travel mark bangkok

Why Choose Travel Mart Bangkok ?

Top Destinations

Siem Reap , Cambodia

Bangkok Holiday

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Travel Mart

• Popular Routes
• Schedule and Timetable

About Travel Mart

Company information.

Travel Mart is a purely tourist bus company targeting at the foreign visitors. It runs buses around a variety of the touristiest destinations in Thailand as well as international routes to neighbouring Cambodia. As journeys are long most buses are large and have ample legroom and reclining seats so that passengers can sleep. That said, on some of the shorter domestic routes minivans are used instead of larger Express buses.

If you take the Express Bus option to Cambodia or a longer route within Cambodia you can expect Wi-Fi, food and drinks, and a blanket.

Most buses depart from Khao San Road which is a popular backpacker hub in Bangkok which means that passengers do not have to make their way to one of Bangkok’s bus stations which are often crowded and confusing to navigate.

Routes served by Travel Mart

Travel Mart has a range of routes both in Thailand and to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Here are some of the most popular and useful routes.

Bangkok–Siem Reap

Leaving from Khao San Road in Bangkok, Travel Mart buses deliver you to Siem Reap , the gateway to the temples of Angkor. Tickets on this service cost between THB800 and THB1000 depending on the schedule you choose. The journey takes 8 hours and buses leave at 1 am or 9 am.

Bangkok–Koh Samet

One of the most useful domestic routes served by Travel Mart is to Koh Samet, a small island in the upper part of the Gulf. The island is the favourite quick escape to the sea fro Bangkokians, so minivans fill quickly.

Bangkok to Koh Samet route is sold as a combo ticket with ferry service included. Travel from Bangkok to Koh Samet is by minivan or not one of the larger Express buses. Departures take place from Khao San daily and leave at 8 am. The journey takes 5 hours. Tickets cost THB500.

Tickets sold on this service, particularly for international travel to Cambodia are far cheaper than flying.

International buses to Cambodia are spacious and have reclining seats.

Pick up is in Khao San Road rather than a central bus station which many travelers find easier.

If you are travelling to Cambodia then the bus staff can help you with the border crossing although you will usually have to pay an administration fee on top of the cost of the visa.

Express buses have food, snacks, and water provided as well as a steward to help with any issues you may have.

Buses on shorter routes are minivans rather than Express buses and can be crowded and feel cramped.

Buses don’t run to a wide variety of international destinations so unless you are going to travel to Siem Reap you will need to choose a different company.

Minivans may not have working air conditioning and do not have toilets.

Keep in mind

Try to make sure you arrive on time in line with the stated departure time. Passengers who are late may miss the bus and have to wait for another one and lose their ticket. Pick up is in Khao San Road but make sure you leave time to find the correct location.

If you are travelling on a route within Thailand make sure to check whether the company uses an Express Bus or a minivan so that you can plan accordingly.

Travellers reviews

There have been frequent reports of buses being late to depart . As delays are frequent you will need to leave ample time at your destination if you are planning to continue your journey.

Passengers have said that staff may help with visas at the Cambodian border but that they charge a USD10 administration fee for this. If you do not want to pay this fee then you will need to queue and process the visa yourself.

Buses are advertised as having Wi-Fi on board although there have been reports that this often doesn’t work. As such don’t rely on having Wi-Fi on board as this may not be the case.

Travel Mart Popular Routes

Travel mart schedule & timetable, travel mart stations, travel mart company reviews.

Travel Mart - Tickets and online bookings

Travel Mart is a well based transportation company in Bangkok. Travel Mart staff is known for its warm, friendly, and welcoming hospitality. They are there to make sure your trip goes smoothly as possible.

