BANGKOK — Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has warned the public to take extra precautions during the country’s hot season, saying heatstroke remains a serious and potentially fatal health risk.
The warning comes as Thailand enters its summer period from late February to mid-May, when temperatures typically rise and heat-related illnesses become more common.
According to DDC Director-General Montien Kanasawat, data from the agency’s Digital Disease Surveillance system recorded 182 cases of heat-related illness in 2025.
Most patients were male, accounting for 59.3 percent of cases, while the largest age group affected was 15 to 34 years old, with 78 cases or 42.8 percent. Another 29 cases, or 15.9 percent, involved people aged 60 and above.
More than half of the cases involved outdoor workers, including soldiers and laborers, highlighting the risks faced by those exposed to prolonged heat.
The most common condition was heat exhaustion, which accounted for 62 cases or 34.07 percent. This was followed by heat syncope, with 43 cases (23.63 percent), and heat cramps, with 26 cases (14.29 percent).
Heatstroke, the most severe form of heat-related illness, accounted for 17 cases, or about 9.34 percent of the total.
The DDC also reported 21 heat-related deaths in 2025, with victims aged between 27 and 79 and an average age of 51. Of those who died, 18 were men and three were women, and around 28.5 percent were laborers.
Deaths were reported across 16 provinces, with the highest number recorded in Udon Thani at five, followed by Nakhon Ratchasima with two. Regionally, the Northeast accounted for 52 percent of deaths, followed by the Central and Western regions at 24 percent.
Health officials said 24 percent of those who died had underlying conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, while 67 percent of deaths occurred outdoors. Alcohol consumption was also identified as a risk factor.
April recorded the highest number of deaths, accounting for 57 percent of the total, as temperatures during the period can reach 41°C.
DDC officials warned that heatstroke occurs when the body is exposed to extreme heat—often above 40°C—and can no longer regulate its internal temperature. Symptoms include high body temperature, flushed skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness, and loss of consciousness.
Deputy Director-General Anek Mung-Om-Klang said high-risk groups include older adults, children, pregnant women, outdoor workers, athletes, and people with chronic illnesses.
Authorities urged the public to avoid outdoor activities between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., stay hydrated, rest in shaded areas, and wear light clothing. They also warned against leaving children or pets inside parked vehicles, where temperatures can rise dangerously within minutes.
The department advised anyone experiencing severe symptoms of heat-related illness to seek medical attention immediately to prevent life-threatening complications.
