People advised to avoid outdoor activities during midday heat

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is advising people living in the capital to avoid or reduce outdoor activities from 11am to 3pm today, due to the hot weather.

The BMA’s Environment Office reports that the heat index in Bangkok is forecast to reach the ‘warning’ level between 11am and 3pm today.

Vulnerable people, such as children under five, elderly people, pregnant women, sick or people with underlying diseases, obese people, those who have consumed alcohol and workers who have to work outdoors, are advised to remain indoors during the period and to see a doctor if they develop abnormal symptoms.

The heat index is generally divided into four main levels, based on the risk of heat-related illness. These levels correspond to increasing temperature and humidity combinations that affect human health.

The levels are:

· 27oC -32.9oC – Caution

· 33oC -41.2oC – Warning

· 42oC -51.8oC – Danger

· Over 52oC – Extreme danger