As global heatwaves break records and Thailand faces ever more intense hot seasons, recent research is shining a stark light on a question more pressing than ever: When is it simply too dangerous to work? The health risks posed by heat stress are rising, while legal protections and public awareness lag behind the warming reality—a gap that presents major challenges for Thai workers, especially the millions laboring outdoors or in poorly cooled indoor environments.
The issue was brought to the fore by a new wave of articles (Euronews, Bangkok Post), eye-opening international reports, and occupational health research. July 2025 saw deadly temperatures across Europe and Asia, causing countries like Greece to close iconic sites such as the Acropolis and to temporarily ban outdoor work as thermometers soared past 40°C (Reuters). These events underscored how extreme heat is no longer an isolated phenomenon but a deadly and growing occupational hazard for millions worldwide.
In Thailand, a country where agriculture, construction, and numerous informal sectors make up the backbone of the economy, the topic matters deeply. With the majority of the workforce exposed to the elements—often with limited protection from heatwaves—the risk to both health and livelihoods is accelerating. According to recent assessments, more than 2.4 billion workers globally are exposed to extreme heat annually, a figure that includes a very large proportion of Thai workers (Bangkok Post).
Why should Thai readers care? The World Health Organization and International Labour Organization (ILO) are sounding alarms: Without decisive action on heat protections and awareness, both deaths and serious illnesses will keep rising. A recent event organized by Thailand’s Department of Labour Protection & Welfare (with ILO support) highlighted the urgency, as authorities, businesses, and unions discussed innovative technological and policy solutions for safeguarding workers (ILO).
But what exactly makes it “too hot” to work? Science points to several critical thresholds. The widely used measure is the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), which combines ambient temperature, humidity, wind, and sun exposure to estimate how hard it is for the body to cool itself during physical exertion. WBGT values above 28–31°C are classified as dangerous; above 32°C, all but the most light activity should cease, particularly in direct sunlight (Weather.gov, Wikipedia). In practical terms, these temperatures are now regularly exceeded during Thai summers, particularly for those working in the fields, on construction sites, as street vendors, or in unconditioned indoor spaces.
While some countries with strong labor protections have begun to legislate “stop work” thresholds, research cited by Euronews and international labor experts indicates that many governments—including Thailand—are still playing catch-up. For example, European nations like France and Spain set maximum safe work limits: for high-intensity work, these typically range from 29–31°C, with mandatory breaks, water, and shaded rest areas required. If temperatures or heat indexes push higher, work must stop altogether—especially in the absence of cooling measures or PPE adaptation.
Thailand has made strides, but significant gaps remain. The Labour Ministry’s latest initiatives include promoting safety training, distributing guidelines, and investing in digital heat monitoring tools as highlighted during its 2025 World Day for Safety and Health at Work event (ILO News). According to a department official, the government is “committed to promoting a safe and healthy working environment that embraces innovation while safeguarding workers’ rights.” These campaigns equip stakeholders with tools and knowledge, notably through ILO’s Heat Health at Work kits and AI-powered inspection systems.
However, these efforts are yet to fully address the risks faced by Thailand’s vast informal workforce. According to Project Syndicate and the Bangkok Post, nearly 90% of jobs in many low- and middle-income countries are informal; Thailand’s own informal sector remains highly vulnerable, with estimates ranging from 55–64% of the total workforce (Bangkok Post). Informal workers—market traders, street food vendors, waste pickers, and domestic workers—have little to no access to labor insurance, enforced breaks, or workplace cooling measures, and rarely benefit from national heat safety regulations.
What does heat stress actually do to the body? Medical research and workplace health studies confirm that heat stress causes both immediate and chronic harms (Wikipedia). Acute effects include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke (often fatal without fast treatment), and kidney problems like dehydration-induced acute kidney injury. Longer term, frequent heat exposure is linked to the development of chronic kidney disease—a quietly rising danger in agricultural communities from Nakhon Ratchasima to Udon Thani, echoing emerging scientific findings in Central America and South Asia (PubMed). In addition to direct illness, heat increases workplace injuries as dizziness and confusion set in—leading to more falls, accidents with tools, and traffic collisions among moto-taxi drivers or delivery workers.
Spotting the symptoms is critical. Early warning signs of heat stress include profuse sweating, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, irritability, disorientation, and muscle cramps (Euronews). If ignored, these can progress rapidly to heatstroke: hot, dry skin, confusion, unconsciousness, and internal organ failure. Medical experts strongly advise Thai workers, families, and employers to recognize these dangers. “If a worker shows confusion or collapse, this is a life-threatening emergency—call 1669 and move them to a cool, shaded area immediately,” urged a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health.
