
Thailand · Asia
The best time to visit Thailand (Bangkok) is January, February, March, November, and December. In summer, daytime highs average 36°C (97°F), with peaks around 38°C (100°F); in winter, nights average 24°C (75°F), dropping to around 19°C (66°F) on the coldest. Rainfall is very low during the best travel period (28 mm (1.1 in)), making Thailand (Bangkok) an ideal destination.
Bangkok lies in the heart of the Chao Phraya lowlands and has a tropical monsoon climate with three clearly distinguishable seasons. The coolest and driest time from November to February is the classic high season: temperatures of typically 26–32°C (79–90°F), low humidity and blue skies make temples, markets and canal boat rides a pleasure. Those who want to explore Bangkok at leisure come during these months.
The hottest time is March to May: the monthly average high temperature rises to 33–34°C (91–93°F), combined with increasing humidity shortly before the monsoon. The Songkran water festival in mid-April — Thailand's New Year — falls right in the middle of this heat phase; the street water fights in the city centre are less fun than a climatic survival strategy at this point. From May the rainy season begins, lasting until October.
The rainy season from May to October brings daily showers, usually in the afternoon and evening. Bangkok is less touristically crowded at this time, cheaper and — thanks to the lush garden plantings of the temples — beautiful in its own way. The flood risk increases in October and November, when the monsoon abates and parts of the city centre can occasionally go underwater. Those who plan flexibly and don't depend on sunshine will find a more vibrant and authentic Bangkok in the low season.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ø day, range from coolest to warmest dayØ dayrange | 32° (90°)27– (81–)35 (95) | 34° (93°)29– (84–)36 (97) | 35° (95°)30– (86–)37 (99) | 36° (97°)31– (88–)38 (100) | 35° (95°)30– (86–)37 (99) | 34° (93°)30– (86–)36 (97) | 34° (93°)30– (86–)35 (95) | 34° (93°)30– (86–)36 (97) | 33° (91°)29– (84–)35 (95) | 33° (91°)29– (84–)35 (95) | 33° (91°)29– (84–)35 (95) | 32° (90°)27– (81–)35 (95) |
Ø night, range from coldest to warmest nightØ nightrange | 24° (75°)19– (66–)26 (79) | 25° (77°)21– (70–)27 (81) | 27° (81°)23– (73–)28 (82) | 28° (82°)24– (75–)30 (86) | 28° (82°)24– (75–)30 (86) | 27° (81°)24– (75–)29 (84) | 27° (81°)24– (75–)28 (82) | 27° (81°)24– (75–)28 (82) | 26° (79°)24– (75–)28 (82) | 26° (79°)23– (73–)27 (81) | 26° (79°)22– (72–)27 (81) | 24° (75°)19– (66–)27 (81) |
☀️Sunshine | 4h | 5h | 5h | 5h | 4h | 4h | 3h | 3h | 3h | 4h | 4h | 4h |
🌧Rain Days | 2d28mm (1.1") | 2d22mm (0.9") | 3d47mm (1.8") | 6d100mm (3.9") | 12d223mm (8.8") | 13d198mm (7.8") | 14d213mm (8.4") | 16d219mm (8.6") | 19d344mm (13.6") | 15d290mm (11.4") | 5d61mm (2.4") | 1d15mm (0.6") |
In March, April, and May, temperatures can exceed 34°C (93°F) — during physical activity or with children, it's best to stick to morning and evening hours.
April offers great weather in Thailand (Bangkok) with fewer tourists and lower prices — ideal for those who want to avoid the peak season crowds.
Bangkok at its most pleasant: temperatures below 33°C (91°F), hardly any rain, temple visits without heat exhaustion. Loi Krathong lanterns light up the Chao Phraya in November, and New Year's Eve is celebrated on the river.
Hot, hot, hot — and then Songkran. April brings the most extreme heat of the year at 35–38°C (95–100°F), but the water festival turns three days of it into a collective frenzy of joy. Before Songkran, most visitors seek refuge in malls and museums.
Monsoon season: rain every day, mostly in the afternoon, and the heat stays anyway. Thanks to the Skytrain and air-conditioned markets, Bangkok works well in the rain — prices at their lowest of the year, Chatuchak weekend market less crowded.
The water festival is Thailand's biggest festival. For days, Bangkok's streets — especially Khao San Road — turn into a gigantic water-fight carnival.
Small banana-leaf boats with candles and flowers are floated on rivers and ponds. In Bangkok the biggest celebration takes place along the Chao Phraya River.
City Trip
Pleasantly mild, not too hot