Weather and climate in Bangkok (Thailand)

In Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon), there is a tropical climate, hot all year round, with a dry season from November to April and a rainy season, due to the monsoon, which runs roughly from mid-May to October. Before the monsoon, in April and May, there is however an increase in showers and thunderstorms.
The city is the capital of Thailand and is located at nearly 14 degrees north latitude, in the delta of the Chao Phraya River, which flows into the bay of Bangkok, the northern part of the Gulf of Thailand.
In winter, between mid-November and January, the weather is good, usually with clear skies. Highs are around 32 °C (90 °F) and lows around 23 °C (73 °F).
Although the winter is hot, there can sometimes be cool periods, which were more frequent in the past, and in which the night temperature drops to 15 °C (59 °F) or below. The record is 10 °C (50 °F), set in January 1955. More recently, in December 1999, it dropped to 13 °C (55.5 °F), and to 11.7 °C (53 °F) at Don Mueang Airport, located in the northern part of the city.
By February, temperatures start to rise; the weather remains sunny, although occasionally a few short thunderstorms can develop.
Between March and mid-May, before the arrival of the monsoon, the heat becomes intense, and even at night it continues to be hot, in fact the temperature often remains around 28/29 °C (82/84 °F). The capital is not as hot as the north-central inland areas, but in return it's more humid because of the proximity to the sea; moreover, the heat is trapped within the big city (a phenomenon known as urban heat island effect). There is nothing left but to take refuge in air-conditioned rooms. The heat record from March to May is 40 °C (104 °F).
Around mid-May, the monsoon arrives, and the temperature starts to decrease. In this period, the weather is often cloudy, the humidity rises further, but at least the rains, in the form of showers and thunderstorms, sometimes intense, bring a bit of relief. Anyway, in these summer months, in the intervals between periods of bad weather, very hot days may still occur.
Here are the average temperatures.

Throughout the year, 1,650 mm (65 in) of rain fall. The wettest months are at the beginning and the end of the monsoon, namely May, September and October. Here is the average precipitation.

In Bangkok, the amount of sunshine is very good in the dry season, from December to April, when the sky is usually clear, while it's not high in the monsoon season, from June to September, when there are several cloudy periods.

The sea in Bangkok is warm all year round, as we can see in the following table.



From June to December, but more likely from September to November, Bangkok can be affected by typhoons, the tropical cyclones of Southeast Asia. Typhoons follow a trajectory from east to west: they affect the continental part of Thailand after releasing the bulk of energy over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, however, they can still bring heavy rains. For this reason, Bangkok is quite sheltered, and in the last few centuries, since it has become a major city, it has never been hit by destructive cyclones.

Best Time

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The best time in Bangkok is from December to mid-February, since it is the least hot and outside of the rainy season.
In November, the weather is generally good, but there is the risk that a cyclone will pass, even if, as we have said, it is low.
From late February to late April, the weather is often good, although there can be some showers, and it is also very hot.

Bangkok - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.3 °C (73.9 °F) and a maximum of 32.7 °C (90.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it dropped to 14 °C (57.2 °F) in January 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 37.6 °C (99.7 °F) in January 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 13 mm (0.5 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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February is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 29.2 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 24.8 °C (76.6 °F) and a maximum of 33.7 °C (92.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71 °F). However, it dropped to 16.1 °C (61 °F) in February 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 38.8 °C (101.8 °F) in February 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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March is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 30.5 °C (87 °F), with a minimum of 26.3 °C (79.3 °F) and a maximum of 34.7 °C (94.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) in March 2011.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (99 °F). However, it reached 40.1 °C (104.2 °F) in March 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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April, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 31.5 °C (89 °F), with a minimum of 27.2 °C (81 °F) and a maximum of 35.8 °C (96.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it dropped to 22 °C (71.6 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (86 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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May is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 31 °C (88 °F), with a minimum of 26.9 °C (80.4 °F) and a maximum of 35.1 °C (95.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it dropped to 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) in May 2009.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in May 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 250 mm (9.8 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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June is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 30.2 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 26.4 °C (79.5 °F) and a maximum of 34.1 °C (93.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it dropped to 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) in June 2009.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 38.8 °C (101.8 °F) in June 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (85.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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July is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.8 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 26.1 °C (79 °F) and a maximum of 33.5 °C (92.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it dropped to 22.6 °C (72.7 °F) in July 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 37.9 °C (100.2 °F) in July 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 175 mm (6.9 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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August is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.6 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 25.9 °C (78.6 °F) and a maximum of 33.3 °C (91.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it dropped to 22.3 °C (72.1 °F) in August 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 38.2 °C (100.8 °F) in August 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 220 mm (8.7 in), distributed over 20 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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September is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.3 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 25.4 °C (77.7 °F) and a maximum of 33.2 °C (91.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it dropped to 21.9 °C (71.4 °F) in September 2002.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in September 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 335 mm (13.2 in), distributed over 21 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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October is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.0 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) and a maximum of 33 °C (91.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it dropped to 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) in October 1994.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 37.9 °C (100.2 °F) in October 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 290 mm (11.4 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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November is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 28.9 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) and a maximum of 33.1 °C (91.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it dropped to 18 °C (64.4 °F) in November 1992.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 38.8 °C (101.8 °F) in November 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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December, the least warm month of the year, is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 27.7 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.1 °C (73.6 °F) and a maximum of 32.3 °C (90.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13.2 °C (55.8 °F) in December 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 37.1 °C (98.8 °F) in December 1995.
Precipitation amounts to only 6 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.