Bangkok: Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt launched 304 "BKK Cooling Centers" across the capital to provide residents refuge from extreme heat. The centers, located in district offices, health clinics, and vocational schools, offer air-conditioned spaces and drinking water. Operations are focused between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, the period of peak temperatures and UV intensity, to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.

According to Thai News Agency, "This year is expected to be hotter than the last," Chadchart said during a launch at the Thewet Recreation Center. "We are providing these spaces for outdoor workers and those living in poorly ventilated housing." The governor addressed energy saving concerns, noting that the initiative utilizes existing air-conditioned public facilities rather than installing new units. "We are not adding costs; we are making existing spaces more efficient and accessible to the public while maintaining government-mandated energy-saving temperatures," he added.

For long-term heat mitigation, the city is analyzing "urban heat islands" and expanding green spaces. Chadchart highlighted the ongoing project to plant 2.4 million trees and develop 400 new parks to lower the city's overall temperature. "Heat is now as critical an issue as flooding or dust," the governor said. "We must plan for a future with more green zones, shaded walkways, and private sector cooperation to ensure the city remains livable."