THE MERCURY in the northern province of Sukhothai, Thailand’s former capital, has shot to 44 degrees Celsius, the highest the province has ever registered in April, and nearing the highest ever recorded in the country of 44.5 degrees in Uttaradit.

Weather forecasters have warned people against staying in the sun too long given the risk of potentially fatal heat stroke.

Because of a low-pressure zone covering the upper part of Thailand, many provinces have witnessed record-breaking temperatures this month. Lampang’s Thoen district on April 7 saw the mercury rise to 43.2 degrees.

On Monday and yesterday, the highest temperatures in Thailand were recorded in Sukhothai’s Sri Samrong district, Kanchanaburi at 43.5 and Nakhon Ratchasima at 43.2.

Some provinces saw temperatures this year at the same level as record highs 58 years ago, when Kanchanaburi saw temperatures rise to 43.5 degrees on April 29, 1958.

Temperatures in Sri Samrong broke the record from last year in line with weather-bureau predictions of 44 degrees for the latter half of the month.

Forecasters also predicted that temperatures would notch up 1 more degree yesterday. Surapong Saratpa, of the Thai Meteorological Department, warned people to be careful during Songkran, from today until Friday. If the mercury exceeds 44.5 degrees, as recorded in Uttaradit in 1958, a new record will be set after 58 years.

Summer storms

Chatchai Promlert, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general, also warned people to brace for summer storms from now through Sunday, especially those in 47 provinces in the North, Northeastern and Central regions.

Meanwhile, a man who collapsed and died in Phitsanulok’s Bangrakam district probably succumbed to the heat, police said.

The body of Denchai Thongpak, 47, a resident of Bang Rakam district, was found yesterday lying face up in the middle of a rice field. He was not wearing a shirt, his eyes were wide open, and there was no evidence of foul play. Police said he had died within the previous 12 hours.

His wife, Somnuk Petam, 41, said her husband had left home, telling her that he would go fishing, and when she went looking for him after nightfall, she found him 3 kilometres from home. She added that Denchai did not have any known health issues.

Police believe Denchai suffered fatal convulsions due to heat stroke after walking in the sun, and that an autopsy would be conducted although his family did not suspect foul play.

Thada Satta, director of the Phitsanulok Weather Bureau, warned people against heat stroke and staying in the sun too, adding that temperatures in the province were expected to hit 42 degrees.

Weather forecasts show a hot low-pressure zone covering upper Thailand, bringing high temperatures and haze during the day in the North, Northeast and Central regions.

From yesterday until Friday, southerly winds are expected to bring humidity from the South China Sea to cover the North, Northeast and Central regions with gusty winds and rainstorms in some areas.

From Saturday until Monday, a confluence of westerly and southeasterly winds will prevail over the North, Northeast, Central and East regions leading to thundershowers with gusty winds in some places.

Climatological Centre director Chalalai Jamphon yesterday revealed that this summer would be hotter than the previous year. The average high temperature in April will be 43 to 44 degrees Celsius, within range of the record 44.5 degree Celsius recorded in 1960.

“As per our prediction, the southerly and southwesterly winds would cover all areas of Thailand and result in hot weather during day time, especially in the North and Northeast. The mean temperature in March is around 40 to 41 degrees Celsius, but many areas have encountered weather hotter than 40 degrees Celsius already,” Chalalai clarified.

She said the weather will become hotter in April, as the mean temperature for the North and Northeast will rise to around 43 to 44 degrees Celsius and there is the possibility of the highest temperature ever recorded in Thailand – 44.5 degrees Celsius in Uttaradit in April 1960 – being surpassed.

‘Hotter summer this year’

“However, predictions in the next few weeks should reveal the temperature estimates for April, but it is now clear that the weather during this summer will be hotter than last year,” she said.

According to the Meteorological Department, the highest temperature recorded last year was 43.1 degrees Celsius at Sukhothai |in April. Bangkok’s hottest |day saw the mercury rising to 39.8 degrees Celsius, also in April.

Chalalai ruled out any threat to life from the heat wave compared to countries with colder climate such as in Europe and North America.

“Thailand has a tropical |climate, which is affected by the hot weather every year, |so it is different from the |colder countries where sometimes extraordinary hot weather can claim lives,” she explained.

“Thai people are familiar with the hot temperature, so there will be less effect on the local people. This summer, people should keep themselves cool and drink more water to prevent dehydration.”

She, however, cautioned that because of the severe drought faced by the country, people should not waste |water in their attempts to keep cool.