A Government House source said the premier feared the high temperature forecast by Thai Meteorological Department today may cause health issues for senior officials.

Presiding over a seminar on Thai digital government vision, Prayut said that the weather is expected to be very hot especially in the afternoon.

The Office of the Prime Minister’s Secretary-General was concerned that hot weather could have detrimental effects on officials participating in the session, according to Government Spokesman Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

However, Sansern said Prayut had said the agencies should use their discretion on whether to perform the exercises considering the weather, as Thailand officially entered its summer season on March 3.

Since December, the exercise sessions have been led by Prayut, including aerobic dancing, soccer, table tennis, and many more activities on an open field in front of the Thai Khu Fah building.

The sessions are carried out in other government agencies nationwide every Wednesday at 3 pm as part of Prayut’s initiative to promote good health among Thai people.

Sansern also claimed earlier that the World Health Organisation had praised Prayut for leading the exercise regime.

In January, Pramern Krairos, director of Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district, died after suffering a heart attack while leading district officials in exercises in accordance with the prime minister’s policy.