Thailand less prone to extreme weather conditions

Thailand is less prone to extreme weather conditions, but it still at risk of experiencing drought, flooding and high temperatures, according to the Climate Risk Index 2025.

Dr. Phirun Saiyasitpanich, director-general of the Department of Climate Change and Environment, said today that the Climate Risk Index 2025 report, commissioned by ‘Germanwatch’ and released on February 12th, shows that Thailand’s ranking has dropped from 9th to 30th place.

In 2022, the top ten countries worst affected by extreme weather conditions, such as storms, flooding and heat waves, were Pakistan, Belitz, Italy, Greece, Spain, Puerto Rico, the US, Nigeria, Portugal and Bulgaria.

Pakistan, said Dr. Phirun, was devastated by the worst flooding in its history, causing enormous economic damage and the loss of more than 1,700 lives. In Italy and Greece, heat waves of over 40oC killed many people and caused extensive wildfires.

Citing the report, he said that natural disasters from 1993 to 2022 resulted in the deaths of over 765,000 people and economic damage estimated at 4.2 trillion dollars worldwide, caused by more than 9,400 extreme weather incidents.

During that period, storms accounted for 35% of the natural disasters, 30% were heat waves and 27% were floods.

The report said that extreme weather conditions have become the new normal in countries like China, India and the Philippines.

As far as Thailand is concerned, Dr. Phirun said that the country’s ranking in 2025 means that it is less prone to extreme weather conditions and damage from natural disasters, partially thanks to improved efficiency in disaster mitigation and prevention.

Dr. Phirun warned, however, that Thailand must always be on the alert and prepared to cope with climate change, such as improving early warning systems, to be more precise, and communication systems, to allow the public easy access to information.

Meanwhile, Somkuan Tonjan, director of the Weather Forecast Division of the Meteorological Department, said that a temperature of 35oC for several consecutive days in many parts of the country is a sign that the dry season is starting.

The dry season this year will start about two weeks late and will last until mid-May. Maximum temperatures in northern and north-eastern regions are forecast to be up to 43oC, while in Bangkok, average temperatures will top out at 36oC, he said.