asia. As a 30 year old I used to run at 6am, midday and 6pm, the heat/humidity didn't bother me then at all. Now, walking across the road is a chore.

I decided this year that I would spend more on the aircon and less on other stuff. Additionally, my wife, Khmer, is a smart girl and she keeps 8 ice towels in the freezer that I wrap around my neck, they last about 20 minutes in the arcon and we recycle them through the freezer again. There is always one in a cool bag, next to a bottle of ice water when we venture out into the heat of the day. At night, I have 4 hot/cold packs that I keep in the freezer, which I lay on my torso or head.

I'm sure there are many who would criticise and I expect the usual jibes from the miserable gits out there, but i'm happy as a pig in whatsit and as always, one man's meat.....

You are a lucky man...now I know that my GF...."Don't take care of me".

[Kerryd]

People can acclimatize to their conditions, over time, but I think you really have to force that change. I'm sure that biologically, people in different regions have evolved, if ever so slightly, to be able to handle the conditions more easily. That is why it is harder for people from different regions to adjust.

Most Thais I know would literally die if they had to spend a winter in the Canadian Rockies where I grew up, where -5^o C was a pleasant winter's day and long periods (weeks) of -15 was just "normal for that time of year".

Or Winnipeg (aka "Winterpeg") where we used to go for 8-10km jogs in the morning when it was -35^o C ! (I'm not missing that at all !)

On the other hand, we used to watch the local in Afghanistan working with pick and shovel in the 50^o(+) C heat, with nary a bead of sweat to be seen. It helped that the place was so arid that most perspiration evaporated very quickly, but when "westerners" worked in the same conditions they'd be soaked in minutes (and bone dry again minutes after stopping). We'd walk a little over 500 meters in the blazing sun to get to/from the dining facility at lunch time and not have a drop of sweat, but if I walk the barely 200 meters from my house to the edge of the village here, I look like I've just gone through a car wash (without the car) even though the temperature is almost 20 degrees cooler !

Here, if you are outside there isn't much you can do about the humidity. Move up north and higher in the mountains maybe, or stay indoors with the air-con on. Could try using one of those "dehumidifiers" (but that also means you need to keep all your doors/windows closed otherwise you'd just be defeating the purpose of the dehumidifier).

Some say exercising (and eating right) can help, but that may be more because the humidity would feel less oppressive when you weren't exercising than it would while you were exerting yourself. Still, probably a better option than being cooped up indoors all day running up your electricity bill !

Personally I'd much rather put up with the heat and humidity than the cold and dank weather in other places.

[paulchiangmai]

That's what I keep saying to my g/f.

It's too hot and humid.

And she keeps answering me.

This is Thailand, you don't like it you pack your bags and go back to UK where you can be cold and wet all day.

I do have to choose, one of these days.

She sounds like she means it, I wouldn't wait too long.

[swissbie]

It's the combination of heat and humidity, but not much about genetics. After spending many years in Switzerland my (Thai) wife now is sweating considerably more than myself, some of her friends even call her "kii rawn". Some people get accustomed to circumstances easier than others and getting older isn't a big help too.

[smokie36]

Between my swimming pool and favourite seat outside the pub with the fan gently fanning me its hell.

But that's only ten minutes a day.

[peterb17]

Of course Thai's sweat- physiologically we are all exactly the same- we have exactly the same inner core temperature.

An increase of core temperature is extremely dangerous- far more than being cold- enzymes control every single function of cells- they will not tolerate an increase in temperature which can alter the molecular structure.

Sweating is the most efficient way to cool down.

It does not help if you are overweight- therefore you have a smaller surface area to volume ratio- ie the skin surface area has to work extra hard to cool you down - so voila- extra sweat.

Peoples such as the Masai are very thin and tall- gives a large surface area to volume ratio.

An elephant has to increase its surface area - hence the large ears !

Another useful post from your resident scientist.

[buhi]

I did write that I do not sweat much and after twenty years in Thailand am fairly acclimatised.

I laugh when I read UK in for a sweltering heatwave, temperatures of 28 degrees.

I think I also wrote somewhere, that I/ we only use the air con at night in our bedroom; reason, no need to explain.

Fan is fine in the day as our house is designed for free flowing air from down to up.

It is walking out when I notice it.

Not much sweat under my armpits , but I do mop my brow rather a lot.

Discussed this with a Thai friend and he agreed that mostly he can tolerate the humidity, but that yesterday it was extremely uncomfortable and he was glad not to be working outside.

The " Leave Thailand then!," brigade; tedious," fun and entertainment," is this forum's titlle.

[buhi]

Of course Thai's sweat- physiologically we are all exactly the same- we have exactly the same inner core temperature.

An increase of core temperature is extremely dangerous- far more than being cold- enzymes control every single function of cells- they will not tolerate an increase in temperature which can alter the molecular structure.

Sweating is the most efficient way to cool down.

