☀️🔥 How Thais Beat the Heat: Summer Life, Fun & Food in Thailand

When the temperatures rise in Thailand, life doesn’t slow down — it shifts. It adapts. It thrives. Thai people have mastered the art of living with the sun, humidity, and tropical downpours, turning summer into a season of flavor, fun, and fluidity.

Whether you're planning a future trip or just daydreaming from Belgium, let’s take you on a journey through a real Thai summer.

🌡️ What’s Thai Summer Like?

July in Thailand is deep into the “rainy season” (which also overlaps with summer). You’ll find a tropical blend of:

• Heat: Average temperatures range between 30°C to 36°C, especially in the Central Plains and Northern Thailand.

• Humidity: The air feels thick, especially in cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Ayutthaya.

• Rain: Sudden afternoon downpours are common — often dramatic, then gone in an hour.

But don’t let the rain fool you. This is a lush, vibrant time of year. Fields are green, waterfalls are full, and everything smells like wet earth and fresh herbs.

💦 How Locals Stay Cool & Entertain Themselves

Thai people don’t retreat from summer — they move with it. Here’s how daily life transforms:

🛍️ 1. Evening & Night Markets Take Over

When the sun dips, cities and villages come alive. Street vendors set up stalls, musicians play by the sidewalk, and families stroll with iced teas in hand.

Famous markets this time of year include:

• Chiang Mai’s Sunday Night Walking Street (art, street food, music)

• Rot Fai Market in Bangkok (hipster vintage vibe + beer & bites)

• Local temple fairs, often tied to Buddhist Lent

🏖️ 2. Nature Escapes

In summer, locals love short weekend trips to beat the heat. Popular escapes include:

• Cooler highlands (like Chiang Rai or Mae Hong Son)

• Rainforest waterfalls in Kanchanaburi

• Beaches like Hua Hin, where summer showers are brief

Many Thais opt for low-key relaxation — hammocks, iced coconuts, and river rafting.

🍹 3. Cold Drinks & Cooling Rituals

Every corner store sells:

• Nam manao (lime soda)

• Cha yen (Thai iced tea)

• Grass jelly drinks

• Iced chrysanthemum tea

Cooling is more than physical — it’s part of the yin-yang balance in Thai healing culture. Heat must be balanced with cooling foods, drinks, and behaviors.

🍽️ What Do Thais Eat in Summer?

Thai cuisine shines brightest in the heat — spicy, tangy, aromatic, and refreshing. Meals are chosen to cool the body, boost energy, and balance digestion.

🌶️ Must-Try Thai Summer Dishes:

1. Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)

Spicy, sour, crunchy, and served chilled. A go-to dish in every household and roadside stall. Often eaten with sticky rice and grilled chicken.

2. Khao Chae (Rice Soaked in Icy Scented Water)

This elegant royal dish is only served in summer. The rice is served in chilled jasmine water and paired with savory-sweet condiments like shredded pork, stuffed peppers, and fried shrimp paste balls.

3. Nam Tok (Grilled Meat Salad)

Served at room temperature, mixed with herbs, lime juice, and toasted rice powder. It’s spicy and bright — perfect for the heat.

4. Tropical Fruits Galore

• Mangoes

• Watermelons

• Pineapples

• Mangosteens

• Rambutans

Often eaten fresh, blended into smoothies, or frozen into sorbets.

5. Thai Iced Desserts

Try:

• Tub Tim Grob (Water Chestnut Rubies in Coconut Ice)

• Lod Chong (Thai pandan noodles with crushed ice)

• Sticky rice with mango

🧘‍♀️ Cultural Ways of Coping With the Heat

Unlike the West, where people power through heatwaves, Thai culture encourages going with the flow:

• Midday naps are normal — stores often close 1–3pm.

• Temples offer shade, calm, and reflection during hot afternoons.

• Fans, sarongs, and herbal powders (like cooling talcum) are daily essentials.

• People dress loose, bathe often, and drink herbal teas to maintain balance.

✨ So... What Can You Learn from a Thai Summer?

A Thai summer teaches you to:

• Eat foods that serve your body in the season.

• Adapt your schedule with the rhythm of the day.

• Celebrate the little joys — like rain on a hot afternoon or mangoes after a spicy salad.

• Slow down and savor.

🏡 Bring Thai Summer to Your Home

Can’t make it to Thailand just yet? Here are some ways to create the vibe from Belgium:

• Cook a Som Tam or spicy salad for lunch

• Drink Thai iced tea with crushed ice outside in the garden

• Burn lemongrass or coconut incense and play some Thai lo-fi music

• Host a tropical fruit tasting night

• Try cold rice paper rolls with Thai-style dipping sauce

💬 Let’s Talk!

Tell us in the comments:

🌴 Have you ever experienced summer in Thailand? 🍽️ What’s your favorite dish to eat in the heat? 🧳 Where’s your next dream tropical getaway?

👇 We’d love to hear from you!