Check out the weather policy at BKK! Last time I was there was a NOTAM indicating that the airfield would never be closed for weather by ATC. Assessment of acceptable conditions was a matter for each airline / crew. Significant airlines like Air France, British Airways & Qantas continued to take-off and land during an active severe thunderstorm directly over the field. Give us an inch & we take a mile.
Sometimes to ensure safety, it might be necessary to deviate 50 miles if you are downwind from a tropical CB, but on the upwind side the vertical face is so smooth that 50 metres can be safe. Its not hard to understand why stated distances are usually for guidance only.