Super El Niño to bring extreme heat and drought to Thailand

Thailand’s leading environmental expert Sonthi Kochawat has warned that the country is entering a Super El Niño phase, which will bring extremely hot weather and a prolonged dry season, leading to drought that could severely impact the agricultural sector.

He noted that outdoor temperatures yesterday and today averaged 38°C, and may reach 39°C. With relative humidity exceeding 60%, the heat index could rise to about 58.7°C—an extremely dangerous level that can lead to heatstroke.

Sonthi explained that the extreme heat may cause the body’s temperature to rise to 40°C within just 10–15 minutes of exposure to sunlight.

The body’s temperature regulation systems may fail, the skin may turn red and dry without sweating, and a person could lose consciousness, he said.

El Niño was detected in Thailand early this year, and there are signs that weather conditions could escalate into a Super El Niño in the second half of the year, Sonthi said, urging the government to prepare contingency plans for water management to ensure sufficient supply for both agriculture and consumption.

For the general public, he advised avoiding direct exposure to sunlight during periods of extreme heat.