BANGKOK – Because heat and humidity are climbing in 2026, the city of Bangkok is expanding its response with air-conditioned cooling centers across the capital. The effort is part of a larger heat management plan meant to help residents stay safe as extreme temperatures become more common.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is pairing quick relief with longer-term city planning. The plan includes cooling rooms, heat alerts, and more green space. City officials say the focus is on protecting people most at risk during the hottest stretch of the year, when the heat index can reach dangerous levels.
This rollout comes as forecasts place Thailand’s hot season from late February through mid-May. In addition, officials expect more frequent and more intense heat events. Bangkok has flagged 379 heat-risk areas, many in open or crowded locations. These include construction sites, markets, parks, motorcycle taxi stands, and dense neighborhoods.
At the heart of the short-term plan are BKK Cooling Centers, also called cooling rooms. These are indoor, air-conditioned spaces where people can take a break from the heat. The BMA wants to cut cases of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which health officials warn can turn deadly fast without treatment.
So far, the city has prepared 120 cooling centers. They include state-run schools, all 50 district offices, public health service centers, and sports facilities. As a result, many residents should have a cool place nearby when temperatures spike.
The centers are set to operate mostly during the peak hot season, especially March and April, when heat index readings often hit their highest levels. District offices have been told to keep them open from late morning through mid-afternoon. That window matters because humidity and rising temperatures combine to create the toughest conditions.
Each site is meant to be simple and practical. Along with air conditioning, visitors can access drinking water and basic first aid. If needed, staff can also help connect people to emergency support. Still, officials emphasize that these rooms are not clinics. They are safe rest stops where people can cool down, recover, and lower their risk before heading back outside.
Cooling centers also connect to the BMA’s four-level heat warning system, built around public health guidance. The city uses color-coded heat index alerts, from green for normal monitoring to red for extreme danger. This helps residents judge when spending time outdoors becomes unsafe.
At the same time, Bangkok is working on longer-term fixes. With support from the World Bank through the “Shaping a Cooler Bangkok” plan, the city is focusing on people, places, and institutions. It combines steps like heat mapping and cooling rooms with larger changes, such as expanding green areas, adding water features, and updating building rules.
Urban heat is getting worse as concrete, heavy traffic, and dense development hold warmth in the city. That effect can push Bangkok’s temperatures above those of nearby rural areas. City officials cite research warning that without action, rising heat could bring major health and economic impacts, especially for outdoor workers and older adults.
Heat in Bangkok is no longer just uncomfortable. It’s a public health issue. Officials urge residents to watch heat alerts, limit outdoor time during high-risk hours, and use cooling centers when the heat feels overwhelming.
To keep efforts aligned, the BMA has formed a heat management committee to coordinate work across agencies. The goal is to plan and reduce danger before the worst heat arrives, not only respond after emergencies happen.
