Highs over 40C: Severe heatwave grips Thailand

A heat wave has gripped large parts of Thailand, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40C.

Scorching heat has been affecting Thailand for over two weeks. In the central part of the country, highs above 40C have been recorded every day since the 21st March.

The city of Phetchabun, in the north of the country, saw the mercury rise to 42.3C on Thursday 6th April, with the thermometer reaching close to 42C on the following day too.

The islands are also experiencing sweltering heat, seeing temperatures widely over 30C and locally 35C. The authorities have issued health alerts, particularly for the elderly and people with pre-existing health conditions.

An end to the extreme heat wave is not yet in sight. Maximum temperatures to the middle of the month are expected to remain around, or above 40C in the hottest regions of the country.

Local thunderstorms may bring some respite, but even at night it will remain uncomfortably warm with figures barely dropping below 25C. While more bearable inland due to the dry air, it is worse due to the humidity at the coast.

April is considered the hottest month of the year across Southeast Asia. The highest temperature ever recorded in Thailand was in 2016 in Mae Hong Son province in the north, where the temperature soared to 44.6C.