Official address : 51 Rongmai Soi, Chao Fa Rd., Chanasongkram

Phone 1: +66922672333

Phone 2: +66 26291300-1

• 4.2 Based on 196 reviews
• Good journey Yann D. 13.08.2023
• Super comfy and relaxed travel. Our guide Wan was very helpful and friendly. She assisted us from the moment we arrived at the terminal in Siem Reap until we got off the bus, she never left anyone and made sure everyone is being attended to. Highly recommended service and highly recommended guide. Hope to use your service again in the future. Jezebell I. 24.07.2023
• I am really happy that I chose them. Everything went well. Really nice and proffessional staff, good driver, time went fast. Thank you! Lola S. 23.07.2023
• This was an excellent journey, bus was lovely had Wi-Fi and toilet access Staff are great!! They keep you informed through and stay with you for the whole process it’s a bit like a school trip but you are definitely looked after which is amazing, lunch is provided and also snacks and water !! Ended up arriving 4 hours earlier then what the expected time was so this is something to keep in mind also All in all I can not fault this company or the staff Jess B. 14.06.2023
• Great! Payed 200 baht for VIP pass through Cambodian immigration. Definitely worth it however it requires you giving them your passport but it was fine. They get your visa for you if you don’t already have one. Everyone very helpful, air conditioning, plugs and free coffee. You get water and goodie bag when you get on bus and later you get a meal which you can choose from 3 options. Ended up arriving earlier than expected! Flora F. 08.05.2023
• This service ran perfectly. All of the staff were very organised and informative. It started with checking in and choosing our meal. Once we were on the bus we received a water and snack and the bus left on time. The border process was very smooth as our guide kept us together and explained everything. We were lucky there were not large queues. They drop you in the centre of Siem Reap so was easy to walk to our hotel. Would definitely use this service again. Siobhan F. 15.04.2023

Travel Mart’s popular routes

Siem Reap to Bangkok

The distance between Siem Reap and Bangkok is 213 miles, or approximately 340 kilometers. There are 5 ways to get from Siem Reap to Bangkok, including car, flight, minivan, bus, and van-ferry. There are no morning departures for this route. The Earliest departure leaves at 17:45 and has a duration of 12 hours 15 minutes. The fastest way to travel is by minivan, which takes approximately 7 hours 30 minutes.

Siem Reap to Bangkok by Bus

Siem reap to bangkok by minivan, bangkok to siem reap.

The distance between Bangkok and Siem Reap is 213 miles, or approximately 340 kilometers. There are 5 ways to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap, including car, flight, minivan, bus, and van-ferry. There are no morning departures for this route. The Earliest departure leaves at 18:30 and has a duration of 9 hours. The fastest way to travel is by minivan, which takes approximately 7 hours 30 minutes.

Bangkok to Siem Reap by Bus

Bangkok to siem reap by minivan, bangkok to aranyaprathet.

The distance between Bangkok and Aranyaprathet is 139 miles, or approximately 222 kilometers. There are 2 ways to get from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet, including bus and minivan. There are no morning departures for this route. The Earliest departure leaves at 18:30 and has a duration of 4 hours. The fastest way to travel is by bus, which takes approximately 4 hours.

Bangkok to Aranyaprathet by Bus

Bangkok to aranyaprathet by minivan, battambang to bangkok.

The distance between Battambang and Bangkok is 188 miles, or approximately 301 kilometers. There are 3 ways to get from Battambang to Bangkok, including minivan, bus, and van-ferry. There are no morning departures for this route. The Earliest departure leaves at 20:00 and has a duration of 8 hours 30 minutes. The fastest way to travel is by minivan, which takes approximately 7 hours 30 minutes.

Battambang to Bangkok by Minivan

Our travelers reviews about the ride with travel mart.

Based on 196 reviews from Bookaway users who traveled with Travel Mart

Travel Mart

Good journey

Jezebell I.

Super comfy and relaxed travel. Our guide Wan was very helpful and friendly. She assisted us from the moment we arrived at the terminal in Siem Reap until we got off the bus, she never left anyone and made sure everyone is being attended to. Highly recommended service and highly recommended guide. Hope to use your service again in the future.

I am really happy that I chose them. Everything went well. Really nice and proffessional staff, good driver, time went fast. Thank you!

This was an excellent journey, bus was lovely had Wi-Fi and toilet access Staff are great!! They keep you informed through and stay with you for the whole process it’s a bit like a school trip but you are definitely looked after which is amazing, lunch is provided and also snacks and water !! Ended up arriving 4 hours earlier then what the expected time was so this is something to keep in mind also All in all I can not fault this company or the staff

Great! Payed 200 baht for VIP pass through Cambodian immigration. Definitely worth it however it requires you giving them your passport but it was fine. They get your visa for you if you don’t already have one. Everyone very helpful, air conditioning, plugs and free coffee. You get water and goodie bag when you get on bus and later you get a meal which you can choose from 3 options. Ended up arriving earlier than expected!