But the responsibility for prevention goes far beyond the individual. The need for robust policy, regulation, and workplace adaptation is urgent, experts say. A 2024 ILO policy review found that many countries still lack enforceable heat safety standards, even as global temperatures climb steadily. In Thailand, formal legal requirements for work stoppages or protected rest periods in extreme heat do not yet cover all worker categories—leaving massive numbers of daily wage earners legally unprotected (ILO SafeDay2025 Report).
Panelists at the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare’s 2025 event in Bangkok showcased digital innovations: heat hazard alert apps, AI-driven scheduling tools, and wearable sensors for outdoor workers. However, Dr. Yuka Ujita of the ILO cautioned that many gig and delivery workers, despite representing the boom of Thailand’s smart economy, “operate outside protection systems and are exposed to both environmental and psychological stressors.” She called for all technology solutions to “support—not supplant—human decision-making and well-being” (ILO News).
International experience offers clues for Thailand’s future policies. India’s attempts to create city-wide heat action plans show both promise and pitfalls: while some local governments adjusted outdoor work hours, gaps persist in enforcing measures for the informal sector (Bangkok Post). Global expert consensus now urges governments to:
- Establish enforceable WBGT, temperature, and humidity limits for all worker categories (including the informal sector)
- Mandate shaded rest areas, adequate hydration, and mandatory cooling breaks during high-risk hours
- Strengthen early-warning systems and public health outreach, using real-time weather data and multi-language communication
- Integrate occupational heat stress regulations into national climate resilience policies
- Provide income and medical support for informal and gig workers affected by lost work time due to heat
Key voices in Thailand’s labor community echo these recommendations. Several trade union leaders and occupational health officials, speaking without attribution as per local custom, emphasized the threat posed to migrant laborers and low-income Thais who may feel compelled to work despite heat dangers due to economic pressures. Recent studies call for “more comprehensive labour protection law to safeguard at-risk workers from hotter weather,” with a special focus on the needs of rural, migrant, and gig economy workers (Climate Finance Thai).
What can be done now, both at the policy level and for individuals on the ground? International Labour Organization and Public Health Ministry guidelines recommend a multilayered approach:
- Monitor the weather and WBGT readings daily—especially during March–June, when the Thai hot season peaks. If WBGT exceeds 28–31°C, consider canceling or rescheduling outdoor work.
- Plan strenuous activities for early morning or late afternoon, avoiding the midday heat.
- Enforce rotating rest breaks, ensuring shaded rest stations, ample drinking water, and access to oral rehydration salts.
- Adapt personal protective equipment for breathability and comfort; PPE designed for high heat is crucial, as standard uniforms can magnify heat stress (IOM Thailand Policy Brief).
- Educate all workers, supervisors, and families on heat illness warning signs and emergency first aid; post information in Thai, Isaan, Burmese, Lao, and Khmer reflecting the diverse workforce.
- For employers: adopt digital heat monitoring, rework schedules, and—above all—prioritize health over short-term output during extreme conditions.
Culturally, Thailand is a society that values community health, respect for authority, and the Buddhist ideal of “not causing harm.” These can be harnessed to support more robust communal and government responses. Faith organizations and local community groups can play vital roles in heat wave education and relief efforts—mobilizing neighbourhoods to deliver water, provide temporary shelter, and support vulnerable workers.
Looking forward, the combination of climate change, rapid urbanization, and shifts toward gig and platform-based work will only heighten the risks unless addressed head-on. Emerging research suggests that without new protections, productivity losses, economic damage, and public health costs could soar, undermining national well-being. Experts warn that “the future of work will be increasingly dangerous and uncertain, leaving millions of workers to face the brunt of the climate crisis” unless consensus-driven, systemic reforms are rolled out across the Thai labor market (Project Syndicate/Bangkok Post).
In conclusion, while individuals can and must take precautions, only systemic change—rooted in science, coordinated regulation, and inclusive policy—can safeguard Thailand’s workers in a warming world. Thai readers are urged to learn the signs of heat stress, insist on safe work conditions, advocate for policy reform, and spread awareness in their communities. Employers, officials, and citizen groups alike should push for enforceable heat safety rules, wider access to cooling and hydration, and targeted aid for those most at risk. In the heatwave era, resilience starts with awareness—and depends on collective action.
Sources: Euronews, Bangkok Post, ILO, Weather.gov, Wikipedia, IOM Thailand Policy Brief, Climate Finance Thai.