The main challenge people face is the constant heat. It is very important to not stay out in the sun too long without water because you can become dehydrated or sunburnt. Also, the abundance of heat helps bacteria and diseases grow and spread, so they have to watch out for their hygiene. Lastly, the Thais have to build and plan infrastructure to avoid flooding after heavy rain.
People have adapted to this hotter, humid environment by wearing fabrics that help the skin breathe, such as cotton and silk. Thais also socialize at night since the weather is relatively cooler then. During the day, people may use umbrellas to block out the sun! Technology such as air-conditioning has helped significantly because it keeps the weather more tolerable indoors. Interestingly, because it is so hot, not all parts of a building have AC. Instead, many buildings will have high ceilings, shade and an open design to allow airflow. The more compact rooms will have AC. This is why a typical Thai home has smaller rooms. Smaller rooms allow AC to work faster and more efficiently, just like the physical designs of non-AC buildings also allow cooler spaces. Most importantly, one of the reasons Thai foods are spicy is because it naturally prevents food-borne illnesses! Pretty neat, right?
