As the Thais bring in the new year with Songkran Festival, Bangkok faces its hottest month – April. According to Holiday Weather, the average temperature in Bangkok is 87°F (31°C) in the month of April. However, Bangkok’s temperature rose up to 111.7 °F (44.27°C) in 2016! That is one scorching hot sun!

So, what can visitors do to avoid this crazy heat? Here are 11 suggestions for you to cool down in Bangkok:

1. Celebrate Songkran in Khao San and Silom Roads

Songkran is an age-old celebration of water splashing during the Thai New Year. Every year, Songkran is held officially for 3 days across Thailand and this year it will be held from 13 - 15 April.

In reality, the whole country will be busy with mass celebrations for the whole week to bring in the Thai New Year. Khao San Road and Silom Road (just right outside Furama Silom) will be where you would want to be ready with your water guns to join in the fun.

However, it can be extremely chaotic as these roads are where everyone will be at. If you are keen for a smaller celebration, just walk around the streets and join any crowd that appeals to you most.

Some tips for an amazing water splashing time:

• Be respectful and courteous - if someone does not want to get wet, don't splash them
• Avoid hitting the eyes
• Wish locals Happy New Year or Happy Songkran
• Bring or buy a water gun, fill it up and be prepared to be wet
• Smile and splash around!

P.S.: Watch out for Furama Silom’s invitation to in-house guests to join them for their traditional Songkran activities!

2. Feed your artistic soul at House of Lucie

Visitors will find over 200 works by the 130 Lucie Awards Honorees, including master photographers like Steve McCurry, Greg Gorman, Melvin Sokolsky and Duane Michals. The exhibition shows both original prints and published photographers on all 3 floors of its admission free gallery.

It is a must-visit for those who enjoy photography. Nevertheless, those who would like to get some work done in a beautifully decorated and cooling environment should give its co-working space a shot.

Facebook page: House of Lucie (click to know more about the exhibitions that are available during your stay in Bangkok)

Opening hours:

Tue - Fri: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sat: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: 1 Ekamai, Soi 8

Directions: Just 500 m walk away from FuramaXclusive Asoke is the Asok BTS station. Take the BTS towards Ekkamai BTS station and walk for another 1km to reach House of Lucie. This whole journey will take about 30 minutes or lesser.

3. Indulge in –10 Celsius drinking sessions at Titanium Club & Ice Bar

This is definitely the "coolest" bar in Bangkok! How can it not be cool when the club boasts a –10 Celsius bar? Patrons will be freezing just like their frozen drinks regardless of the hot April weather.

Another selling point for Titanium is the all-female rock band, Unicorn, that performs nightly from Mondays – Saturdays. A freezing bar with sizzling hot rocker chicks makes the club a flashy spot to rock the heat away.

Facebook page: Titanium Club & Ice Bar

Opening hours: 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM

Location: Sukhumvit, Soi 22

Directions: From FuramaXclusive Sukhumvit: Take a 15-minute ride with Uber/Grab or a taxi directly to Titanium Club & Ice Bar.

If you are planning to skip the traffic, it is best to take BTS Sukhumvit line (heading to Mo Chit) and stop at Phrom Pong BTS station. Continue walking for 500m to the club.

4. Have fun at Jam while eating delicious burgers

Jam is a modest, homey and uncluttered café-cum-bar. It is nestled in a narrow lane with soundproof walls. The small shophouse has all the hallmarks of a chill café including vintage Thai board games and tables wide enough for you to do some work before the party starts.

At night, this small venue entertains its patrons with an interesting mix of local underground band performances. Staffs are known to be friendly and they serve excellent food. The Jamburger is their best seller! Jam is proud of their self-made sauce and buns in addition to the special blend 100% beef that they order from the local butchery.

Facebook page: JAM CAFE BKK

Opening hours: 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Location: 41, Soi Rong Nam Kang (Charoen Rat Soi 1), Sathorn - Surasak BTS Exit 2

Directions: An easy 16 minutes walking distance away from Furama Silom.

However, if you are coming from FuramaXclusive Sathorn, it is best to walk 300 m to Chong Nonsi BTS station. Head out at National Stadium, which is about 250 m walk away from Jam.

5. Watch a movie at world-class cinemas

Whether you are in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or anywhere, the cinema will always be your saviour from hot weather. Here are some of the best cinemas in Bangkok for you to enjoy your movies:

Locations:

Quartier CineArt: 10110 8 Sukhumvit 33 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana (20 minutes by car/BTS from FuramaXclusive Sukhumvit)

Paragon Cineplex: 991 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathumwan, Khet Pathumwan (17 minutes by BTS and 15 minutes by taxi)

Emprive at Emporium: 622 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei (180 m away from Phrom Phong BTS station)

6. Fashion shopping spree in every mall

Head over to Platinum Mall, MBK, Siam Discovery Bangkok, and Central World for affordable fashionable clothes. Want something higher end? Siam Paragon and Emporium will be your perfect places to shop.

