Heat waves to hit Thailand during Songkran festival

Taronga Zoo staff feed Tukta, a five-year-old Asian Elephant after she was painted to celebrate the Songkran festival, Thailand's New Year in Sydney, April 13, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

BANGKOK - Thai weather forecaster has warned that weather temperature will be over 40 degrees during water-splashing Songkran festival, which begins on Wednesday, when large number of visitors across the world are expected to visit Thailand.

According to a statement posted by Thai Meteorological Department, the weather in the Thai capital Bangkok would be hot to very hot with haze during the day throughout the festival, as the maximum temperature may climb to near 40 degrees Celsius.

Other parts of Thailand are also very hot as the forecast said the maximum temperature in most areas of Thailand are 40 degrees or even above, especially in the North, where the temperature may climb to 44 degrees, as the heat low pressure covers upper Thailand.

The highest temperature ever recorded in the country is 44.5 degrees in the northern province of Uttaradit in 1960, but temperature in the Sukhothai province in recent days has already shot to 44 degrees, nearing the record set.

Weather forecasters have asked people not staying in the sun for too long given the risk of potentially fatal heat stroke.

A man was found died Tuesday in Phitsanulok's Bangrakam district probably due to the heat, Thai media the Nation reported on Wednesday.

Besides the heat, the weather forecast statement also warned people of the gust and hail, especially in the Northern and Northeastern areas, suggesting them keeping off unsecured building.