According to data from the Thai Meteorological Department, more than 30 out of 77 provinces and cities in the country recorded “super hot” days in late April, surpassing the record set since 1958.
The Thai Meteorological Department said that the maximum temperature in most localities of Thailand, especially the northern and northeastern provinces, recorded above 40 degrees Celsius on April 30. Lampang province, northern Thailand, was the province that recorded the highest temperature at 44.2 degrees Celsius.
In the capital Bangkok alone, the temperature index, a measure of heat when taking into account humidity in the air, recorded a level above 52 degrees Celsius on April 30.
Associate Professor, Dr. Seree Supharatid, Director of the Center for Disaster and Climate Change at Rangsit University, said the number of hot and “super hot” days has been increasing rapidly in recent years. Previously, the number of days with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius was usually 10-15 days, however, the current trend shows that the number of “super hot” days may last from 30 to 90 days in the near future.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has advised people not to stay outdoors for long periods of time to avoid health problems from heatstroke or even heatstroke. According to the ministry, Thailand has recorded at least 30 deaths from heatstroke in just the past two peak months (March and April).
The intense heat has caused electricity consumption in Thailand to break all previous records. According to the spokesman of the Thai Ministry of Energy, Veerapat Kiatfuengfoo, electricity consumption in the country reached 36,699.9 megawatts at 9 p.m. on April 29. This is the highest consumption level ever, causing Thailand's electricity reserve ratio (available capacity that has not been used) to fall to 25.8% of total capacity, compared to 30.9% in 2023.
Mr Veerapat said the Energy Ministry is closely monitoring consumption and reserves to deal with any emergencies that may arise.
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