Thailand warns of heatstroke risk amid hot season after 21 deaths recorded in 2025

Thailand's summer period typically runs from late February to mid-May. Read more at straitstimes.com.

BANGKOK - Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has warned the public to take extra care during the hot season, saying heatstroke remains a serious health risk that can be fatal, particularly for outdoor workers, older people and other vulnerable groups.

The warning comes as Thailand enters its summer period, which typically runs from late February to mid-May, bringing rising temperatures and a greater risk of heat-related illness.

Dr Montien Kanasawat, director-general of the DDC, said data from the Digital Disease Surveillance system showed there were 182 heat-related illness cases in 2025.

Most patients were male, accounting for 59.3 per cent of cases.

The largest group was people aged 15 to 34, with 78 cases or 42.8 per cent, followed by 29 people aged 60 and over, representing 15.9 per cent.

More than half of the cases involved people working outdoors, including soldiers and general labourers, highlighting the particular risks faced by those exposed to prolonged heat.