At one time, the World Meteorological Organization ranked Bangkok as the world’s hottest major city. And it is definitely hot over there. The city may not boast any record breaking temperatures for a single day, but average wise, day temperatures routinely hit the 30 degree Celsius mark (and occasional up into the 35’s and even 40’s) with night time temperatures dipping only a little bit.  Late November, December and early January are much more bearable, but it is still way too warm for many.

So, what do you do to combat the heat? One thing we cannot stress enough is to drink lots of fluids and water. You can buy them at just about anywhere, a 7-11 is always around the corner, and so are Family Marts and other corner shops that also sell delicious iced tea and other cool fruit juices. Readily available street vendors also sell ice cold water and drinks (and yes, even ice).

Also dress lightly. Many wear shorts instead of long pants and wear light white shirts instead of black ones. Slippers are also a common piece of footwear for many. Bring a hat and your favorite shades with you as well. But please be wary that this kind of dress code is not permitted in some of the city’s holy sites, like the Grand Palace for example. If you plan on visiting these places, please dress accordingly (long pants, covering of the shoulder, shoes/sneakers, etc., although hats and sunglasses are fine).

Air-conditioned mega malls are everywhere in Bangkok! Ever wonder why they are always filled with people? Let’s put it this way, many inside these malls will probably leave without purchasing a single item. But then again, lots of food stalls and drink spots are also in malls, which would help refresh you even further. Feel free to walk in any of them and bask in the refreshing air-conditioning.

Maybe walking is not your cup of tea, especially when battling Bangkok’s consistent heat. Taxis, tuk-tuks motorcycle taxis (if you dare), sky trains, subways, trains and buses cost almost next to nothing (when compared with travel in the West) and it should help you cool down a bit. Try the Chao Phraya boats and let the river breeze cool you down.

Why not take more showers? Thais and Bangkokians take at least two and even three showers a day. You could say that they are some of the world’s cleanest people. But isn’t it tempting to hit the showers after roaming around all day in humid and 35 degree Celsius Bangkok?

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