Bangkok is the capital and the biggest city in Thailand. It is situated on flat low banks of the Chao Phraya River close to northern coast of the Gulf of Thailand. The city has pronounced subequatorial climate with minor seasonal shifts of temperature and distinct rainy and dry seasons.

Precipitation is relatively moderate due to prevailing influence of inland air masses. In fact Bangkok is drier than some European cities. For instance annual amount of precipitation in Thai capital is half as much as in Bergen, Norway. It is always warm in Bangkok with average annual range of temperature between 25 °C (77 °F) and 33 °C (91 °F)

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Bangkok

Most of spring is hot and dry in Bangkok. Heat may reach 37 °C (98 °F) in addition there is not much precipitation in March and April. Nights of first half of the season are cooler with around 26 °C (79 °F), but they are not long because there are 13 hours of sunlight in each day. In May rainy season starts with round 17 rainy days. And even frequent rainfall brings no relief from heat.

The sea in the Gulf of Thailand has temperature of 30 °C (86 °F), so there is no hide from hot air there too. In addition in April daytime temperature of 35 °C (95 °F) is accompanied by growing relative air humidity. In general spring isn’t the best season to visit the capital of Thailand.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +33 °C (92 °F) Min average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 45 mm (1.8")

April Max average t°: +34 °C (94 °F) Min average t°: +26.5 °C (80 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 72 mm (2.8")

May Max average t°: +33 °C (91 °F) Min average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 16 days Precipitation: 137 mm (5.4")

Spring Holidays

March 13 – National Elephant Day.

April 6 – Chakri Memorial Day.
April 13-15 – Songkran Festival.

May – Royal Ploughing Ceremony and Farmer’s Day.
May 1 – labor Day.
May (full moon in 6th Thai lunar month) – Vesak.

Summer in Bangkok

Summer brings south-eastern monsoon to the city. During this season Bangkok as well as other localities of the country receive majority of annual amount of precipitation. It usually rains after noon or at night. Rain in Bangkok usually lasts for quarter of hour to hour and accompanied by strong winds and lightning. Frequency of precipitation increases with progression of the season. By August it rains each day.

In terms of temperature summer in the city is pretty hot too, but slightly cooler than spring. Air humidity of 75-80% makes the weather rather uncomfortable. Temperature of the sea doesn’t changes.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +32 °C (90 °F) Min average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 16 days Precipitation: 137 mm (5.2")

July Max average t°: +31.5 °C (89 °F) Min average t°: +25.5 °C (78 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 17 days Precipitation: 141 mm (5.6")

August Max average t°: +31.5 °C (89 °F) Min average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 18 days Precipitation: 150 mm (5.9")

Summer Holidays

July 28 – H.M. the King’s Birthday.
July (full moon in 8th Thai lunar month) – Asalha Puja.
July (first waning moon in 8th Thai lunar month) – Beginning of Vassa.

August 1 – Thai Women’s Day.
August 12 – H.M. Queen Sirikit’s Birthday.

Autumn in Bangkok

September in Bangkok is the peak of rainy season. Daily amount of sunshine decreases, but temperature sits around 32 °C (89 °F) at afternoons and 25 °C (77 °F) at nights. Also first half of autumn is dull time when the sky is covered with clouds most of time. Though amount of rainfall gradually decreases with course of the season and by late October monsoons are gone.

November is dry and cooler by bit than previous months. Temperature and air humidity in last month of autumn are comfortable and the sea is as warm as it always. Great weather conditions marking beginning of tourist season. Bangkok in November is the great place to escape from approach of winter in temperate climate.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +31 °C (88 °F) Min average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 18 days Precipitation: 244 mm (9.6")

October Max average t°: +31 °C (87 °F) Min average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 15 days Precipitation: 196 mm (7.7")

November Max average t°: +31 °C (87 °F) Min average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 46 mm (1.8")

Autumn Holidays

October – Vegetarian Festival.
October 13 – H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day.
October 23 – King Chulalonkorn Day.

November 4 – Loi Kratong.

Winter in Bangkok

Winter is gorgeous season in the capital of Thailand. Monsoon winds and showers had gone, the sky is bright and the air is hot. Afternoon heat of 31-33 °C (88-91 °F) is balanced by cool nights with temperature of 21-23 °C (70-73 °F). In addition the sea cools down to 28 °C (82 °F) making sunny seaside afternoons especially pleasant. February is the warmest month, but difference of average temperature is almost neglectable. With proper sunscreens and other precaution measures winter vacation in the city will be unforgettable.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +30.5 °C (87 °F) Min average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 10 mm (0.4")

January Max average t°: +31 °C (88 °F) Min average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 18 mm (0.7")

February Max average t°: +32 °C (90 °F) Min average t°: +23 °C (74 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 15 mm (0.6")

Winter Holidays

December 5 – King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Birthday Anniversary.
December 10 – Constitution Day.
December 31 – New Year’s Eve.

January 1 – New Year’s Day.
2nd Saturday of January – Children’s Day.
January-February – Chinese New Year.

February (full moon in 3rd Thai lunar month) – Magha Puja.
February 14 – St Valentine’s Day.
February-March – Wai Khru Tattoo Festival.