Bangkok, 28 April 2025

Save the Children Thailand, a leading global child rights organization, has revealed alarming new evidence: children born today will face seven times as many extreme heat events over 40°C as previous generations. This increase does not only impact children’s physical health, but also disrupts their development, learning, and overall quality of life. International research and scientific data confirm that children around the world—including in Thailand—are facing ever more dangerous and frequent heatwaves [1].

As many Thai children remain on a long school break and spend most of their time at home or in their communities, Save the Children highlights that recent research (2024) [2] shows that between 1981 and 2019, both the frequency and duration of heatwaves in Thailand, especially in urban and metropolitan areas, have increased steadily. Bangkok and other major cities now experience longer and more intense heatwaves, including at night, which makes it even harder for children to recover, increasing their risk of dehydration and heat-related illness. Several studies have also found that areas with little tree cover and dense construction see much greater impacts on vulnerable groups—such as migrant children, stateless children, and those from low-income families. Evidence further indicates that children in middle- and lower-income countries like Thailand face rising risks of dehydration, heat shock, and skin diseases, with long-term effects on learning and development [2,3,4].

Save the Children calls on the government and relevant agencies to urgently develop policies to protect children from the dangers of heatwaves. This includes providing cooling areas and clean water sources in schools, early childhood centers, and communities, investing in more green spaces in urban schools and communities, and using satellite and local data to support early warning systems and targeted protection—especially during school breaks.

Health authorities should be supported to respond quickly to heat-related illnesses in children. The state should collaborate with civil society organizations to build understanding and deliver practical knowledge to children and caregivers, as well as advance laws and regulations specifically protecting children from heatwaves.

For parents and caregivers, Save the Children strongly emphasizes special care during this period: never leave children in vehicles or closed spaces without supervision, avoid outdoor activities during extreme heat, encourage children to drink water frequently even when they’re not thirsty, dress them in light-colored and breathable clothing, and monitor for warning signs such as reduced sweating, lethargy, loss of appetite, or vomiting. If these symptoms appear, seek medical help immediately. Stay up to date with heat advisories and explain to children why these precautions are needed and how they can help protect themselves.

Guillaume Rachou, Executive Director of Save the Children Thailand, said:“This year’s extreme heatwaves are affecting children more than ever. We urge all parents to pay close attention to their children—encouraging them to drink water frequently, stay in the shade, dress appropriately, and watch for any signs of illness. If any concerning symptoms appear, please seek medical attention without delay. For the government, we call for recognition of the seriousness of this threat and the urgent implementation of measures to protect children from heatwaves. This includes ensuring access to clean water, providing cool spaces in schools and communities, and sharing clear, practical information with every family. Every child deserves equal protection.”

References

1.     https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/media-and-news/2021-press-releases/climate-crisis-children-face-greater-impact-than-grandparents?utm_source=chatgpt.com

2.     https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378716384_Spatial-Multitemporal_Analysis_of_Heatwaves_in_Thailand_Discrepancies_between_In-Situ_Air_Temperature_and_Remote_Sensing-Derived_Land_Surface_Temperature

3.     https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lanwpc/PIIS2666-6065(24)00052-X.pdf

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09603123.2024.2328741