Bangkok Heatwave: How The Homeless Are Surviving Is Inspiring, Yet Worrying | An Unequal Heatwave

The month of April saw record temperatures in Bangkok, Thailand, with the heat index hitting 52 degrees Celsius. It has exacted a heavy cost, in very different ways, from the city’s most vulnerable as well as business owners.
Among the large homeless community in the Trok Sa-ke district, some of the able-bodied like Teera help fellow rough sleepers - many of them elderly and sick. They depend on the goodwill of volunteers, like the NGO Issarachon Foundation. Meanwhile businesswoman Saleena looks after 100 employees and deals with heatwave-damaged equipment, plus rocketing electricity bills.
WATCH MORE An Unequal Heatwave: How Asia’s Poor And Affluent Are Coping
India: • India’s Extreme Heatwa...
0:00 Bangkok heatwave hits the homeless
1:10 70-year-old homeless for 6 years
2:22 Businesswoman’s home and office compound
3:31 Homeless man takes care of friend
5:54 Volunteers bring food and first aid
7:00 Looking out for vulnerable homeless seniors
9:08 Rising costs of the heatwave
11:32 How the homeless stay cool
13:02 Solar powered solution?
14:25 Idea: Coupons for free showers
16:34 Idea: Open parks as escape from heat?
17:29 Teera’s uncertain future
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About the show: Amid a record heatwave, we follow affluent and poor families in Mumbai, Manila and Bangkok to see how means and access impact ability to cope. What solutions are needed to deal with future heatwaves?
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[@ShekaTV]

Teera is such a kind man...the fact that he is also homeless does not stop him from helping others. I pray he will receive a lot of assistance.

[@bellabernadette6787]

I admire the old man who takes care other homeless :")

[@sweetla4750]

He is literally an Angel on earth❤

[@solcester]

I find it inspiring and incredible how kind Mr Teera is, along with all the volunteers. I currently live in Sydney and rarely feel or see kindness by my society members. Not trying to compare but Mr. Teera is truly a gem.

[@saingmckinnon6631]

Even though he doesn't have much money and he has a big heart 💙

[@jasondaniels640]

The type of kindness and attitude we need in the world. Inspirational as you said.

[@saingmckinnon6631]

@@jasondaniels640 💙

[@jocosus3]

God bless Teera and the volunteers who help. I wish there was a way for me to donate money to help their situations.

[@thomasthetrainful]

Teera is such a kind hearted soul

[@retardedphyuphwe8026]

I don't think it's impossible. Just type in google search bar for 'ngos for homeless in Bangkok' or sth like that and the results will show with their bank accounts. 😊

[@sandrabentley8111]

There is details of the volunteer organization in the 'more' section above. You could Google them.

[@blackgrandpa7652]

Where there is a will there is a way 😮

[@cheryl5994]

MAY I ASK, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DONATE?

[@CoolGirl007]

Teera has a beautiful heart, may Buddha blessing them

[@ragsoh]

To all the volunteers, thank you for your service. Love from Singapore.

[@kathyinwonderlandl.a.8934]

🩵

[@markdowney620]

Mr Teera you Sir are an exceptional human being at at 70 most people in the West are already retired, your selfless acts and compassion for others fills me with pride how can I contact Mr Teera or the organisation I’m sure I would be happy to donate a large umbrella for him.

[@retardedphyuphwe8026]

If there is the will, there is absolutely the way. I don't think it's impossible.

[@sandrabentley8111]

See the 'more' section above for the name of the organization, you can Google them and then donate.

[@ricktandron3669]

The guy who donated the solar panel for Somsak's fan is a hero.

[@John-cc9my]

Very nice of them to help out the homeless people

[@user-of9qo2ie6t]

What a wonderful gentleman, helping,other elderly gentleman,GOD bless him.😊

[@mrnarason]

this is messed up, bless the old man of taking care of homeless

[@worldview2888]

STAY STRONG THAILAND!

[@melvynlee6807]

Teera has a place waiting for him in Heaven. hope he gets all the help he needs and get to a better place.