Travel Mart's most popular stations

Choose a city

• Aranyaprathet
• Travel Mart Bangkok Travel Mart Bangkok, 51 Ram Buttri, Chana Songkhram, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
• Aranyaprathet Immigration Check-point MG6X+WCV, Tambon Aranyaprathet, Amphoe Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo 27120, Thailand

Stories by travelers, for travelers

Bangkok to Siem Reap border crossing: A traveler review

The land border crossing between Thailand & Cambodia can be intimidating. Here’s a review of what to expect when crossing the border by bus.

Out with the old: 5 old travel habits we do not miss at all

From analog cameras to traveler`s checks – nostalgia is great, but we were happy to replace these 5 habits with innovative new technologies.

The environmental impact of taking a train vs. flying

The world is too big and beautiful for us to stop traveling and exploring everything it has to offer, so discover how to become a more sustainable traveler.

Your questions , Our answers

How much does a car ride cost from siem reap to bangkok.

The cost of a car ride for a roundtrip adult ticket to Bangkok leaving from Siem Reap is around $161.92

Do Travel Mart have toilets on board?

Travel Mart do have toilets on board!

Is there Wi-Fi on Travel Mart?

Most of the Travel Mart rides have Wi-Fi on board. We recommend reaching out directly to Travel Mart to find out if your ride is one of those rides.

Do I need to print my ticket or does Travel Mart offer e-tickets?

Travel Mart has e-tickets so you don’t need to print your tickets.

Which cities does Travel Mart operate in?

Travel Mart operates in Siem Reap, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Aranyaprathet, Battambang, and Sihanoukville

What is Travel Mart’s contact information?

Phone: +66922672333

Where is the Travel Mart office?

Travel Mart’s office is located at 51 Rongmai Soi, Chao Fa Rd., Chanasongkram

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Travel Mart Bangkok Co, Ltd - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Travel Mart Bangkok Co, Ltd

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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• Sun - Sat 00:00 - 23:59
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• (0.03 mi) Baan Sabai
• (0.03 mi) Welcome Sawasdee Inn
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As Thailand revels in Songkran water fights, tourist hub Samui suffers through drought

The resort island is facing days without running water, even as the country celebrates new year with water fights

A cross Thailand , people are getting ready to take to the streets for a giant water fight to mark the new year. Roads will be lined with vendors selling water pistols, businesses will put out buckets of icy water for refills and no passersby is safe.

What began as a tradition of the Songkran festival to sprinkle water on the hands of elders, in a symbol of cleansing and reverence to mark the new year, has evolved into huge water fights that draw tourists from across the world. But on the tourist resort island of Samui, the water fights and celebrations bely a long running problem: the island is parched. Residents say taps can stop running for days, causing disruption to businesses and daily life.

“The water hasn’t run for two and a half days now,” says Wachirawut Kulaphetkamthorn, who owns a barber shop in Lamai, Samui and has been unable to use his shower. “Last year, the water came every other day, but this week, it hasn’t run for 2-3 days in a row.”

“The restaurant nearby could not open the shop because there was no water.”

Wachirawut has resorted to buying five tanks of water. “I don’t have any backup plan. I think I just need to buy more water when it’s gone. I can’t do anything. I can only complain on Facebook,” he says. One local restaurant owner says he fills his tanks when the water is back on and this can usually see him through the two or three days when the taps dry up. But if the shortages last longer, he is forced to use expensive drinking water.

“The vendor next to my shop, when they don’t have water, they need to change to takeaway orders instead because there’s no water to clean the plates,” says Nat, who asked to give just his nickname. Big hotels are able to pay for private water supplies, which means tourists are unlikely to be affected and water fights will go ahead, according to Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, the president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui. But this all adds an extra financial burden to the sector as it recovers from Covid.

Water on the island is derived from wetland areas, as well as an undersea pipeline that supplies 21,000 cubic metres of water a day, well short of the between 31,000 to 33,000 cubic metres of water needed a day, says Ratchaporn.

