It’s virtually impossible to visit Thailand and not spend at least one or two nights in Bangkok. The first thing you’ll need is a Bangkok airport taxi to get to your hotel. Anyone coming from the Western hemisphere is likely to want to take a day to relax and get over their jet lag, and Bangkok is a great place to do that.
This leaves most people with a day or two in Bangkok to see some of its more interesting and charming sights. So, no matter where in Thailand you’re headed, it’s helpful to know the best time to come to Bangkok.
“Best” Is Subjective
If you go strictly by what Google and most travel sites tell you, November to April is the absolute best time to come to Thailand. This is because November to April is the dry season, and it seldom rains during this time.
Temperatures from mid-November through the middle of February are often lower than at other times of the year. In fact, in northern Thailand during this time, it can get down to ten degrees Celsius (fifty degrees Fahrenheit). Overall, this makes the weather a bit more pleasant to walk around in, though the cloudless skies means the sun can come down hard on a humid day, and in Bangkok, every day is a humid day.
Because November to April is the “high season,” as the Thai tourism industry knows it, the prices for accommodations, airfares, and other activities will typically be higher during this time. You’re also very likely to experience large crowds at popular tourist sites.
Those visiting in March and April should be aware that this time is considered Thai summer and the hottest temperatures of the year are often found in these months. Additionally, agricultural burning may mean the air quality is less than ideal. Finding your way to a breezy beach town is the best way to avoid the smog and heat during these months.
Off-Season Is More Relaxed
Visiting Thailand at other times of the year can also be a fantastic option. Not only will you find that accommodation and airfare prices are less expensive, you’ll find fewer people waiting in line for popular things to see in Bangkok.
Not having to push your way through throngs of tourists can make your trip more enjoyable and allow you to see those perfect, Instagrammable spots without one hundred people milling around in the background.
Reduced tourism in these months also means that getting around Bangkok is easier, because there is less traffic overall. Shopping malls and tour companies will offer reduced prices in the low season, and you may find vendors at night markets more willing to haggle on prices.
Overall, this means an off-season visit to Thailand can allow you to see the real Thailand—a country that isn’t completely filled with tourists. A trip like this can leave you more relaxed and with a better understanding of a country and its culture.
It Isn’t Like You See in the Movies
When people think of the rainy season in Southeast Asia, they often think of scenes from movies that depict the rainy season as a nonstop monsoon that leaves everything flooded for months at a time. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Even if the weather forecast says there is a 100% chance of rain every single day for a month, it does not mean that it will rain all day, every day.
During the rainy season, it will rain two to three times most days–usually in the afternoon and evenings. A typical rain shower lasts for about twenty minutes, and then the storm passes and life continues. These brief rains also help to drastically lower the temperature.
Another key reason to visit Thailand in the rainy season is the incredibly verdant colours that can be seen throughout the countryside. This time of year also brings cool evenings and clean air after the rain washes away any pollution or smog that may be lurking in the atmosphere.
Before You Go
There’s no time that is guaranteed to give you the best trip of your life, but when it comes to Thailand, there’s never a bad time to go. With some of the above information in mind, you can plan the trip of your dreams!