[@sanjithsathinadhan6547]

Some spend 1000's of bahts for drinks and girls, while some are struggling to make 20 baht for water and food. Only If the former group could at least donate 10% of that money to these NGOs going their way out to help the homeless, they should be able to reach more people in need. Hats off to all the volunteers helping out, you guys make a huge difference in the lives of many. Good job 👏👏👏

[@nzimalaya2011]

Its the states responsibility to look after its deprived and poverty stricken , whether people chose to donate or not is a personal choice, Thailand has one of the richest monarchy in the world, not to mention the enormous donations the temples receive, where is all that money going ? If the Thai government loved Western welfare system as much as they love western tourist dollars, such issues would have been solved !

[@space5776]

Hospital turning down a homeless blind woman ? What is happening to humanity? Heartless

[@aravindhrajgowda2446]

This is the same situation in the coastal cities like Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Where the temperature is 35-40 during summers but the humidity, which makes us fell like 52°C 🥵

[@suepilla7927]

Thank you for sharing this moving and inspiring story. Bless the volunteers and Teera for sharing their beautiful hearts. We all need to help in whatever way we can wherever we can even if it's only a drop in the bucket.

[@JMJ88-vw7sh]

Salute to this good samaritan , though one among them still he shines!

[@axnyslie]

I was in Bangkok last March when the heat index hit 46. I can't imagine how bad it is now with record heatwaves every day and no shelter for these people.

[@nzimalaya2011]

Wonder what is done with huge donations towards temples , all the billlions the monarchy stakes away, what a selfish world we live in .. very heart breaking !

[@ramatgan1]

The issue for Thailand is a rapidly ageing population. Thailand is getting old before it becomes rich.

[@alexgibb8406]

Lol. Singapore population is only 5 millions and they are rich . Thailand is 70 millions. It has nothing to do with population. Its all about corruption. Now the corrupters have no one working for them and they are in trouble

[@retardedphyuphwe8026]

You just parroting what you've heard exactly

[@helpanimals-]

it's not their fault. It is the mega rich who are the problem

[@rashminable]

Mr Teera is an angel

[@7477238]

Teera is an absolute gem.

[@alien13579]

aircond in thailand's shop are on the lowest temperature and on full blast all the time no matter rain or shine so if you ever go into a 7-11 during rain, it's like a winter wonderland in there

[@alexridervlogs5018]

Who and HOW to reach this amazing homeless guy ??? he deserves to be supported to make his incredible social job better, respect.

[@nuchzara97]

คุณลุงใจดีมากเลย อนุโมทนาค่ะ

[@tarunika983]

Never Knew Thailand facing Homeless Crisis and hitting poverty...oh god.. there's another side of Thailand beside Bangkok...

[@robertbest4398]

God bless teera and these not so fortunate people if i can help i would

[@nickphang2293]

Sending blessings to all the volunteers and to the elders! May Buddha protects u and guide u everyday till ur last day on Earth! 🙏🙏🙏

[@frankietatcanbearrange3874]

These are the more pressing issues in Thailand, the very poor, the government really can do more to help

[@apage1717]

Thailand almost a year into Prime Minister position, Mr. Setha has been busy traveling abroad to the foreign countries probably to get to know the those leaders to better his own construction building luxurious homes, condominium and resort. No shame.

[@ianbales3436]

Thanks (from the uk) for showing this, aside from 1 article in BBC news, I have not seen the heatwave discussed by other western media..

[@kokonana4086]

The disfranchisement in Thai society is so appalling. Of course, the poor bear the brutal brunt of this inequality.

[@easygreen8243]

Teera is a good man

[@alexridervlogs5018]

How is possible that my Dear Thai King allows this to Happen ? His later Father was an Extraordinary man that developed Thailand in a incredible way...Please Help the Homeless your Majesty. Thanks

[@juvezhang1715]

Rainy season floods of water...Dry season with 41 degre...poor people can not live in such extreem environment

[@toptohyekoms]

wow thailand! you got a very good attitude towards others, very inspiring to strengthen humanities faith

[@dongye3645]

nice country! nice people!!👍👍👍

[@tarunika983]

I never knew Thailand has Homeless crisis..oh god

[@fahmraktnul4279]

It's far from being a crisis. Bangkok received a lot of workers from elsewhere and when these people become old, some don't have enough money to look after themselves. Most people have families in the provinces to go back to. However, many of the homeless had issues with their families when they were younger or were involved with drugs or alcohol and were cut off by their families. There are many homeless people in many major cities around the world even in richer countries.