Poor planning has meant that infrastructure hasn’t kept up with the number of people migrating to work on the island, or the rapid development of luxury resorts, golf courses and spas that consume large volumes of water.

Ratchaporn says there are hopes a reverse osmosis system, and an additional pipe supplying water from Surat Thani will ease the problem, though, for now, the dry weather is an added problem. Thailand is currently experiencing extreme heat due to the El Niño phenomenon, which is associated with hotter, drier conditions across the region. The Thai public health ministry has warned of the risk of heatstroke during the Songkran period, as temperatures have reached record levels in some areas. Despite the risks, the government hopes this year’s Songkran festival, which marks the Thai new year, will give a much-needed boost to the tourism sector. This year’s celebrations have been extended from the usual three days to three weeks, after the festival was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage event by Unesco. In Samui, businesses are also extending the celebrations to encourage tourists to stay longer, says Ratchaporn, offering events including orchestral concerts and foam parties – which use less water than a traditional water fight.

“It is high season and [Songkran] is also one of the cultural attractions for the period,” says Ratchaporn.

He says businesses and authorities will make sure people have a chance to splash in water – even if this brings added costs.

“Even if we don’t have water. It’s like … Christmas, no matter if you don’t have anything you will at least try to provide your family with a cookie and warm milk.”

• El Niño southern oscillation

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Water guns are in full blast to mark Thai New Year festivities despite worries about heat wave

It’s water festival time in Thailand where many are marking the country’s traditional New Year, splashing each other with colourful water guns and buckets in an often raucous celebration that draws thousands of people, even as this year the Southeast Asian nation marks record-high temperatures causing concern. The festival, known as Songkran in Thailand, is a three-day shindig that starts on Saturday.

A man reacts as a bucket of water is splashed on him during the Songkran water festival to celebrate the Thai New Year in Prachinburi Province, Thailand, Saturday April 13, 2024. It’s the time of year when many Southeast Asian countries hold nationwide water festivals to beat the seasonal heat, as celebrants splash friends, family and strangers alike in often raucous celebration to mark the traditional Theravada Buddhist New Year. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

• Copy Link copied

A man reacts as water is splashed on him during the Songkran water festival to celebrate the Thai New Year in Prachinburi Province, Saturday April 13, 2024. It’s the time of year when many Southeast Asian countries hold nationwide water festivals to beat the seasonal heat, as celebrants splash friends, family and strangers alike in often raucous celebration to mark the traditional Theravada Buddhist New Year. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

A woman reacts as a bucket of water is splashed on her during the Songkran water festival to celebrate the Thai New Year in Prachinburi Province, Thailand, Saturday April 13, 2024. It’s the time of year when many Southeast Asian countries hold nationwide water festivals to beat the seasonal heat, as celebrants splash friends, family and strangers alike in often raucous celebration to mark the traditional Theravada Buddhist New Year. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

A couple react as a bucket of water is splashed on them during the Songkran water festival to celebrate the Thai New Year in Prachinburi Province, Thailand, Saturday April 13, 2024. It’s the time of year when many Southeast Asian countries hold nationwide water festivals to beat the seasonal heat, as celebrants splash friends, family and strangers alike in often raucous celebration to mark the traditional Theravada Buddhist New Year. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

People holding umbrellas walk in front of Mahakan Fort in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, April 5, 2024. Thailand, Cambodia and other countries in this region are celebrating with their annual water festivals as they also suffer through the global heat wave. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A visitor with an umbrella walks downstairs of the Golden Mount inside the Buddhist Wat Saket temple complex in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Thailand, Cambodia and other countries in this region are celebrating with their annual water festivals as they also suffer through the global heat wave. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A woman walks through spay water for cooling down from hot temperatures in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Thailand, Cambodia and other countries in this region are celebrating with their annual water festivals as they also suffer through the global heat wave. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

