Beijing is hot, dry and cloudy. From the main Games' venue, one can see the capital's skyscrapers miles away.

Because the weather is overcast, you're forgiven for thinking it's winter. But, make no mistake; it's hot outside.

Leave the air-conditioned buildings and it's really hot, with the temperature reaching 33 degrees Celsius.

Due to the heat and high humidity, hundreds of news-media people are going about in short trousers.

A reporter from Siam Sports Daily told me yesterday he visited the Olympic Village to do some interviews, only to find he couldn't get access.

A day pass is required for any reporter who needs to get into the village.

 His attempts in vain, he walked back to the press centre, his T-shirt soaked with sweat.

"It's really hot outside. I didn't want to wait for a shuttle bus [every 40 minutes]. I think I walked 10 kilometres," he puffed.

Before leaving for Beijing, I searched for news from China on the Internet and discovered the country is now running out of water.

Reports say two-thirds of Chinese cities face water shortage. More than 400 cities have a crisis, with 100 of them in serious trouble. They don't have enough water to support industry or daily life.

Now I know why my hotel hasn't provided me any drinking water - and the 20-night stay will cost Bt100,000. That sort of cash will get you a five-star hotel in Bangkok, and all the water you can drink. But, believe me, not here in Beijing during the Games fortnight.

Yesterday morning, I went to the restaurant. It's a small, square room. There was very little choice. I had a fried egg, a small sausage and a glass of orange juice. Again, no drinking water. When I asked, I got a small glass of the precious liquid.

The weather forecast is for sustained hot and humid weather. So, I'll be needing lots of water. We can get it at the press centre but, you have to be quick.

If you're late, all the bottles would have been snapped up.