MONDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2026

Summer officially started yesterday here's what that means for you.

Good morning Bangkok. It's Monday, 25–36°C (77–97°F) today, PM2.5 averaging 36 µg/m³ (orange — nearing the safe limit, mask up outdoors), and hot season officially kicked off yesterday. The TMD is warning of summer storms through Tuesday: gusty winds, thunder, and possible hail. Welcome to the sauna. Here's what you need to know.

The Thai Meteorological Department officially declared summer started on Saturday 22 February, roughly two weeks later than usual. The forecast is blunt: average highs of 36–37°C across upper Thailand, with northern provinces like Mae Hong Son, Lampang, and Tak potentially hitting 42–43°C by late March. Bangkok won't escape — the urban heat island effect pushes city temps even higher than rural readings. The TMD has also issued a storm warning for 23–25 February: a cold air mass from China is colliding with the hot air sitting over the country, triggering thunderstorms, strong winds, and possible hail across Bangkok and surrounding provinces. After the storms pass, expect the mercury to climb again.

Bottom line: Two things to do today. First, keep an umbrella handy — afternoon storms are likely through Tuesday. Second, start thinking about your hot season setup: air purifier for the condo (Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier, 4,000–5,000 baht on Lazada), the IQAir app for real-time AQI by district, and hydration habits that go beyond your morning coffee. Peak heat is March–April. This is just the warm-up.

Police raided a home in Suan Luang district on Friday and found 500 cylinders of nitrous oxide — worth over 1 million baht — allegedly being stored and resold. A 54-year-old Chinese national was arrested mid-delivery, caught on a motorcycle with a shipping box containing two cylinders ready to go. The suspect told police he was paid monthly to handle storage and distribution. Laughing gas has been a persistent issue on Bangkok's party scene, particularly around Khao San Road, where balloons sell for 50–100 baht to tourists. Nitrous oxide is a controlled substance under Thailand's Drug Act — selling it without a licence is illegal.

Bottom line: If you've been offered a balloon on a night out, now you know the supply chain runs deeper than the street vendor. The crackdowns are getting more serious, and the health risks — oxygen deprivation, nerve damage, loss of consciousness — are real. Hard pass.

Kōkulabo — Siam Pathumwan House

A new modern izakaya that treats Japanese tradition as a starting point, not a limit. Open kitchen, intimate counter seating, cosy booths, and a beverage programme designed to help you discover new favourites. The vibe is "kōku" — that lingering depth and complexity you get from really well-made food.

TIP: Grab the counter seats at the open kitchen. Watching the chefs work is half the experience, and you'll get recommendations straight from the source.

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On 23 February 1893, Rudolf Diesel received a patent for the diesel engine in Germany. 133 years later, Bangkok's diesel-powered long-tail boats are still going strong on the Chao Phraya and probably will be for another 133 years, emissions be damned. Some things are just too chaotic to replace.

See you tomorrow morning. — Devon