“Check Now! Which Areas Are at Risk of Heatstroke This Summer? Monitor the Hourly Heat Index via the LifeDee App”

Thailand officially entered the 2026 summer season on February 22. The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts that temperatures this year are expected to be higher than last year, potentially reaching 42–43°C in high-risk areas such as Mae Hong Son, Lampang, and Tak.

Although Thai people are familiar with hot weather, global temperatures have continued to rise over the past decade due to global warming. Urban areas are especially affected, as dense buildings restrict airflow while surfaces such as roads and concrete absorb and re-emit heat, contributing to the formation of a “Heat Dome” phenomenon. As a result, the Heat Index, or the temperature felt by the human body, becomes higher than surrounding areas, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses and heatstroke.

Currently, a team of researchers from GISTDA has developed a system using MODIS satellite data to monitor temperature and humidity across Thailand. The data are integrated with ground-based meteorological stations operated by the Thai Meteorological Department and processed using AI and Machine Learning to enhance accuracy at the surface level. The results are displayed as a Heat Index map of Thailand through the “LifeDee” application, developed in collaboration with the Department of Health, to support health risk surveillance and prevent life-threatening heat-related illnesses.

The LifeDee application displays the Heat Index in four color-coded levels to assess health risks associated with prolonged outdoor exposure:

- Level 1 – Green (27.0–32.9°C) | Caution
Possible symptoms include fatigue, headache, heat rash, heat edema, muscle aches, and heat cramps.

- Level 2 – Yellow (33.0–41.9°C) | Warning
Increased risk of heat exhaustion and heat cramps, with the potential to develop heatstroke.

- Level 3 – Orange (42.0–51.9°C) | Danger
High risk of heat cramps and a significantly increased risk of heatstroke with prolonged exposure.

- Level 4 – Red (≥52°C) | Extremely Danger
Very high risk of heatstroke and life-threatening heat illness.

In addition to heat risk alerts, the LifeDee application allows users to instantly locate “heat-safe zones” and provides important health and environmental information on a single platform, including:

- PM2.5 and Air Quality Index (AQI)

- Respiratory disease information

- Hourly weather updates

- Maps of nearby healthcare facilities and public services for people with disabilities

- A nearby parks search feature to help users find suitable places to rest, minimize heat exposure, and avoid high-risk heatstroke zones.

- Hourly Heat Index graphs and forecasts for safer daily planning.

Stay informed and stay safe this summer. For those interested, the “LifeDee” application is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

App Store https://apps.apple.com/th/app/lifedee/id6453761183?l=th
Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=th.or.gistda.lifedee