What is the best time to visit Bangkok – Best Weather or Low Prices

Want to know when is the best time and months to visit Bangkok?

When it comes to finding the best time of year to visit Bangkok, it’s like a double sided sword. Every month has its own advantages along with disadvantages.

Some months are considered the best time to visit Bangkok weather-wise, although never guaranteed. Other months may not have the best weather so there will be less tourists and consequentially also cheaper hotel prices. As someone that has lived in Bangkok and seen every month of the year, I would probably say the best time to visit Bangkok would be whatever time is best for you.

After all, properly choosing the ideal time of year to visit Bangkok is always going to require some compromises. Because the truth is, there is no time of year that has it all.

Where to stay in Bangkok

Properly choosing a hotel is just as important as deciding when to visit Bangkok. I’ve written a complete article about this subject, but personally I find Silom and Sathorn to be the most convenient, specifically the areas near the Saphan Taksin BTS stop where there is affordable places like Oriental Heritage Residence and the boho furnished SO Zen Hotel. There’s the skytrain that goes to Siam, a river shuttle service to the gorgeous Icon Siam mall, and getting to the temples is easy via the public boats since most temples are on or near the Chao Phraya river bank.

There is no shortage of high end hotels such as riverfront properties Shangri-La Bangkok and the chic Salil Hotel Riverside. And if budget is not an issue, the Mandarin Oriental.

Related – 2 Days in Bangkok Travel Plan

What is the best time to visit Bangkok – Considerations

Weather

June to October: Whether visiting Bangkok for the first time or not, weather is usually at the forefront of considerations. On average, the rainy season in Bangkok runs between June and October. But with any weather forecasts this can change and sometime starts earlier or later.

March to June: These months are known for unbearable heat with high temperatures and also high humidity levels. If visiting during this time, do any type of outdoor activities early in morning to avoid getting cooked in the sun. And always drink plenty of water. Avoid the mid day heat by visiting malls or any other indoor amenities.

Weather wise, the best time to visit Bangkok is between November and February. This time is considered winter in Thailand as it’s the coolest time of year. During these months the weather is comfortable with temperatures hovering around 30℃ during the day and 20℃ at night and lower humidity rates.

The best time to visit Bangkok: I personally think the best time to visit Bangkok is within the first weeks of November and the last weeks of March. November is just after the rainy season. The weather is nice with cooler temperatures and peak season isn’t quite in full swing. End of March is similar. The Christmas crowds will have left and all the Chinese new year festivities will also have ended. Days will be getting slightly hotter but still no rain.

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Rainy season in Bangkok

The rainy season in Bangkok, which roughly runs between July and October, is an interesting time to visit Bangkok. Many have the misconception that rainy season means it rains all day, every day. That is very rarely the case. Rain usually comes in heavy bursts that typically last around 2 hours in the afternoon. And some days may not rain at all. While there is no guarantee of how the weather will pan out, what is guaranteed is fewer crowds, lower hotel prices and cheaper flights.

Flooding

During rainy season in Bangkok, the rain usually only lasts an hour or 2. However, sometimes it doesn’t stop and in these cases it is common for Bangkok to experience flooding especially in those parts that are far away from rivers like the Sukhumvit and Siam area.

Festivals in Bangkok

April 13th: The biggest celebration in Bangkok and Thailand in general happens on the 13th of April. Songkran is a massive celebration that takes place all over Thailand to mark the Thai New Year. The water represents washing away anything negative from the past year and starting the new year fresh.

Chinese New Year: Bangkok is home to a big community of Chinese. Thus the Chinese new year is a big holiday that draws a lot of attention for the celebrations that mostly happen along Yaowarat road in Chinatown. The Chinese new year doesn’t have a fixed date and falls between January 21 and February 20.

Crowds in Bangkok

The nice and comfortable weather between November and February is also peak season in Bangkok. This is when tourists visit Bangkok especially around the Christmas and New Year holidays. Attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, are the busiest this time. If you do go to Bangkok at this time, start your sight seeing early to avoid some of the crowds. Another option is to do a tour especially if visiting nearby attractions such as the ancient city Ayutthaya and want to learn about the gruesome history behind the bridge over the river Kwai in Kanchanaburi.

Prices

The peak season also means a big increase in demand for hotels, tours and transport. This means hotel prices are going to be higher during these months and options are going to be limited. This also applies for tours and transport such as trains, buses and internal flights where seats are often sold out in advance. It is best to plan accordingly and book any hotels, tours and transport in ahead of your travel dates.

Pollution

Between December and January Bangkok has been experiencing an increase in pollution. This is partly due to the increase of visitors thus using more taxis and other transport to move around. Another reason is farmers burning their fields from weeds and other crops to make way for the next season.

Things to do in Bangkok when it’s raining

Rain can be as unpredictable as any type of weather forecast. Even during dry season in Bangkok rain can come unexpectedly. But don’t let this get in your way and ruin your travel plans. Actually, rainy days can be quite fun and offer a different perspective of the city. And even getting wet won’t result in feeling cold as temperatures still remain high.

Malls: There’s countless malls in Bangkok where you could easily spend an entire day let alone a few hours until the weather clears up. Icon Siam and Siam Paragon are my favorites.

Food courts: Most of the malls have food courts serving traditional Thai cuisine along with western food.

Temples: Ok this may not be for everyone but visiting the temples when it rains is very interesting. In most cases you’ll have the entire place to yourself. And if you’re interested in photography, not only you won’t need to deal with any crowds, but the weather will create some unique photo opportunities.

Massage: There is no need for rain to be the reason of getting a massage. But can be a good excuse. There’s massage shops all over Bangkok with 1 hour sessions costing roughly $15 or less.

Questions and answers

Which is the best month to visit Bangkok?

November to February are considered the best months to visit Bangkok. These months falls after the rainy season and is when you can expect dry days and comfortable temperatures.

What is the rainy season in Bangkok?

Rainy season in Bangkok is between June and October. During these months Bangkok experiences the largest rainfall. However, rain usually comes in bursts that last around 2 hours in the afternoon and quickly clear up.

What is the cheapest time to go to Bangkok?

Low season is the months between July and October. During this time hotel prices are at their lowest with some really good deals on offer. Tours may also be slightly cheaper during this time of year.

Conclusion

So when is the best time to go Bangkok? The truth is that the best time will depend on many factors. But mainly, your personal preferences and priorities. I would say the best time would whenever is the best for you. After all, year round all the months have their own pros and cons.

If you want the best weather with least chance of rain and comfortable temperatures, then November to February are the best months. But you’ll have to deal with more crowds and higher prices.

If you want cheaper prices and less crowds, then March to November are usually less busy. The downside is that days can be unbearably hot and humid and some months fall in the rainy season.

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