Thailand’s shining capital is a vibrant, bustling place that calls to mind some iconic American cities. But while called the “City of Angels” like Los Angeles, and while the streets never sleep, like the Big Apple, Bangkok is a city unlike any other. From magnificent temples and luxury hotels to exotic street food and wild nightlife, you’re as likely to find a dull moment as a dull dish—that is, it’s near impossible. And while the good times roll near endlessly in Bangkok, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a best time to plan your visit to the big city. So if you’re trying to nail down the perfect time to visit, here’s your in-depth guide to the weather, festivals, and more to plan the trip of a lifetime.
Table of Contents
- The Weather in Bangkok
- Bangkok’s Most Popular Annual Events
- Know the Best Time to Go
- Bangkok Public Holidays and Occasions
The Weather in Bangkok
Despite being called the Land of Smiles, the weather isn’t always something to smile about. Like the rest of the country, Bangkok experiences three seasons: the hot summer season, the wet rainy season, and the mild cool season. But while the weather varies depending on when you go, each season offers something unique for visitors to experience and may help you determine your travel plans for the big city.
Hot Season (March to June)
Bangkok summers can get intense, with highs of 94-95°F. On top of the heat comes the humidity, making the hot season, on the whole, a bit of a sticky affair. But despite the oppressive temperatures, Bangkok stays busy. Locals and tourists will seek refuge in cooler locations—air-conditioned buildings, breezy rooftop bars, and cool river cruises—to escape the worst of the heat. Sightseeing and exploring the city’s markets and temples are best done in the early morning or evening. In contrast, the scalding afternoons are best spent inside or lazing by the pool.
Best Time to Visit Bangkok for Fewer Crowds
Wet Season (July to October)
The wet season brings rain showers and overcast skies, but if you expect the rain to offer a reprieve from the heat, think again. Like much of the year, the wet season has its share of hot and sunny days, with highs of 91°F. The rain often comes in bursts, with sudden showers that may catch you off guard while out exploring. But don’t let that put you off, as the rain usually arrives late in the afternoon or evening and only lasts a couple of hours. Indoor attractions like museums, food markets, and shopping malls will keep you plenty busy. With fewer tourists, travelers can also enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere in the big city.
Best Time to Visit Bangkok for Travel Deals
Cool Season (November to February)
Winter elsewhere might make you think of snow and heavy coats, but in Bangkok, it simply means the cool season has finally arrived. Temperatures drop to highs of 89°F and lows of 71°F. Likewise, humidity takes a nosedive, falling from oppressive and muggy to humid and dry. This marked improvement in the weather means Bangkok sees a spike in tourism. Travelers flock to the city in droves to explore temples, dine at riverside restaurants, and lazily stroll through parks and flea markets. With the addition of the holidays and several fun festivals, the cool season is also a festive time to experience Bangkok’s cultural offerings and vibrant street life.
Best Time to Visit Bangkok for Sightseeing
Bangkok’s Most Popular Annual Events
Thailand’s lively capital always has something going on. From New Year celebrations to giant water fights, these iconic annual events are worth planning your trip around.
Chinese New Year (January-February)
Bangkok’s rich cultural diversity is always on full display, but perhaps never so richly as during the Chinese New Year. During this time, millions of Chinese Thai come together with their families to celebrate and usher in the new year together. For three days, celebrations fill the streets with drummers, dragons, lion dancers, and colorful processions. As the heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown, Yaowarat is the center of the merriment and the best place to soak in the festivities. However, you’ll find New Year celebrations all over the city, from colorful decorations to festive revelers, making this one of the best times to visit Bangkok.
Makha Bucha (February)
Makha Bucha is a Buddhist holiday commemorating the day 1,250 disciples spontaneously gathered to listen to a sermon by the Buddha. In Bangkok, this day is marked by various religious ceremonies and activities at temples throughout the city. Wat Benchamabophit (the Marble Temple) and Wat Saket (the Golden Mount) are popular places to celebrate. The temples are adorned with colorful decorations, monks perform lantern lightings, and devotees participate in candlelit processions (called wian tian), offer prayers, and make merit by giving alms to monks. It’s a unique opportunity to witness traditional Buddhist rituals and immerse oneself in Thai culture and spirituality.
Songkran (April)
Songkran marks the start of the traditional Thai New Year and is hands down the best time to visit Bangkok for a lively celebration in the form of a city-wide party. Locals and tourists take to the streets armed with water guns, buckets, and hoses, drenching each other in water to symbolize the washing away of last year’s bad luck and sins. Temples hold religious ceremonies while Bangkok’s main thoroughfares, like Silom Road and Khao San Road, transform into vibrant, water-soaked arenas. In Bangkok, Songkran is a joyous, lively affair and an unforgettable way to experience the city.
