BANGKOK, THAILAND – Facing extreme heat, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration set up hundreds of free “BKK Cooling Centres” in public buildings as air‑conditioned refuges for residents and visitors.
Heat as a health risk: why Bangkok acted
With rising temperatures, seeking air‑conditioned indoor spaces in Bangkok became less a matter of comfort than a necessity for many people. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) responded by creating a citywide network of free cooling locations.
The “BKK Cooling Centres” were intended to let people rest, cool down and recover from the summer heat during the hottest hours of the day. The network formed part of a broader strategy to reduce the impact of extreme heat in the capital.
How the “BKK Cooling Centres” concept worked
The BMA designated air‑conditioned facilities close to residential areas and major transport corridors. Access was free and open to both local residents and visitors who needed a short escape from the heat.
Existing BMA sites were used so that, according to the report, no additional budgets or operating costs were incurred. The basic requirement was that locations already had air conditioning, drinking water and on‑site staff provided by the BMA.
Facilities: water, staff and remedies for heat symptoms
Inside the centres, people found cool seating areas along with basic supplies for heat‑related discomfort. These included aromatic herbal inhalers, electrolyte powder and ammonia.
The provision of such items reflected growing concern about heat exhaustion and dehydration. The aim was to enable a rapid recovery for those affected before symptoms could worsen into more serious health problems.
Bangkok City Library: relief in the heart of a tourist district
The Bangkok City Library on Ratchadamnoen Avenue was used as one of the Cooling Centres and sat near major attractions such as Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Sanam Luang, as well as within reach of Khao San Road. A visitor from Chom Thong, Rungmanee Kittinattakamthorn (49), said she had been coming there regularly for a long time, about once a month when she was in the area.
“The Cooling Centre function increases comfort for tourists and locals, because you can read, use computers and rest there.”
said Rungmanee Kittinattakamthorn, a regular visitor.
As an improvement, she suggested adding a television for older visitors who were less familiar with digital devices. For her, the combination of a cool environment and access to media made the library particularly attractive during periods of intense heat.
Quieter than a mall: praise for location and atmosphere
Another visitor, Karaket Salatuak (30) from Bang Na, praised the accessibility and location of the library for people in the area for tourism, errands or royal ceremonies.
“A place like this helps me recharge my energy so I can visit more destinations afterwards.”
said Karaket Salatuak, a Bangkok resident.
Compared with shopping malls, she said the library offered a quieter, less crowded environment and additional cultural value. She called for more centres in residential areas where households lacked air conditioning, especially considering older people and outdoor workers who faced intense sun exposure.
Barriers for the most vulnerable: when access is more than a door
A homeless man in the Ratchadamnoen area said he would have liked to use such facilities but did not have appropriate clothing to enter public buildings. His experience highlighted barriers that vulnerable groups could face precisely during periods of dangerous heat.
The case suggested that “accessibility” depended not only on location and opening hours but also on social and practical conditions. It pointed to possible gaps that might need to be addressed when designing protection schemes for people at particular risk.
Use and rules on site: ID card required
Sirirat Nuengdanchak, Assistant Operations Editor at the library, said the institution joined the initiative immediately after the BMA plan was announced. With three floors and high daily footfall, the library could provide cooling space without disturbing regular users.
“Visitors only need to show a national ID card to use the services.”
said Sirirat Nuengdanchak, Assistant Operations Editor at the Bangkok City Library.
Out of around 2,000 daily visitors, about 100 came mainly to cool down. Many combined the visit with reading or studying, turning the centre into both a climate refuge and a place for quiet activities.
Numbers and expansion: 313 indoor centres and 279 outdoor points
According to Pornphrom Vikitsreth, adviser to the governor and Chief Sustainability Officer of the BMA, the network had grown to 313 indoor Cooling Centres. These were located mainly in district offices, health clinics, recreation centres and BMA schools.
In addition, there were 279 outdoor cooling points in parks, so‑called “15‑minute parks” in neighbourhoods and in temples. From 16 March to 5 April, 89,361 visits were recorded, with 30,336 in the first week, 29,726 in the second and 29,299 in the third.
“15 minutes” goal and international models
The BMA said it aimed to ensure that low‑income residents could reach a cooling place within 15 minutes. At the same time, the use of existing air‑conditioned rooms was meant to limit extra energy consumption and long‑term costs.
Pornphrom pointed out that people without air conditioning at home faced higher health risks during extreme heat, while private‑sector partners were also voluntarily joining to expand coverage. Similar Cooling Centre models were reported in cities such as Phoenix and Paris, indicating that Bangkok’s approach followed emerging international practice.