Best Time To Visit Bangkok

The shoulder season in Bangkok is from March to June, September and October. The city is not as crowded in these months as compared to the hot months. September and October are the wettest months. If you plan to visit during this time, then carry your rain essentials and do not step out without an umbrella. However, battling the rain has its perks, since the flight tickets and hotel prices fall during the shoulder season. It is highly likely that you will get a table in your dream restaurant without making a reservation. If it rains on the day you planned to explore the outdoors, don’t fret. There is a range of exciting indoor activities that you can pursue solo or with your loved ones like visiting temples and cinema halls. There’s more than one reason to rejoice.

Offseason in Bangkok is from July and August. The city experiences brief but tumultuous rains during this season. The weather is cold, wet and humid and the skies are generally cloudy. If you can survive the weather, you will be thrilled to know that the hotels and eateries offer the most enticing discounts and deals around this time. The tourist attractions are mostly deserted, so you have a solid chance of getting a selfie in front of Wat Arun Temple without anyone walking into your frame. Make sure to check live weather updates before stepping outside. You will end up saving money if you visit Bangkok in the cold season.

Heat waves characterise Bangkok summers with a 32% chance of rainfall in March and a 60% chance of rains by May. April is the hottest month in Bangkok with a temperature as high as 35-degree Celsius during the day. With an average of 8-9 hours of sunshine a day, the temperature in summers hovers between 26 degrees to 35-degree Celsius. You should avoid spending long hours directly under the sun since heat strokes are widespread phenomena in Bangkok.

If you are not very fond of the sun, you can vacation near the beach where it is cooler, and the heat is not unbearable. You can also choose to stay indoors during the day and step out in the evening to explore Bangkok’s glamorous nightlife. The Khao San Road in Bangkok has something for everybody - restaurants, bars, cafes, jazz clubs, and more. April receives a little bit of rainfall, but not enough to derail your plans. We suggest you take a swim in Koh Tao to recover from the weather. Make sure to book a room with air conditioning. May is wetter than April, and the humidity levels soar during May in Bangkok. June marks the onset of the rainy season in Bangkok with just 6 hours of sunshine a day.

Events & Festivals in the Hot Season (March to June)

• Bangkok invites you to Sing Sing Theater to catch Gab Rhome on the 27th of March. DEMO will host a Jam Party Series where DJs and music artists from far and wide will descend in Bangkok on the 29th of March.
• The Red Cross Fair is a biannual event whose mission is to raise funds for the Thai Red Cross Society. Hosted in March, you can participate in raffles, games, and ride on the giant wheel.
• The city hosts Linaro Connect on the 1st of April. This 5-day long biannual event sees industry experts from the tech field gather to discuss new tech developments.
• The event coincides with Synnex Partners Connect, another tech symposium, which will be conducted at Avani Riverside Bangkok Hotel.
• Songkran Festival in Bangkok will be observed from 13th to 15th of April.
• Bangkok invites you to the annual Songkran Splash Away Pool Party on the 13th of April. The event will take place at W Bangkok. 
• The Global Azure Bootcamp, a community event for Microsoft Azure users, will be conducted on the 27th of April.
• Bangkok will host the Royal Ploughing Ceremony on the 10th of May.
• 15 June marks the onset of the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale at shopping malls across Bangkok. It is a month-long festival which is sponsored by Thailand Tourism.
• NEPCON Thailand, an electronics manufacturing symposium, will take place on the 19th of June in BITEC, Bangkok.

The rains wash over Bangkok, but they never last more than 30 minutes. It continues to be humid, so make sure you’re keeping yourself replenished by drinking enough fluids. Brief, unpredictable spells of rain may wreak havoc on your plans, so make sure to check the weather online before stepping outside. The temperature in the wet season hovers between 26 and 34 degrees Celsius in the day and drops to 26 degrees in the night. The city receives average sunshine of 5 hours a day. It continues to be hot in August in Bangkok, which screams beach weather.

You may encounter rain showers during the morning and afternoon in August. Bangkok’s drainage system is not the best in the world, and the sewers typically get blocked around this time when the city experiences its first heavy rains. Carry an umbrella with you at all times and bring a waterproof bag for your electronics. Make sure you wear appropriate footwear. Take shelter in one of the entertainment complexes in case it starts to rain when you’re outdoors. September and October are the wettest months in Bangkok. The crowd begins to thin around this time. The brief spells of rain are intense in September. There’s a dip in the amount of rain that the city receives in October, which means that your outdoor plans will not be affected.

Events & Festivals in the Wet Season (July to October)

• Thailand Oil and Gas Roadshow 2019 will be hosted by Bangkok this year on July 11. July 19 and 20 are public holidays on account of Asana Bucha and Khao Pansa. The former celebrates the day of Buddha’s first sermon while the latter commemorates the onset of the Buddhist Lent.
• August 12 is celebrated as the Queen’s birthday.
• Apart from this, the Short Film and Video Festival is held in mid-August.
• Chinese Ghost Festival is celebrated on the 15th of August.
• YOLO Run Bangkok is a reputed marathon that will take place on the 23rd of September.
• The Moon Festival is celebrated across Bangkok on the 13th of September.
• Starting on the 8th of October, the Vegetarian Festival is a 9-day long event which draws both vegetarians non-vegetarians to Bangkok during this time of the year. This fest is celebrated on a grand scale.
• The 4th World Summit and Expo on Food Technology will be hosted by Bangkok this year on the 24th and 25th of October.

It may be the winter season, but you will get plenty of sunshine in January in Bangkok. The weather is typically cold and pleasant with little chance of rainfall. You can bid overcast skies goodbye. It is warm enough to pack your short dresses and saunter on the beach. Since Bangkok is humid all year round, remember to stay hydrated. The temperature in the cold season hovers between 22 and 32 degrees Celsius in the day and drops to 22 degrees in the night. Bangkok is warmer in February as compared to the rest of the world. The city receives average sunshine of 8 hours a day. Pack light clothing, a hat to protect yourself from the sun, and one light sweater in case there’s a nip in the air. The tourist attractions are crowded during December, so you should ideally visit famous places in the morning to avoid the afternoon crowd. December also happens to be the coldest time of the year.

Events & Festivals in the Cool Season (November to February)

• Royal Barge Procession plays out during November around the Grand Palace. Make sure to book tickets in advance to score a great viewing spot.
• Every year, Loy Krathong is celebrated on the 4th of November to pay respects to the water goddess. The sight of thousands of candles floating in the water is one to behold. The most popular points to view the ceremony are Asiatique, Wat Saket and Phra Athit Pier.
• Bangkok will host the Trooping of the Colours ceremony on the 5th of December. The royal guards and the Royal Thai Navy, the Royal Thai Army, and the Royal Thai Air Force wear colourful uniforms and retake the oath of allegiance towards their nation.
• Christmas in Bangkok is crowded with most restaurants and hotels offering exciting deals and discounts.
• New Year’s Eve in Bangkok is marked by fireworks and exciting events and parties across the city.
• Bangkok Symphony Orchestra hosts many free open-air concerts in Lumpini Park on Sunday throughout January.
• Bangkok celebrates National Children’s Day on the 13th of January. Nobody does New Year better than the city of Bangkok. Make sure to catch the spectacular fireworks at Central World Square.
• Bangkok Symphony Orchestra’s open-air concerts continue to be held until the second week of February.
• Bangkok celebrates Valentine’s Day on the 14th of February by offering deals on accommodations and food.
• Chinese New Year is celebrated on the 16th of February. Chinatown in Bangkok is all decked up. If you want to see explosions in the sky and dragon dancers, head to Chinatown.