What's the weather like in Bangkok?
Where is Bangkok?
Bangkok is located in Thailand, Asia, and is the country's capital and largest city. It lies in the southwest of the country on the Chao Phraya River near to the Gulf of Thailand.
The city is a large and bustling metropolis with more than 10 million people and is a hotspot for tourists, with many wanting to explore its striking surroundings and get to know its unique culture. In fact, Bangkok welcomes more tourists than any other city in the world.
What's The Climate Like In Bangkok?
Bangkok has a tropical climate, stifling hot temperatures, high humidity and influences from the South Asian monsoon system.
Bangkok Has Three Seasons: Hot, Rainy and Cool
The year is divided into three seasons; the hot season from March to June, rainy season from July to October and cool season from November to February. The weather is generally quite predictable during these three seasons.
General Weather Patterns in Bangkok
Despite wet and dry seasons taking place in the city, the overall weather exhibits distinct patterns. The temperature remains fairly consistent, which is typical of a tropical climate. Generally, temperatures reside between the mid-twenties in winter and the thirties in summer.
Rainfall varies greatly throughout the year, with between 180mm to 220mm of rain during the summer and the beginning of autumn, and only 10mm of rain during the winter months.
Flooding In Bangkok
Because it's only 6ft above sea level, Bangkok does have problems with flooding. During prolonged periods of rain, the city can experience severe and problematic flooding when the rivers and canals overflow.
The Venice Of The East
Bangkok has been dubbed the 'Venice of the East' because like Venice and Amsterdam it is made up of a system of canals upon the 372km long Chao Phraya River. Bangkok essentially lies over a swamp, with canals weaving through and across the city. It's thought Bangkok is actually sinking by up to two inches per year.
Rising Sea Levels in Bangkok
Combined with rising sea levels this means Bangkok could be in 50 to 100cm of water by 2025! But for now Bangkok is a wonderful tourist destination, with many attractions and picturesque views to entice visitors from around the world.
Cool Season in Bangkok
Temperature In Bangkok's Cool Season
The most popular time for tourists to visit Bangkok is between November and February which is known as the cool season. At this time of year the temperatures are still warm, but less stifling than the rest of the year.
The northeast monsoon blows cool, dry air across the city which makes things feel much more comfortable. Average temperatures reside between 26°C and 28°C with highs of 33°C, though temperatures do drop to their lowest of 21°C on an evening. December is generally the coolest month.
Rain In The Cool Season In Bangkok
There are also occasional showers to provide relief from the heat, however the cool season is also the driest and is generally calm and settled, so there's not much chance of heavy rainfall or storms ruining your holiday.
December, January and February are the driest months of the year, with just 10mm of rain and two wet days per month. Visitors will usually see clear blue skies every day at this time of the year and plenty of sunshine, as it is the sunniest time of the year, with an average of eight or nine hours of sunshine every day.
These cooler temperatures and lower rainfall make the weather much more bearable than the hot season and make it easier to explore the city by foot. It also makes the cool season the best time to visit Bangkok if you're looking for a relaxing break at one of the nearby beaches.
Hot Season in Bangkok
Temperature In The Hot Season In Bangkok
Between March and June, Bangkok experiences what is known asthe hot season. Though temperatures are hot all year round in the city, they peak at this time of year.
Average temperatures regularly hit 31°C in April, the hottest month of the year while high temperatures can reach a sweltering 35°C. Temperatures never drop below 25°C at this time of year, even at night which can feel rather relentless.
Rainfall In Bangkok's Hot Season
The hot season is generally dry but the city does experience some wet weather, in particular storms, towards the end of the season. From just 50mm in March, May sees 180mm of rain and 17 wet days on average. These bouts of rain bring some relief from the high heat.
Humidity In Bangkok's Hot Season
Along with high temperatures and storms, April to May is one of the steamiest times in Bangkok, with high humidity levels which can feel rather uncomfortable.
Rainy Season in Bangkok
Temperature In Bangkok's Rainy Season
Bangkok's rainy season begins with the arrival of the southwest monsoon, arriving in July and lasting until October, and brings some welcome respite from the heat and humidity. Though temperatures are hot all year round, they fall slightly, to an average of between 29°C and 30°C and highs of 33°C.
How Much Rain Does Bangkok Get In The Rainy Season?
The season is mainly characterised by the increase in rainfall that occurs. September is the month when the most rain takes place, with 220mm and 22 wet days on average, which can include everything from light rain to torrential showers.
How Much Sunshine Does Bangkok Get In The Rainy Season?
Despite wet season occurring during summer, there is still plenty of sunshine to enjoy (between five and six hours a day) and the rain can be a relief from the soaring temperatures, which usually sit in the high twenties.
The rain normally falls in the afternoon in Bangkok, but be prepared for days when the city is washed with rain for the entire day.
Low Season In Bangkok
Rainy season is often known as the low season as it is the least popular time for tourists to visit. However, this means that many hotels offer discounts on accommodation so travellers can get a great deal at this time of year.
If you're looking for a beach holiday, the rainy season may not be the ideal time to visit, but Bangkok has plenty of other attractions to offer which can be enjoyed in the rain.