NATURAL HAZARDS IN THAILAND...

We will talk about natural hazards and also about other major risks even if they are not properly classified as natural hazards, we'll name them general risks.

NATURAL HAZARDS

There are mainly 3:

- The tsunami

- Typhoons and floods

- Earthquakes

 
The tsunami
They are rare but unfortunately, and we have the memory of it, it happens.

The major tsunami of 2004, ranked in the 100 greatest natural disasters of history reminds us.

 
The Southeast Asia zone is an area with high seismic activity and even if the earthquakes do not directly affect Thailand their induced effects, such as the tsunami, are a risk that exists.Since then, measures have been taken and all areas in Thailand that may be potentially affected include precise signs (marking in blue) that will allow the fastest areas to be won in the event of an alert.

At the global level, better risk detection also allows for better anticipation to inform more quickly.

 
Earthquakes

They are not rare but fortunately not destructive.

As far as the country is a seismic zone and one day one can not exclude a major earthquake.
 
In 2014 an earthquake of 6.3 magnitude was felt in the Chiang Rai area, on the border with Burma and Laos (Golden Triangle).
The slabs of the Chiang Rai terminal have fallen, rushing passengers waiting for their flight outside.
Some roads have collapsed between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.
The quake was felt throughout the northern part of the country but there was only materials damage.
 
Typhoons, severe tropical thunderstorms and floods

This risk is more important and more frequent than the previous two.

Climate change is also felt with a higher frequency of typhoons and an increase in their intensity.
Classically Typhoons (still called cyclones) are usually more common in marine areas, the typhoon drawing are energy in warm waters.

However, and more and more typhoons are found in areas farther from the sea.

Thailand with its wide sea openings is particularly exposed and even the northern provinces are not spared. 

 
The risks are various orders:

1) During the typhoon or tropical storm

Risk of falling trees or various wind-driven objects for people outdoors

Lightning risk that may fall on a tree where people are sheltering
Risk of wind-related fall for the two wheels
Risk of road accident
 
2) After the typhoon or tropical storm

Flood hazards that may occur due to very high rainfall over a very short period of time

 
Severe flooding has already caused heavy casualties in Thailand.

As far as the countryside is concerned, there are many dwellings located near rivers and rivers and in rural areas many of these habitats are not built to withstand the fury of the floods.

In urban areas, especially in Bangkok, surface mineralization does not allow water to seep in and the drainage system is not able to absorb a sudden and important flux.
 
It should also be noted that in order to preserve Bangkok, the valves located on the major waterways remain closed often, this to prevent the capital from having to face an even greater influx, which unfortunately only increases the Problem of all those who are upstream.
Risks associated with the consequences of flooding
They are of various order but we can cite some of them:

-The practice of caving which is dangerous in times of heavy rains, even with a guide.

- Waterfalls and waterfalls that are strong tourist areas and where landslides can take place

frequently.

- The multiplication of stagnant water areas where insects and snakes can proliferate,

particularly in rural areas.

- The fragility of habitats in areas near the waterways that may present a hazard.

 GENERAL RISKS

Road risk

It will never be remembered enough but Thailand is a high risk country on the road and especially for the 2 wheels and it is (according to international classifications), the 1st or 2nd in terms of number of deaths on the road, 75% of these being represented by the 2 wheels.

The causes are multiple, but one can mention the absence of helmets, non-standard helmets, excessive speed, the alcoholisation of drivers and the absence of a real driving licence.
 If you are riding in Thailand be careful, drive slowly and do not drink before driving knowing that it is always better to take public transportation or taxis and tuk tuk, especially when one does not experience the local driving.

The dangers associated with the sea
 
Sunstroke and sunburn. This danger is too little underlined and yet it is a major danger.
 
Indeed in Thailand The UV index is extremely high and few tourists are informed so that there is a very high number of "major" sunburn with second or third degree burns.
If you go to the beach, hydrate yourself properly and drink frequently, even if you are not thirsty.
If you go to the sun go there covered or then smear you copiously with sunscreen with a very high index.
 
Potentially dangerous sea creatures
Even if the clear and turquoise waters attract you (and rightfully so), know that they are not necessarily harmless and that, without dramatizing, you must be aware of some of its secrets.
 
* Jellyfish

They are frequent especially in the Andaman golf course.

Some, quite similar to those that can be encountered in the Mediterranean are certainly unpleasant because they cause painful bites to type of burns but are not dangerous, an application of vinegar or lemon juice will suffice to treat The lesions, the acidity neutralizing the venom.

 
On the other hand there is another variety of jellyfish called Cubo jellyfish (or jellyfish cans or sea wasps) that are responsible each year of a few dozen deaths.

They are recognized by their large parasol, about 20 centimetres in the shape of a cube, on which about 60 tentacles are attached, measuring a few centimetres to three metres.

 
The tentacles can inoculate a venom and the toxin can cause acute cardiovascular shock by paralysis of the respiratory and cardiac muscles.

The attainment of one of these jellyfish is a medical emergency comparable to a venomous snake bite.

* The Sea Serpent
It is mainly about divers but sometimes not to be in contact with swimmers who do not dive.
 
This snake is not aggressive but you cannot rule out the possibility of putting your foot on it or doing more by approaching it without seeing it.

It is also a medical emergency because its venom is very toxic because it causes progressive muscular paralysis.

 
* The sting lines
They are not aggressive but inadvertently setting foot on it is always an eventuality.

In case of Sting death is very rarely deadly but it is necessary to be hospitalized to avoid
any problem.

Snakes and insects

 

- Snakes

Of about 160 species of snakes listed, some 50 are venomous.

On this, no panic, the serpent is a frightening creature and is not aggressive if one does not seek it.

It is enough, in the countryside, and this as in Europe where venomous varieties are also numerous, to tap feet and make noise not to meet them because they will flee.

In case of bite, of course, prevent relief and get hospitalized.

 

-The centipede

This animal has the annoying habit of hiding in shoes or bags, don place these in height or check the inside before putting on your hands or feet.

The sting is not dangerous (except for young children or allergic persons, in which case it is advisable to consult in a hospital setting).

In case of bite, paracetamol for pain and clean the wound...

 

- Scorpions

Frequent in the countryside there are two kinds.

The "big blacks" and the "Little Whites".

Whites would be more harmful than blacks but in both cases in case of sting there is no danger (except in case of allergy).

 

In case of bite it is enough to disinfect the wound.

 

 

- Mosquitoes

Obviously frequent throughout Thailand they are, it is known, at the origin of various pathologies including malaria, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya and Zika.

Certainly the risk exists but it is easy enough to protect yourself using effective repellents.

The risk is more important in the countryside but it should not be panicked because the

number of people infected each year in Thailand reported to the number of tourists is

relatively small but, indeed if you go to areas Rural, protect yourself.

Cover the body as much as possible especially early in the morning and at night and use repellents.