Visakha Bucha (May)
Buddhist holidays make up a number of the festivals and important days on the Thai calendar. One of the most important and holiest days in Buddhism is Visakha Bucha. Taking place on the full moon of the sixth lunar month, Visakha Bucha commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. In Bangkok, celebrations typically take place at major temples, including Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). People gather to participate in candlelit processions around the temple grounds, make offerings to monks, and listen to sermons on Buddhist teachings. While not as loud and flashy as some of Thailand’s most well-known festivals, it’s a moving and deeply spiritual event that shouldn’t be missed when in town.
Loy Krathong (November)
Loy Krathong is one of the biggest festivals in Thailand and a much-anticipated event for locals and tourists. Celebrated on the full moon of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, Loy Krathong lights up Bangkok’s dark waterways with a spectacular lantern display. Countless people gather to release beautifully decorated krathongs onto the water, symbolizing the release of negative energy and making wishes for the future. In addition to the krathongs, there are dazzling fireworks displays, dance shows, and other cultural performances. It’s a magical and memorable experience of Thai culture and celebration amid the bustling cityscape.
Lopburi Monkey Festival (November)
Just a couple of hours outside of Bangkok is the city of Lopburi. The town is famously known for its thriving macaque population, and every year, it throws a traditional banquet to honor them. Regarded as sacred, the macaques are an integral part of Lopburi’s cultural heritage, making the festival a fascinating cultural event for travelers to experience. The grand feast attracts tourists worldwide to witness the unique spectacle in person and even join in the feeding of the monkeys.
Know the Best Time to Go
Is there a bad time to visit Bangkok? Maybe not. But we’d argue there is a best time to go to Bangkok, and it all depends on if you want to avoid the crowds, soak up the sun, or experience unmissable cultural events. So, if you want to know the best time to go, read on for your must-know travel tips.
The Best Time to Visit Bangkok for Low Prices
Be sure to pack your rain jacket. Bangkok is famously inexpensive compared to other popular destinations, but if you’re still looking to score a deal to the capital of the Land of Smiles, the best time to go is during the rainy season. You can often find discounted accommodations and reduced airfare from May to October. As a bonus, you’ll also have fewer crowds to contend with while exploring Bangkok’s parks and temples. But don’t forget the rain—afternoon showers will likely drive you indoors for several hours, so come prepared to spend your afternoons perusing museums, grabbing a bite, or catching fun performances.
The Best Time to Visit Bangkok for Fewer Crowds
Bangkok is always a busy destination, but sometimes it’s nice to experience it without the swarms of other tourists also eager to explore its streets and temples. In that case, the best time to visit is undoubtedly the rainy season. Visitors between May and October will find the streets a lot quieter—though not quiet by any means—than during the cool season. But while the rainy season has its advantages, like shorter queues and more deals, it does come with the drawback of potentially getting rained out of your trip itinerary. If you want to avoid the rain as much as possible, plan your trip for May to July to dodge the worst of it.
The Best Time to Visit Bangkok for Good Weather
Delight in blue skies, pleasant weather, and lush greenery still sticking around from the end of the wet season. From December to February, the cool season reigns in Bangkok, offering up an abundance of beauty and dry weather to enjoy everything from river cruises to street shopping. Though the tradeoff to all this is often longer queues and higher prices, the slight inconveniences are worth it to experience Bangkok at what many claim to be its best.
The Best Time to Visit Bangkok for Festivals
You’ll rarely plan a trip to Thailand where something isn’t happening. But for those wanting to experience Bangkok’s rich cultural festivals, plan your trip for the midst of the hot season in April or the start of the cool season in November. Songkran ushers in the Thai New Year, and there are few better ways to shake off the scorching heat than getting doused with a few gallons of water.
In November, Loy Krathong is a quieter but no less magical time to be in Bangkok. Wash away the burdens of the past, launch beautiful krathongs out onto the water, and watch the dark waterways of Bangkok light up with the brilliant glow of hundreds and thousands of candles.
The Best Time to Visit Bangkok for Shopping
If there’s such a thing as a bad time to go shopping, such a time doesn’t exist in Bangkok. It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit the big city, the opportunities to shop are endless. Riverside shops, weekend markets, night markets, and more make Bangkok a shopper’s paradise. Hunt for rare finds in the chaotically fun Chatuchak Weekend Market, go shopping after dark to find designer items and secondhand treasure at the Khao San Road, and for everything else, visit the Mother of all Malls, Icon Siam, for 500 shops, an indoor floating market, and more.
With indoor malls and covered stalls, even the rain can’t ruin your days of shopping till you drop, allowing you to brighten the gray skies with a little—or a lot—of retail therapy.
Bangkok Public Holidays and Occasions
Certain public holidays in Bangkok can mean shop and business closures, as well as busier public transport networks, so be sure to factor this into your travel plans.
The main holidays are Chinese New Year, Thai New Year (Songkran), Christmas, and the Western New Year. During these times, temples can get busy, and other attractions may close. But if you don’t mind the crowds, visiting during one of these holidays can be a great way to get into the festive spirit. Whether you want to get in on the action or enjoy a quieter Bangkok, sign up for Next Vacay to score cheap flights and experience all the city has to offer firsthand.
