Kids, elderly at risk as several die from cold
- By: BANGKOK POST REPORTERS
- Published: 14/01/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
Emergency declared in 41 provinces
Fear of hypothermia as a cold snap grips much of the country, resulting in several deaths, has forced authorities to warn the elderly and children to wrap up warmly.
Hypothermia is rare in a mainly tropical country like Thailand and authorities say those most at risk can be caught unawares when temperatures plunge unexpectedly.
Since a cold spell blew in from China last weekend, seven people have died of hypothermia caused by prolonged exposure to cold air or cold water. The number of fatalities might increase if the cold spell persists, said Yuwaret Sitthicharnbuncha, deputy head of Ramathibodi Hospital's faculty of medicine.
Children and the elderly living in the North and the Northeast are most at risk of hypothermia since their bodies are unable to maintain their core temperature in such harsh conditions.
Wearing warm clothes, staying close to the heater or bonfire as well as drinking plenty of water is recommended as a precaution against hypothermia, she said.
Last year, a baby in the North died of hypothermia according to the Public Health Ministry. Babies less than a year old have particularly low immunity. Cold weather could strike the respiratory system and the heart and cause shock.
Travellers and outdoor enthusiasts enjoying camping, fishing and boating should take precautions against hypothermia, she warned.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry has declared 41 provinces emergency areas because of the cold weather. Fifteen provinces are in the North, 18 in the Northeast, six in the Central Plains and two in the East.
In Phrae, residents in tambon Sob Pak in Wang Chin district are getting warm bath water from the natural hot spring managed by the tambon administration organisation.
The Sob Pak tambon administration organisation has also provided bathing facilities at the site for the villagers.
In Buri Ram, which is experiencing its coldest weather in a decade, many families complain the blankets distributed by the provincial authorities are too thin.
Pan Thippirom, 78, of tambon Chum Hed in Muang district, said the blankets were too short and of substandard quality. They were too thin to keep people warm.
His family has had to light a bonfire outside their house at night.
Some families in the tambon are demanding the authorities investigate the distribution of the blankets.
The weather bureau in nearby Nang Rong district forecast the average temperature in many areas would remain below 10 degrees celsius in the next three days.
Suwan Yuenyong, a village head in tambon Chum Hed, said winter clothing was in short supply in some villages and he has sought assistance from the province.
The cold spell has forced some fishermen and vegetable growers to stay indoors.
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