#Heatstress

A recent international study suggests that not drinking enough water can amplify the body’s stress response, releasing higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol even when people do not feel thirstier. The finding adds a new dimension to the long-standing emphasis on hydration, especially in hot climates and during physically demanding days. For Thai readers, the news arrives at a time when heat waves, outdoor activities, and seasonal celebrations such as Songkran heighten daily exposure to dehydration risks. It underscores why simple, everyday hydration could matter more for mood, focus, and physical performance than previously appreciated.

Heat waves are intensifying, putting outdoor workers and those in inadequately cooled spaces at rising risk. New research raises urgent questions about when it becomes too dangerous to work, calling for stronger protections, better awareness, and practical measures tailored to Thai realities.

Around the world, extreme heat is a daily hazard for millions, including many in Thailand’s agriculture, construction, markets, and informal sectors. In July 2025, heat waves disrupted activities from Europe to Asia, with Greece restricting outdoor work and closing sites as temperatures climbed above 40°C. These events underscore the immediacy of heat risk for Thai workers who endure sun exposure with limited cooling and protective measures. Thailand’s economy relies heavily on outdoor labor and informal employment, making heat safety a national priority.

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.