Recommended high-quality custom-made suits can mostly be found in Sukhumvit:

Tom Suits: Shop No. 19, Sukhumvit Rd., Soi 8

Narry: 155/22 Sukhumvit Soi 11/1, Klongtoey Nuea, Wattana

Best Tailor Bangkok: 573 Sukhumvit Road between Soi 31 and 33 (Near BTS Phrom Phong)

Rajawongse Clothier: 130 Sukhumvit Road, Near Soi 4

Empire Tailors: 124 - 126 Sukhumvit Soi 4 - 6

7. Cool off at Bangkok's #1 water park

Bored of the hustle and bustle of Bangkok city and is looking for some fun? Visit Fantasia Lagoon! This water park is suitable for both the young and old. It is suitable for a great family time together.

Since the water park is a little out of town, it is not too crowded — surprisingly, still unknown to tourists. So, you will have your peace and quiet while floating down their lazy river. The best part is that you don't have to queue for your crazy slide rides!

Attached to the water park is The Mall, a shopping galore with plenty of eateries.

Opening hours: 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM

Admission fee: 200 baht/person 

Location: 275, 1 Phetkasem Rd, Khwaeng Bang Khae Nuea, Phasi Charoen, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (At The Mall)

Directions: The easiest way to reach Fantasia Lagoon is to hop on a taxi/Uber or Grab for about 30-40 minutes via Thanon Ratchaphruek depending on traffic (time estimated from FuramaXclusive Sathorn). There is no BTS to Fantasia Lagoon however, the nearest station is Bang Wa BTS.

8. Enjoy winter wonderland at Snow Town

Snow Town is most suitable for kids below 10 that has never seen snow. It is a 3,000 square meter winter wonderland with Euro-Japanese mountain village architecture.

The air is cool, but not frigid though its website boasts a –10 Celcius temperature. To add more fun to your kid’s day, you can also rent plastic sleds, digging equipment and skis. For a small additional fee, your child can access a little craft room called Sketch Town.

As an adult, you can enjoy their snow onsen and Japanese food available. The restaurants and cafes there serve Hokkaido specialties such as sweet potato fries, ramen noodles and Jingisukan beef.

Official website: http://www.snowtown.in.th/

Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Admission fees:

Newborn or below 70 cm: Free

Adult/kids (taller than 70cm): 600 Baht

Socks for sale: 50 Baht

*Each ticket comes with rental shoes and a free hot drink. Admission is for unlimited hours.

Location: 982/22 Sukhumvit Rd, Khwaeng Phra Khanong, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon

Directions: Best way to reach is to take BTS to Ekkamai station

9. Explore Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World

This is definitely the best way to stay cool, dry, and be near your favourite sea creatures. An aquarium this big is worth the visit regardless if you are a couple, family or a solo traveler.

One of the best features of this giant aquarium is their Shark Walk. Visitors are required to walk on a clear acrylic sheet that separates them from the more than five shark species that swim below. Other attractions include Coral Reef, Seahorse Kingdom, Tropical Rainforest, Rockpool, Rocky Shore, Tropical Ocean, Ocean Tunnel, Jellies, Penguin Ice Adventure, and Shark Shipwreck.

Book tickets online and you may get up to 35% discount on your Sea Life visit!

Official website: http://www.sealifebangkok.com/

Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Location: 991 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Located in S&P at Siam Paragon)

Directions: Best way to reach is by taking the BTS train to Siam station, that is linked with Siam Paragon Mall

10. Eat shaved milk at Sulbing@Korean Town Bangkok

If you are on a diet yet dying for a dessert, eating bingsu is one of your healthiest choice for a dessert. Bingsu is shaved milk with fruit toppings that will leave a cooling effect after every bite.

Sulbing originates from Korea and its mission is to bring healthy Korean desserts to the world. The must-try bingsu desserts here are their Mango Cheese Sulbing and Green Tea Choco Sulbing.

Official website: http://www.sulbinginternational.com/

Opening hours: Sulbing is open 24 hours every day!

Location:

212/2-3 Sukhumvit 12 Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Toei, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon

(Kindly refer to this page for all other locations near you)

Directions:

Take the BTS train to Siam station and walk for 5 minutes from the Pathumwan Exit.

11. Peaceful reading at Neilson Hays Library

Being in Bangkok can be very strenuous due to the city’s hustling vibe and heat. Neilson Hay Library is one of the most beautiful libraries in Thailand with a British architecture from 1922. It offers bookworms with nothing but the best range of English books to hide away from all the noise

The library requires membership of minimum 6 months or a minimum donation of 100 baht per visit as the library is privately funded. It is also a bookstore for books that are hard to find anywhere else. Next to the library is an art gallery and cafe gallery: The Rotunda Gallery and the Garden Cafe Gallery, which are open to the public.

Official website: http://neilsonhayslibrary.com/

Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Admission fee: Minimum 100-baht donation

Location: 195 Thanon Surawong, Si Phraya, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon

Directions: It is only a 5 minutes’ walk away from Furama Silom. Turn left outside of the hotel and walk about 100m towards the Silom junction. Cross over to 7-11 and walk onto Soi Silom 20. Walk straight about 300m and the library will be on your right.

The nearest BTS station is either Surasak or Chong Nonsi stations which are approximately 15 minutes’ walk to the library.