Thailand battles heat stroke, related illnesses as temperatures soar
Thailand is facing an intensifying public health challenge as rising temperatures push parts of the country into extreme heat territory. Rather than simply warning about heatstroke, health officials are now highlighting a broader concern: a systemic climate and public health emergency.
Heat stroke is no joke
According to Cleveland Clinic, heat stroke is a life-threatening condition where the body can’t regulate its temperature. Symptoms include dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, slurred speech, and confusion. It can reduce blood flow and damage vital organs. Seek emergency medical help immediately.
So far in 2025, 32 heat-related illnesses have been reported, signaling a troubling uptick as summer intensifies. With heat index values expected to hit “extremely dangerous” levels above 52°C in provinces like Phuket, Pattani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Songkhla, authorities are shifting from warnings to targeted risk mitigation.
Between 2019 and 2024, heatstroke claimed 212 lives in Thailand, an average of 27 deaths per year. Nearly all victims were men aged 41 to 60, often with pre-existing health issues or alcohol use, and typically engaged in outdoor activities.
This year’s spike comes amid climate trends predicted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which project a sharp rise in deadly heat exposure across tropical nations by 2050. In that future, more than half the global population may face hazardous heat for at least 20 days annually.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin emphasized that this isn’t just a seasonal inconvenience but a growing structural threat. “We’re seeing climate change impact real lives in real time,” he said. “Prevention must go beyond staying hydrated—it involves systemic adaptation.”
He urged high-risk groups—including the elderly, chronically ill, and those working outdoors—to avoid exposure during peak heat hours, drink water regularly, and skip dehydrating drinks like alcohol or sugary sodas.
As humidity rises alongside temperatures, the body’s ability to cool itself declines, and even healthy individuals are at risk. The heat index—how hot it feels when humidity is factored in—has become a key metric in Thailand’s heat response strategy.
With provinces like Trat and Sa Kaeo seeing the highest per capita heat illness rates so far, local authorities are stepping up heat preparedness plans. Mobile health units, public hydration stations, and heat shelters are being considered in especially vulnerable zones.
Thailand’s response to this year’s heatwave may become a blueprint for other nations navigating the intersection of public health and climate resilience.
Category: Community