People holding umbrellas walk by the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, April 5, 2024. Thailand, Cambodia and other countries in this region are celebrating with their annual water festivals as they also suffer through the global heat wave. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Women enjoy ice cream in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Thailand, Cambodia and other countries in this region are celebrating with their annual water festivals as they also suffer through the global heat wave. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A motorcyclist drives over the shadow of train tracks in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Thailand, Cambodia and other countries in this region are celebrating with their annual water festivals as they also suffer through the global heat wave. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Yem Sam-eng, 43, pours water over his cow for bathing at his home in Run Ta Ek village in Siem Reap province, northwestern Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Thailand, Cambodia and other countries in this region are celebrating with their annual water festivals as they also suffer through the global heat wave. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

It’s water festival time in Thailand where many are marking the country’s traditional New Year, splashing each other with colorful water guns and buckets in an often raucous celebration that draws thousands of people, even as this year the Southeast Asian nation marks record-high temperatures causing concern.

The festival, known as Songkran in Thailand, is a three-day shindig that starts Saturday and informally extends for a whole week, allowing people to travel for family celebrations. The holiday is also celebrated under different names in neighboring Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, which like Thailand have populations that are predominantly Theravada Buddhist.

Songkran is immensely popular — predicted this year to attract more than 500,000 foreign tourists and generate more than 24 billion baht ($655 million) in revenue, according to the state tourism agency. Past Thai governments have been reluctant to call for dialing down the fun even during crises such as droughts and the pandemic

Though the festival originated as a way to pray for a rainy season that helped crops and included activities such as cleansing images of the Buddha and washing the hands and feet of elders, Songkran these days is now often associated with public drunkenness, sexual assault in the guise of merrymaking, and a spike in traffic fatalities, noticeable to the point that the extended holiday has been dubbed the “seven dangerous days.”

The festival usually falls at the hottest time of the year when temperatures can creep above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

But this year, the unusual heat wave, with expected record temperatures for the next few months, has triggered apprehension. The United Nations Children’s Fund warned Thursday the sweltering weather could put millions of children’s lives at risk, asking caregivers to take extra precautions.

The UNICEF statement said in the Asia-Pacific region, “around 243 million children are exposed to hotter and longer heatwaves, putting them at risk of a multitude of heat-related illnesses, and even death.”

Heat waves can be lethal as they affect the ability to breathe, making the old and young particularly vulnerable.

Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore where natural phenomena such as climate change are studied, said three factors determine heat waves; El Nino, a natural, temporary and occasional warming of part of the Pacific, an increase in global temperatures and human-induced climate change .

The poor are particularly vulnerable to heat waves, exacerbated in many Southeast Asian cities where concrete buildings make the weather more stifling and few trees provide shade, he said.

Horton added that the past year saw record-high global average temperatures and the heat waves in Southeast Asia were mirroring that trend, adding that “it is only going to get worse.”

The entirety of the Mekong Delta, which includes Vietnam as well as Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, saw extreme heat, with parts of Laos and Thailand seeing temperatures that were 5-7 degrees Celsius (41-44.6 degrees Fahrenheit) more than the average between April 3-9, according to the Mekong Dam Monitor program of the Stimson Center in Washington D.C.

This extreme heat also means less water for hydropower dams to produce energy.

“Heat waves put a significant strain on power systems, from surging energy demand to compromising grid capacity. Hydropower generation is particularly impacted” when heat results in drought over multiple years, according to Dimitri Pescia, director for Southeast Asia at the German-based thinktank Agora Energiewende

“The cumulative effects, amplified by climate change, cause great distress to society and ecosystems,” he said.

Singapore’s Horton said earth-warming carbon emissions needed a drastic cutting down as people learned to adapt to the new climate which included learning the dangers of overly hot weather and for authorities to create an emergency response to warn people about high temperatures beforehand and provide them with areas to cool down when needed.

Last week, the Philippines suspended classes in more than 5,800 public schools and shifted to home-based and online learning to protect millions of students from the scorching heat.

Schools in several cities, including the congested capital Manila, shifted classes to early morning to avoid sweltering noontime and afternoon temperatures. Also, tens of thousands of students in grade and high schools were allowed to alternate between going to school and online classes every other day, officials said.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, a medical doctor, said they have limited outdoor activities especially if the heat index rises to an extreme level. “If people don’t have urgent tasks outside, the best precaution really is to stay indoors.”

