Heatwave in Thailand prompts warning to stay indoors

A woman holds an umbrella to shelter from the sun in Bangkok, Thailand (Sakchai Lalit/AP)

Extreme heat has sent temperatures soaring in Thailand as authorities warned people to stay indoors.

The Meteorological Department’s forecast on Saturday said the highest temperature in the next 24 hours could reach 43C (107F) in the country’s north and could hit 40C (104F) in the capital, Bangkok.