Renowned for its stunning temples, delicious street food and pounding nightlife, Bangkok is one of the most popular cities to visit in the world. While Thailand’s cosmopolitan capital is a rather crowded, chaotic place, that doesn’t stop countless millions from visiting each year.
As it is the cool season and its relentless heat and humidity aren’t quite so bad, most people head here between November and March. Despite the strong monsoon rains, both July and August also see an uptick in visitors due to the summer holidays in Europe. The odds of you getting soaked at some point are pretty high though!
To help you plan your trip, let’s now take a look at what the weather is like month-by-month in Bangkok and what big events are going on. You can then decide whether you want to visit for Songkran and Chinese New Year or give the rainy and hot seasons a skip.
What’s the Weather Like in Bangkok?
While temperatures are pretty consistent, averaging between 31 and 35°C (88–95°F) each month, Bangkok has three distinct seasons – these are the hot, wet and cool.
The most comfortable months weatherwise are from November to February when the city is a bit cooler and there is less humidity. Their dry, sunny days are best for sightseeing with its night markets being a great way to relax afterwards.
March until May is the hot season when its heat and humidity are quite unpleasant, at times soaring into the 40s (100s°F). As wandering about is so tiring, you’ll have to spend a lot of time cooling off in air-conditioned shopping malls.
From mid-May onwards, the monsoon season starts, only letting up in October. August and September are the rainiest months, averaging 19 and 20 days of rain. During this period, its days are quite overcast with thunderstorms mainly tipping it down in the late afternoon.
Best Months to Visit Bangkok
By far the most popular months to explore the massive metropolis are November through to January. This is when Europeans fleeing the cold head here for Christmas and countries like Australia and Singapore have their summer holidays. Chinese New Year also takes place during this period.
As a result, its hotel prices and airfares are more expensive. Although it is the ‘cool’ season, you’ll still need to dress lightly, hydrate regularly and take breaks from the scorching sun.
Both February and March also see lots of people visit but the heat and humidity are already creeping up again. After this is the off-season though April does have its wild, wet Songkran celebrations to take part in.
While July and August are very wet, some Western travelers still venture here during their summer holidays. Prices are cheaper and the city is a bit cooler and less crowded.
Bangkok in January
After December, January is the most popular month to visit Bangkok as loads of people have holidays, the weather is dry and there is less humidity. With nine hours of sunshine a day and average temperatures of 32°C (89°F), sightseeing can still be quite tiring. As the nights are cooler, dropping around 10 degrees, spending time outside in the evenings is very pleasant.
Due to the influx of visitors, prices are higher with its main temples and tourist sites being a bit more crowded. To be honest though, the capital’s streets are pretty much always chaotic and congested. If Khao San Road gets overwhelming, you can always take relaxing cruises along the Chao Phraya River. Its nearby beaches and Ayutthaya’s archaeological sites will be pretty packed though during this high season.
Bangkok in February
If Chinese New Year doesn’t fall in January, then February is when all its fun celebrations are held. Red lanterns are strung up everywhere with dragon parades, dance performances and acrobats all creating an amazing ambience in its Chinatown. Large crowds pour into the city to celebrate with many Thai also heading to the countryside to see their families.
As it is still peak season, expect to pay more for accommodation though flight fares should have come down a bit. While February is slightly hotter and more humid, its sunny, dry days are still some of the best for ambling around the capital. The Buddhist festival Makha Bucha also has lovely candlelit processions and large groups of worshipers express their gratitude at its many temples.
Bangkok in March
Before the worst of the heat and humidity hit, March is the last main month that people visit Bangkok until July. As its crowds have subsided somewhat, this is a good time to explore its temples, palaces and floating markets. Make sure to take breaks and hydrate often though as it can be uncomfortably hot during the day with even the evenings not being so cool now.
As March is the shoulder season, prices for hotels and flights fall further as less visitors head here on holiday. If you avoid the hottest hours of the day, it is the ideal month to sunbathe and swim at the country’s islands and beaches as there is barely a cloud in the sky. Towards the end of it though, the high temperatures are a bit extreme, especially for sightseeing.
Bangkok in April
The hottest month of the year, April is almost unbearable at times as averages of 35°C (so 95°F) during the day don’t get much better at night. While hotels are cheaper, you’ll want to book one with a pool. You can also cool off in Lumphini Park or at one of its air-conditioned malls. Sightseeing is tiring and not that enjoyable with the humidity also not helping.
On the plus side, you can find some great travel deals and there won’t be any crowds at its main attractions. Floating along the Chao Phraya River is also very pleasant. Loads of people also pour in to celebrate Songkran when massive water fights break out all around the city. Many businesses shut as residents head back to their hometowns for the Thai New Year.