It does not help if you are overweight- therefore you have a smaller surface area to volume ratio- ie the skin surface area has to work extra hard to cool you down - so voila- extra sweat.

Peoples such as the Masai are very thin and tall- gives a large surface area to volume ratio.

An elephant has to increase its surface area - hence the large ears !

Another useful post from your resident scientist.

Good post. I am not overweight, in fact quite slim. Stated I do not sweat much normally and from my brow mostly.

Need a haircut perhaps!

[curtklay]

Thais sure look like they sweat to me. They are constantly wiping their faces with little towels they carry, and complaining about how hot it is. Just like me.

[buhi]

On reflection, maybe it is an age aspect, metabolism slowing.

I eat far less than I used to.

See, young children , foreigners ( including my son, half Thai) running around, playing football , with not a care of the heat/ humidity.

Fun topic guys!

[buhi]

Thais sure look like they sweat to me. They are constantly wiping their faces with little towels they carry, and complaining about how hot it is. Just like me.

Agreed, but I see workers on a building site, fully clothed, even a balaclava on, working in the mid day sun.

One minute doing that for me would be impossible.

Yes of course Thai sweat, natural cooling mechanism. Human's do not hold their tongue out like a dog to cool, neither do we need large ears; unless a British royal!

[neeray]

People can acclimatize to their conditions, over time, but I think you really have to force that change. I'm sure that biologically, people in different regions have evolved, if ever so slightly, to be able to handle the conditions more easily. That is why it is harder for people from different regions to adjust.

Most Thais I know would literally die if they had to spend a winter in the Canadian Rockies where I grew up, where -5^o C was a pleasant winter's day and long periods (weeks) of -15 was just "normal for that time of year".

Or Winnipeg (aka "Winterpeg") where we used to go for 8-10km jogs in the morning when it was -35^o C ! (I'm not missing that at all !)

On the other hand, we used to watch the local in Afghanistan working with pick and shovel in the 50^o(+) C heat, with nary a bead of sweat to be seen. It helped that the place was so arid that most perspiration evaporated very quickly, but when "westerners" worked in the same conditions they'd be soaked in minutes (and bone dry again minutes after stopping). We'd walk a little over 500 meters in the blazing sun to get to/from the dining facility at lunch time and not have a drop of sweat, but if I walk the barely 200 meters from my house to the edge of the village here, I look like I've just gone through a car wash (without the car) even though the temperature is almost 20 degrees cooler !

Here, if you are outside there isn't much you can do about the humidity. Move up north and higher in the mountains maybe, or stay indoors with the air-con on. Could try using one of those "dehumidifiers" (but that also means you need to keep all your doors/windows closed otherwise you'd just be defeating the purpose of the dehumidifier).

Some say exercising (and eating right) can help, but that may be more because the humidity would feel less oppressive when you weren't exercising than it would while you were exerting yourself. Still, probably a better option than being cooped up indoors all day running up your electricity bill !

Personally I'd much rather put up with the heat and humidity than the cold and dank weather in other places.

Thanks for expressing my sentiments about cold Canadian winters. When I tell my fiancée about how cold it can be, she says "I'd die if I ever had to live in cold like that". And when she tells me about the heat and humidity of Thailand, I say "bring it on".

[buhi]

Noel Coward, "Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, "!

Check it out, very amusing.

[kerrysum]

Funny,

My wife here complains about the humidity in Las Vegas, well at least until she goes home to Thailand....

Maybe Crow was correct with the song, "A change will do you good," Wife does not have a big desire to return...

But then again, everything is relative.....

[rott]

Which humidity are we talking about here, relative, absolute or what?

Early in the thread somebody mentioned 90% humidity, but the last time I looked at my mobile it was quoting 37C and 49% humidity.

Can a scientific mind please clarify.

[bbbbooboo]

Ummmm..... I suggest hot climate, hot food and hot women

[freebyrd]

The older I get, the more it affects me after 3 decades in Asia. As a 30 year old I used to run at 6am, midday and 6pm, the heat/humidity didn't bother me then at all. Now, walking across the road is a chore.

I decided this year that I would spend more on the aircon and less on other stuff. Additionally, my wife, Khmer, is a smart girl and she keeps 8 ice towels in the freezer that I wrap around my neck, they last about 20 minutes in the arcon and we recycle them through the freezer again. There is always one in a cool bag, next to a bottle of ice water when we venture out into the heat of the day. At night, I have 4 hot/cold packs that I keep in the freezer, which I lay on my torso or head.

I'm sure there are many who would criticise and I expect the usual jibes from the miserable gits out there, but i'm happy as a pig in whatsit and as always, one man's meat.....

You are a lucky man...now I know that my GF...."Don't take care of me".

Indeed I am. She's an old man's darling, having once been a younger man's slave. He beat the hell out of her and generally treated her like crap. I know how lucky I am, but then so does she.