Authorities in Thailand’s capital have opened hundreds of temporary cooling shelters as scorching temperatures grip the city, warning that the heat index could reach levels considered dangerous for human health.
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The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said on Monday it had opened 255 “cooling centres” across Bangkok to provide residents with temporary refuge from the extreme heat, which is forecast to reach 41°C this week.
Officials warned that the heat index – a measure of how hot it feels when humidity is factored in – could reach the “Yellow” alert level of 33°C to 41.9°C, conditions that can pose health risks if people remain outdoors for extended periods.
High humidity reduces the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating, meaning perspiration does not evaporate effectively and instead accumulates on the skin, forcing the body to work harder to regulate its temperature and increasing the risk of dehydration and heatstroke.
The cooling centres are operating from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at all 50 district offices in the capital, along with 10 occupational training schools and various sports and recreational facilities, the BMA said.
City officials urged residents, particularly elderly people, children and pregnant women, to avoid outdoor activity between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the hottest part of the day, and to drink plenty of water.
Thailand, like much of Southeast Asia, has experienced increasingly severe heatwaves in recent years, a trend scientists link to both climate change and rapid urbanisation.
A report by the World Bank warned that without adaptation measures, a 1°C rise in Bangkok’s temperature could result in more than 2,300 heat-related deaths annually. The study said higher temperatures could also cut labour productivity, particularly in construction and agriculture, causing wage losses estimated at more than THB44 billion (US$1.2 billion) each year as workers are forced to reduce outdoor activity.
Extreme heat has already had measurable health impacts. Data compiled by the Thai health ministry shows that more than 200 people died from heatstroke between 2019 and 2024, with most victims being middle-aged men engaged in outdoor work or activities. Such cases often occur during prolonged heat exposure combined with dehydration or underlying health conditions.
Children are also increasingly vulnerable. Children’s rights agency UNICEF estimates that more than 10 million children in Thailand are exposed to extreme heat conditions, warning that rising temperatures can affect learning, physical development and long-term health.
Thailand is not alone in facing increasingly dangerous temperatures across the region.
Schools in neighbouring Cambodia and Laos have also temporarily closed during extremely hot periods in recent years, as temperatures soared above seasonal averages and raised concerns about student safety.
In Vietnam, heatwaves have strained electricity supplies as air-conditioning demand surged, prompting warnings about potential power shortages during peak summer months.
Meanwhile, parts of Malaysia and Singapore have recorded some of their warmest years on record in the past decade, according to national meteorological agencies.
Scientists say the region is particularly vulnerable to extreme heat because of its tropical climate and high humidity levels, which can make temperatures feel significantly hotter than the actual readings and increase the risk of heat-related illness.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that Southeast Asia is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves in the coming decades as global temperatures continue to rise, placing growing pressure on urban infrastructure, public health systems and outdoor workers.