Bangkok in May
This sweltering heat and humidity continues into May with most visitors staying away as a result. The approaching monsoon creates a muggy, oppressive feeling with the rainy season usually arriving around the middle of the month. Due to the uncomfortable conditions, May sees the least amount of tourists arrive.
While prices are low and there are no crowds, the weather really isn’t great for exploring the city. As well as the high temperatures, there are 15 days with quite a lot of rain. This does at least cool things down a bit. If it doesn’t fall in June, then Visakha Bucha is celebrated at its temples. Devout Buddhists make offerings and perform rituals commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha.
Bangkok in June
A bit better weatherwise, June is less muggy than May with its heat and humidity also being more manageable. While it does rain 15 days on average, its showers are not as strong and tend to pass quickly. You’ll still want to take an umbrella around with you though and spend time in its air-conditioned malls – many of which have discounts as it is the low season.
Both its airfares and accommodation prices remain very affordable with its main attractions also being devoid of crowds. Other than traipsing around CentralWorld, it’s worth heading to Wat Arun and the Grand Palace while no one is around.
Bangkok in July
Although July averages 17 days with torrential tropical downpours, there is a smallish spike in visitors as Europeans head here on their summer holidays. While flights tend to be more expensive, hotel prices remain roughly the same as tourist numbers are so low.
As Bangkok’s temples, palaces and museums are pretty quiet, July isn’t a bad month to see its sights. Most of the rain usually falls in the afternoon or around dusk so try and bear that in mind when you’re out and about. During this wet period, there is a mix of sunny days and cloudy ones, short, sudden showers and rainstorms that last almost all day.
Bangkok in August
August is even wetter in Bangkok, particularly towards the end of the month when the rains really pick up and some roads even flood. Despite the endless deluges, plenty of Europeans visit on their summer holidays. While flight prices are again a bit pricier, you can still pick up some fantastic deals on hotels.
In addition to exploring its historic temples and floating markets – with an umbrella in hand of course – there are some fun events to enjoy. Its Mid-Autumn or Mooncake Festival usually takes place in August with loads of stalls selling traditional treats. This is an excellent month to take Thai cooking classes or watch kick boxing bouts – anything to shelter from the rain!
Bangkok in September
After Europeans’ summer holidays are over, the number of visitors arriving plummets as the monsoon really sets in. September is the wettest month of the year with it raining a lot for 20 days on average. As well as its heavy rain and thunderstorms, there is a lot less sun with the skies often being overcast.
Even though the airfares and accommodation options are cheaper, September is one of the worst months weatherwise for wandering about the city. While the rain does make averages of 32°C (89°F) more comfortable, you’ll want to spend a lot of time indoors at its museums and malls. If you don’t mind getting wet or are a bit flexible in terms of sightseeing and day trips, this is one of the cheapest times to visit Bangkok.
Bangkok in October
Once mid-October comes around, its fierce downpours finally start to decrease a bit. It does still rain though for 16 days on average. As it is the last month before huge crowds pour in, it can be a great time to experience Bangkok’s lively markets and nightlife spots. After this, they get too busy and hotel prices shoot up.
Still quite hot and humid for the most part, October has a number of fun festivals to attend. While parades, dragon dances and fireworks displays are held in Chinatown for its traditional Vegetarian Festival, there is also its International Festival of Dance and Music going on. Lots of terrific plays and ballets then take place at its state-of-the-art Thailand Cultural Center.
Bangkok in November
Now that the rains are over, the skies are clear and days are sunny, November sees massive numbers of visitors arrive in Bangkok. While hotels and airfares are more expensive, the dry weather is perfect for sightseeing or sunbathing and swimming at its nearby beaches.
Happening areas like Khao San Road and Chatuchak Market are packed with queues forming at its main attractions. Other than sipping cocktails at rooftop bars, you can take part in its lovely Loy Krathong festival. Thousands of small candlelit vessels are released along its river and canals, creating a very magical ambience. Lots of fun games and holiday food can also be enjoyed at its Golden Mount Temple Fair.
Bangkok in December
As it is the most popular month of the year to visit, Bangkok is very crowded and even more chaotic in December. Prices are at their highest as everyone heads here for the holidays to enjoy the good weather. With 8 hours of sunshine, no rain and averages of 31°C (88°F), the cool days are some of the best for strolling about the city and taking trips along the river.
Besides the King’s Birthday celebrations, there are also the Trooping of the Colours military parade to watch. Christmas and New Year’s also have various festivities taking place with its rooftop bars being a great spot from which to admire the fireworks displays. Many shopping malls have huge discounts towards the end of the month to entice the holiday crowds.
English