Consumption hit a new high at 29,004.6 megawatts yesterday, the fourth peak so far this year. The peak occurred at 2.13pm when the average temperature across the nation was 38.1 degrees Celsius.

Electricity consumption could break that record some time this week, possibly going as high as 29,200MW, Egat governor Soonchai Kumnoonsate said.

Given Thailand’s installed capacity of 32,000MW, the forecast demand leaves power reserves at about 8.7 per cent.

Egat is prepared to boost generating capacity but it urged the public to conserve power for one hour between 2pm and 3pm every day until May 20.

Soonchai said this week’s predicted peak in consumption could be the last of the year as demand should drop during public holidays next month.

Meanwhile, Thailand expects the wet season to start in mid-May, which should bring down temperatures and reduce power use.

Weather Department chief Wanchai Sak-udomchai said the temperature in the capital and nearby areas was not as high as expected despite the sun’s position directly overhead in the sky.

“It’s because Bangkok is so cloudy, which helped to filter the heat from the sun,” he said.

At 12.16pm yesterday, people were seen standing outside to test reports on whether they could see their own shadow as the sun was directly overhead. It was the first time the sun has been in this position relative to Thailand this year.

Wanchai said Thailand would suffer another two weeks of hot weather. He forecast that southerly winds would help to bring down the mercury after that.

The wet season should begin around the third week of May, he said.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department issued a warning for the public to be cautious and avoid areas near big trees, billboards or unstable buildings that could be damaged during summer thunderstorms which will bring gusty winds to the East, North, Northeast and Central regions from tomorrow until Saturday.