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A Guide to Surviving the Summer Heat in Thailand
Thailand is a tropical paradise but the heat during its summer season can be too overwhelming for you if you don’t know how to deal with it. Thriving despite the country’s heat is what the locals have mastered and you can do it too if you try!
There are a few steps you can take to survive Thailand’s out-of-this-world heat and we’ve listed them down below. Read on to find out more!
How to Survive Thailand’s Summer Heat
If you want to survive Thailand’s hot temperatures, you have to carefully plan things for one to two weeks while you eventually adjust to the country’s hot tropical climate.
Some essential steps to take involve choosing the right clothes, staying hydrated, and gradually increasing the time you spend in the heat to build resistance.
That’s not all, though! We’ve broken down the steps below to make it easier for you to overcome Thailand’s summer heat!
Step 1: Plan your activities for the day
Mornings and evenings are generally the best times to engage in outdoor activities and this holds true not just for Thailand but in all countries across the globe. Hence, the first step to surviving Thailand’s summer heat is to plan your schedule for the day.
It’s important for you to be an early bird or a night owl during these situations as mid-day and late afternoon can bring peak heat levels in the country.
If you’re planning to go shopping, swimming, or hiking, then you might schedule those activities either early in the morning or late in the evening.
You also need to schedule your workouts or exercise routines early in the day or late at night. This is to ensure that you limit your exposure to the stinging heat of the afternoon sun which can lead to dehydration, heatstroke, and sunburn.
Step 2: Wear light and loose clothing
After planning your day ahead, the next step is to wear light and loose clothing.
It goes without saying that you have to wear appropriate clothing depending on your scheduled activities but the general rule is to wear clothes that will help you keep cool throughout the day!
This means clothes made from light material and those that aren’t too snug or too tight. We also highly recommend that you go for cotton for better airflow between the fabric and your skin– trust us, your sweat will dry up faster if you have a cotton shirt on.
Aside from cotton, you can also go for linen as this lightweight fabric will help you feel fresher even when it’s hot outside.
It’s also best that you wear light-coloured clothes as these don’t absorb sunlight. Instead, it reflects and deflects sunlight making it the cooler option compared to dark shades of fabric.
While you may be tempted to wear nothing at all or to wear skimpy clothes, we discourage you from doing so.
Thais don’t like it when other people show too much skin and local customs dictate that you observe wearing appropriate clothes especially when in temples.
Step 3: Stay hydrated
Your clothes may help you cool down but with such hot weather in the country, you also need to make sure that you stay hydrated. If you plan on heading outside, make sure that you bring your own bottled water or water container.
We also recommend going for plain water as certain drinks like sodas, caffeine, and alcohol can have a diuretic effect which can slow down your hydration or worse, lead to dehydration.
Keep in mind that the recommended intake of water per day is at 1.9 litres depending on your weight or size. You should also always be on the lookout for signs of dehydration such as fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches, and dark urine.
Fluids lost during the summer season can also lead to you losing some of your body’s electrolytes and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, and sodium.
To replace these important electrolytes and minerals we recommend drinking a glass of fruit juice instead of sports drinks and electrolyte replacement products. Going all-natural is better for you than drinking all of that sugar from these sports drinks.
Step 4: Take shelter indoors
Sometimes, you might have to take shelter indoors to stay away from the extreme heat of the Thailand summer. Thankfully, there are a ton of places to take shelter in in case you need to!
When in Thailand, you’ll probably get the chance to visit a local market or walk the street in the middle of the day. These places can be stuffy and warm, which can lead to extreme discomfort on your part, especially during hot summer days.
If ever you experience something like this, head to a nearby shopping mall where you can effectively cool off thanks to their air conditioning units. It doesn’t even need to be a shopping mall as a 7-11 can provide some cooling if you feel too warm or hot.
You might also be in the mood to experience something chilly and if so, you can head down to any cinema in Thailand. Most theatres here are so cold that you’ll have to bring a jacket to avoid freezing over.
Step 5: Use a floor or ceiling fan
While temporarily cooling down with a shopping mall’s air conditioning unit is a great way to avoid feeling too hot, it shouldn’t be your long-term solution, especially when at home. Air Conditioning can lead to dry skin and air passages which can cause stress.
Instead, we recommend using a floor fan or ceiling fan if you want to cool down for long periods. In fact, if you plan on staying cool while sleeping, we recommend turning on the air conditioning for just an hour and shifting to the floor fan throughout the night.
Locals and expats have been able to sleep without any air conditioning here by following this simple technique and you should be able to as well. You just need to get used to the said pattern of shifting from AC to fan and you should be good to go!
Step 6: Wipe your sweat off
Sweating in Thailand is inevitable and we guarantee you that you will sweat– a lot! This is normal as your body needs to keep normal temperatures but the important thing to keep in mind is to wipe your sweat off every chance you get.
You can bring a hand towel that’s dampened a bit to wipe your hands, nape, neck, and face if you get too sweaty. You might sweat more or less than others but it’s best to wipe this excess moisture on your skin to help you cool down faster.
Step 7: Go splashing when you can
Thailand is famous for its beautiful beaches, with white sands, and clear blue waters. It’s also well-known for its waterfalls, swimming pools, and waterparks.
These areas are a great way for you not just to have fun and relax but also to cool down after a long day of staying under the hot Thailand sun. There are other watersports activities you can try out as well if you really want to cool down.
Snorkelling and diving can be great and refreshing activities for you and your family which will give you not just adventure but also the chance to stay away from the summer heat of Thailand.
If you happen to be in Thailand during the Songkran Festival, then you’re in for a cool (literally!) treat. The entire country will turn into a giant water fight and everyone who gets zapped with water will surely feel the sweet and refreshing vibe of the festivities!
You can also do as the locals do and take a bath at least once or even multiple times a day if your schedule allows. You won’t only feel cool and refreshed but you’ll also be much more hygienic!
Step 8: Stay relaxed and calm
There’s a term in Thailand that means relax and it’s “Sabai”. Locals observe this word with special attention and will mostly mean don’t rush.
Staying calm and relaxed means you’re not rushing from one activity to the next which will also result in you feeling less stressed and less prone to feeling hot and sweaty.
In addition, if you’re able to stay calm and composed, you’ll get to enjoy everything Thailand has to offer. So stay sabai, take the opportunity to smell the flowers and enjoy what the rest of the day has in store for you!