Associated Press writers Sopheng Cheang in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines contributed to this report. Asia Business Climate correspondent Aniruddha Ghosal reported from Hanoi, Vietnam.

Water guns are in full blast to mark Thai New Year festivities despite worries about heat wave

It’s water festival time in Thailand where many are marking the country’s traditional New Year, splashing each other with colorful water guns and buckets in an often raucous celebration that draws thousands of people, even as this year the Southeast As...

It's water festival time in Thailand where many are marking the country's traditional New Year, splashing each other with colorful water guns and buckets in an often raucous celebration that draws thousands of people, even as this year the Southeast Asian nation marks record-high temperatures causing concern.

The festival, known as Songkran in Thailand, is a three-day shindig that starts Saturday and informally extends for a whole week, allowing people to travel for family celebrations. The holiday is also celebrated under different names in neighboring Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, which like Thailand have populations that are predominantly Theravada Buddhist.

Songkran is immensely popular — predicted this year to attract more than 500,000 foreign tourists and generate more than 24 billion baht ($655 million) in revenue, according to the state tourism agency. Past Thai governments have been reluctant to call for dialing down the fun even during crises such as droughts and the pandemic

Though the festival originated as a way to pray for a rainy season that helped crops and included activities such as cleansing images of the Buddha and washing the hands and feet of elders, Songkran these days is now often associated with public drunkenness, sexual assault in the guise of merrymaking, and a spike in traffic fatalities, noticeable to the point that the extended holiday has been dubbed the “seven dangerous days.”

The festival usually falls at the hottest time of the year when temperatures can creep above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

But this year, the unusual heat wave, with expected record temperatures for the next few months, has triggered apprehension. The United Nations Children’s Fund warned Thursday the sweltering weather could put millions of children's lives at risk, asking caregivers to take extra precautions.

The UNICEF statement said in the Asia-Pacific region, “around 243 million children are exposed to hotter and longer heatwaves, putting them at risk of a multitude of heat-related illnesses, and even death.”

Heat waves can be lethal as they affect the ability to breathe, making the old and young particularly vulnerable.

Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore where natural phenomena such as climate change are studied, said three factors determine heat waves; El Nino, a natural, temporary and occasional warming of part of the Pacific, an increase in global temperatures and human-induced climate change.

The poor are particularly vulnerable to heat waves, exacerbated in many Southeast Asian cities where concrete buildings make the weather more stifling and few trees provide shade, he said.

Horton added that the past year saw record-high global average temperatures and the heat waves in Southeast Asia were mirroring that trend, adding that “it is only going to get worse.”

The entirety of the Mekong Delta, which includes Vietnam as well as Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, saw extreme heat, with parts of Laos and Thailand seeing temperatures that were 5-7 degrees Celsius (41-44.6 degrees Fahrenheit) more than the average between April 3-9, according to the Mekong Dam Monitor program of the Stimson Center in Washington D.C.

This extreme heat also means less water for hydropower dams to produce energy.

“Heat waves put a significant strain on power systems, from surging energy demand to compromising grid capacity. Hydropower generation is particularly impacted” when heat results in drought over multiple years, according to Dimitri Pescia, director for Southeast Asia at the German-based thinktank Agora Energiewende

“The cumulative effects, amplified by climate change, cause great distress to society and ecosystems,” he said.

Singapore's Horton said earth-warming carbon emissions needed a drastic cutting down as people learned to adapt to the new climate which included learning the dangers of overly hot weather and for authorities to create an emergency response to warn people about high temperatures beforehand and provide them with areas to cool down when needed.

Last week, the Philippines suspended classes in more than 5,800 public schools and shifted to home-based and online learning to protect millions of students from the scorching heat.

Schools in several cities, including the congested capital Manila, shifted classes to early morning to avoid sweltering noontime and afternoon temperatures. Also, tens of thousands of students in grade and high schools were allowed to alternate between going to school and online classes every other day, officials said.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, a medical doctor, said they have limited outdoor activities especially if the heat index rises to an extreme level. “If people don’t have urgent tasks outside, the best precaution really is to stay indoors.”

Associated Press writers Sopheng Cheang in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines contributed to this report. Asia Business Climate correspondent Aniruddha Ghosal reported from Hanoi, Vietnam.

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