BANGKOK – The month of May marks the start of the rainy season in Thailand, bringing much-needed relief from the intense heat from the previous. However, the extreme weather has already made a negative impact on Thai people, including children.

In April, temperatures soared to 45 degrees Celsius in many areas. All 36 districts in Thailand’s 77 provinces recorded their highest temperatures in April, with 26 provinces experiencing temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius.

High temperatures are particularly tough on children. They need to stay indoors more and increased reliance on cooling methods, which can make it harder for them to study. Sudden weather changes, like unexpected storms, can also damage homes and buildings, making it difficult for many children to get basic services.

Heat waves, worsened by climate change, are a serious health risk for children. They have a harder time cooling down their bodies compared to adults. More heat waves mean higher chances of health problems like asthma, respiratory diseases, and heart issues. Infants and young children are especially at risk of heat stroke.

Even after the hot summer, the monsoon season brings its challenges. Due to climate change, there is more rain than usual, and stronger storms often disrupt schools, especially in remote areas. Both droughts and floods hurt agriculture, which many families rely on for income. This affects their financial stability and can impact children’s education.

A recent UNICEF report highlights the seriousness of the situation, showing that millions of children worldwide are suffering from rising temperatures. The 2022 report, “The Coldest Year of the Rest of Their Lives: Protecting Children from the Escalating Impacts of Heatwaves,” says 559 million children are exposed to frequent heat waves, a number expected to rise to 2.02 billion by 2050.

In Thailand, the situation is particularly alarming. Most children face frequent heat waves, with more than 75 percent, or about 10.3 million children, affected by extreme heat in 2020 alone. By 2050, all children under 18 in Thailand are expected to experience more frequent and longer heatwaves.

A report by the Thailand Development Research Institute and UNICEF points out that children in Thailand are at high risk from climate change, including high temperatures, floods, and droughts. Children in provinces like Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sisaket, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Narathiwat are at the highest risk.

Echo of Provincial Youth

Asmanee Chesuemea, known as Mane, a 21-year-old third-year political science student at Thammasat University from Narathiwat. She was one of the youth a representative at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 28) in Dubai. Mane shared with Khaosod English that extreme weather changes, whether extreme heat or rainstorms, affect her family and neighboring communities also.

“Although the hot weather in the South is not as severe as in the Central Region, it still impacts the villagers’ lives. Some neighbors work as fishermen and have to go out to sea. As the weather gets hotter, the seawater warms, making it harder to find fish. The warmer sea also affects the marine ecosystem. During the rainy season, my province has many rubber plantations. When it floods, they can’t tap rubber, and there’s a risk of flooding and landslides that can damage schools. I’ve seen homes, including children’s textbooks, get damaged.”

Mane said, “Narathiwat is my hometown, and it’s one of the areas most at risk from extreme climate events, according to a UNICEF report. From my experience campaigning for environmental activities, I’ve noticed that most villagers’ houses are not built with strong materials. Floods or landslides cause significant damage to their homes and buildings. Worse, some families can’t afford to rebuild, disconnecting many youths from the education system. Many families leave to find work in Bangkok or Malaysia.”

Mane shared her experiences from environmental activities in the area. “I believe extreme climate change has a severe impact on each family’s household economy. Narathiwat has a predominantly agricultural population, with an average income of about 60,000 baht per person per year, which is very low compared to other southern provinces. More than 90 percent of the population are Thai Muslims, so many focus on making a living instead of climate change In some places, folks see extreme weather as part of God’s test, tied to their faith.

Reflecting on her experience at COP 28, Mane said it was exciting to participate in such a significant event. She saw the enthusiasm of many countries to address climate change, with nations pledging to reduce fossil fuel use to keep global temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, many factors make the future uncertain. Mane urges the Thai government to pay more attention to climate change and environmental issues, as they impact not only her hometown but also many areas across Thailand.

High Temp High Bills

It’s not just youth in the provinces who are affected by extreme weather conditions. Young people in Bangkok are also feeling the impact. Tawan Bunpool, an 18-year-old girl living in the Pracha Uthit area of Thung Khru Subdistrict, Thonburi, shared her experience with Khaosod English. This past summer, her home was directly affected by the heat. Her family’s financial situation meant they couldn’t afford an air conditioner, despite temperatures in Bangkok reaching nearly 43 degrees Celsius.

“Even though our house is made of cement, it’s a one-story house with a tile roof, making it very hot inside during the summer. There are six of us living together, including small children and elderly people, so it’s quite difficult both during the day and at night. We have several fans running during the day, but they don’t do much to cool things down. At night, even with cooling powder, it still feels hot and stuffy. I often can’t fall asleep until almost 2 a.m.”

Tawan, who works at a fast food restaurant six days a week and studies in a non-formal education program on Sundays, admits that both the summer and rainy seasons are tough. “In the summer, our electricity bill is much higher. Normally, we pay about 500-700 baht, but in the summer, it goes over 1,000 baht. All of my family members have to work to pay basic expenses. During the rainy season, our home alley often floods, making it difficult to get to work and school. Heavy rains sometimes damage the roof, adding to our problems.”

When asked the extreme weather has any effect on making life better?, Tawan noted that living in an urban area makes it easier to find work compared to youths in the provinces, where families rely on agriculture and are more directly affected by weather conditions. However, she believes that extreme weather significantly impacts her lifestyle and health. “The intense heat can affect your health, and rainstorms make city life, which is already challenging, even harder.”

Bumpy Future

Only 2.4% of major global climate funds are dedicated to helping children, as found in a 2023 study by the Children’s Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) coalition, which includes Plan International, Save the Children, and UNICEF.

This lack of funding not only makes children more vulnerable but also keeps their voices from being heard in important discussions about climate change.

“As our world gets hotter, it’s crucial for governments, communities, and individuals to work together. We need to make sure that everyone can live in a safe environment,” said Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative for Thailand. “By investing in strong buildings that can withstand climate challenges, eco-friendly services, sustainable practices, and giving children a say in decisions, we can create a future where they can grow up safely.”

Heatwaves are just one part of the bigger climate crisis we’re facing, Kim added. “As we navigate this uncertain path, we must remember our duty to protect future generations. We must strive for a sustainable future where every child can live in a world that’s ready for climate change.”

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