[@yothiga]

It kinda condense in area like this location both because it's homeless friendly and it's where the foundation donate the food.

[@casadechris923]

I’m based in Bangkok and work and llive on Sukuhmvit road, I’m shocked how majority of tourists stay on this road tele me, Thailand is a developed country cause between Siam and PromPong there are 7 delux malls with Dior Gucci Chanel and sky bars charging drinks as if I was in Manhattan or Paris way too ,any of the city population survives on less than 7 US dollars a day. As a Roman Catholic are charities are told to give but not display it comes from our church because a segment of the population don’t like competing faiths being generous and then people question why more local groups are not helping more. Help is help love is love

[@tarunika983]

Thailand is not a developed country.. Thailand is not only Bangkok...

[@stingray9225]

There's always good ppl

[@LordBagdanoff]

Bangkok sell so many portable small fans at MBK but so little people use them around… resources are there but not utilised.

[@SuperAbd]

Ya allah make our hearts just like teera so we leaen to help each other.❤

[@lizr.9038]

How do we get in contact with Teera? Or with the volunteer organization to donate?

[@nomifrei]

is there a way to donate money for the umbrellas he said they need for monsoon season? and other things such as food donations? thank you for the great documentary

[@sandrabentley8111]

See the 'more' section above for the name of the organization, you can Google them and then donate.

[@nomifrei]

@@sandrabentley8111 thanks so much :)

[@marigold5320]

Their river way has no garbage

[@NJVArtimations]

gawd... If I have a company my employees can have the benefit of daycare in my office...

[@leongyet9896]

According to some Singaporeans,their neighboring countries cost of living is so low,it is so nice to live there. Basically everyone can live there comfortably..........

[@shirobuta]

Yes, bring the singapore dollar and you can live extremely comfortably yar

[@leongyet9896]

@@shirobuta Yup that's only when you earn sin dollars. But if you earning Baht and earning average wages ,I doubt the cost of living is any cheaper for their own citizens.

[@rainmaker8677]

As like the documentary on India heat wave. The rich are able to avoid the heat. Yet do they even contribute anything towards the poor ???

[@erbterb]

It is easy to reduce the smog. Stop driving! I cannot believe all the cars needs to go back and forth. Rationalize the actually needed drives and do not do the others. Buy one small item across town? No. Gather a weeks worth of purchases in one trip. Save six days of driving. Help with water for the homeless. Use solar cells along the canals to draw water through filters into usable water. It can be as simple as just spraying it back into the canals to create a local mist or save it for showers during the day. The solar cells can be used as shade if you make them wide enough. Practical people understand what I am proposing.

[@tuck295q]

may I know the name of the charity organization?

[@mossdanseven6560]

Did the government do anything for them? Perhaps the King spare a bit of wealth for his people. ❤

[@apage1717]

Politicians are too busy making money in all ways to buy more power.

[@nielk799]

Its normal for such a big cities like Bangkok, Manila, Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, jakarta and Mumbai to have slums and homeless people yet, in the near future these Asian cities are the top 10superpower economic cities in the world dethrone New York, LA or London.

[@jasmines.6325]

Vertical gardens and special paint made by Israeli company Solcold might help if cities are willing to invest in the wellbeing of their citizens.

[@ramatgan1]

Lucky to live in Northern Somalia. Its 28c everyday here. Not to hot or cold. 😎☀

[@kayllenstarships9009]

Isnt somalia a war zone? (Because of some terrorist fighting over territory)

[@ramatgan1]

@@kayllenstarships9009 The civil war finished years ago.

[@saingmckinnon6631]

20 $ A month 😢😢😢

[@ratnoinamaew7822]

Be interesting to know the Royal Family's contribution, they are worth about USD 50 BN

[@tarunika983]

Why don't thai king help these people...atleast Thai People should help them there are many people who are spending money on Clubs and lottery..

[@rosapanther8466]

Wtf is wrong with the world, that homelessness is increasing in every country?????

