The hot weather, currently affecting many parts of Thailand, is being caused by persistent low pressure cell, according to Somkuan Tonjan, head of the Central Weather Forecast Sub-division of the Thai Meteorological Department. It does not qualify as a “heat wave”, which is an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year, which may be accompanied by high humidity.

He dismissed as inaccurate a foreign media report that the worst heat wave in history is currently threatening India, China, Thailand and Laos.

As Thailand is in the middle of the dry season, Somkuan said there is a likelihood that temperatures may rise as high as 43oC, especially the central region.

He admitted that the weather this year may exceed 40oC onaverage, particularly during Songkran when temperature shot up to 44.6oC in Tak province on April 15th, which is on par with the record heat in April, 2016.

He warned, however, that Thailand may experience another round of hot weather in June, due to the moderate El Nino phenomenon which will bring less rain to the country this year.