[@yogasetiaone]

Bangkok is real poverty, this country has household debt highest in sea

[@alereon]

Playboy King should help out

[@michaelhart5087]

52C. no big deal, well just wear long sleeve shirts and oxygen constricting face masks! 😂😂

[@sokapokvic2514]

I am glad the at least all of them receive 700 Bath every month and state welfare and free food everyday meanwhile homeless in other countries get nothing. Anyway I think Thai government should do something to solve this problem very quick because it's not that hard to help them to have proper housing with only 600 homeless.

[@dittasuwan]

Bangkok builds a house for Homelet. Didn't solve the problem at all?

[@deltaco-zd6dq]

I don't understand why we are the way we are, knowing full well we are all here for a limited period of time. How hard is it to moderate your own consumption if that would help the passage of others through this existence? It is at times like this that there is some sense in this passage in the Bible "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

[@helpanimals-]

The entire world is failing, societies are failing. The rich don't care enough. This is the problem. Things must change for the better!

[@damienwanderer]

i thot the business woman gonna do something to the homeless.. but no, she planning to go on a holiday to a cold weather country with her family...

[@phiksy5143]

At least, there are no trash and dirty environmeny as other 3rd world country

[@keangwooichoo6138]

The earth is doom

[@tipp1515]

It’s millions homeless in Bangkok not 600 😢

[@pr-jensen]

man må kunne lave tøj der køler mm

[@mspersonunknowable]

And of course the rich get richer, SO the poor get poorer! Poverty and homelessness is getting worse in every country, every day. We surely can do better than this. How can humans allow this to happen to the most vulnerable?

[@raydiane1]

Bless him for helping his fellow homeless friends. The rich lady is only taking care of her herself and her family. I really don’t see her doing much to help the general Thai population. Why is she being featured here?

[@willyhuang4026]

How many govt really care for the welfare of the people ?

[@ArabicReja973]

As of 2022, China 🇨🇳 was by far the world's largest *coal* consumer with 55% of energy use, an increase of 2% of the total energy from the year before. So China is accelerating the use of coal despite it having signed the Paris agreement.

[@greentraveler4114]

For hundreds of years since the first industrial revolution the global climate started, the Western countries eliminated like 80% of historical total emissions, but considering the emissions per capita, which is more accurate and fair standard for measure, the Americans and Europeans still are emitting 7-20 times than developing countries. The West has shift its production to Asia which also shift pollution to Asia, remember most of the products from Asian factories in China Vietnam Inidia Indonesia Thailand etc. are supplying for Americans and Europeans.

[@leongyet9896]

You ok? You know now China is pushing hard to go green. Look at their cars especially on EV. You know what? Now especially the Maericans are saying EVs are useless and cause more harm. Isn't the west are the first one or making sure everyone needs to follow their lead and protocol? Now China is the leading nation on EV,the West starts to change their mind?lol

[@ricktandron3669]

How can I get a job with the bank note counting machine company?

[@megaredkentadate9834]

Another comparison between poor person and rich person.

[@toyoyoyo104]

What's the Thai govt doing? It's such a joke to hear the rich talking abt their overseas trips to escape the heat. 😢

[@alexaez2946]

A couple of bottle of cold water, Teera try to gain popularity by thrusting himself into the limelight - thousand do charity but never allow themselves to be known - shameless people

[@icebearsz]

Wow what a pathetic response to such a heartwarming video. Teera himself is not in the best situation but he makes the most of it and still has the heart to help others like him. What have YOU ever done for your community? FYI this is a DOCUMENTARY to raise awareness. Of course it is meant for people to watch.

[@cherrypawarin9762]

I don’t see how it is shameless for a homeless like him seeking the limelight just to raise awareness or ask for help. It’s not like they are in the US where the homeless are funded or the seniors are paid enough with monthly coverage pension just so they can stay addicts and cry for the go fund me. People like him only have time to think of what to do for him and the others in shelters to survive just for one more day in the Thai classism regime, so let alone chasing popularity or bothered being considered a shameless like you are.

[@Mel-lf7ny]

@alexaez2946, Terra is more appreciated than a keyboard-warrior like yourself !

[@suarakeadilan8157]

The worst city to live!!

[@sokapokvic2514]

But Millions migrant worker and tons foreigner called it's heaven.

[@apage1717]

@ThailandPrimeminister @เศรษฐาทวีสิน