When we think of a city vacation for shopping, nightlife, wining, dining and to simply have fun, Bangkok tends to immediately come to mind. It’s certainly no surprise that sunny Bangkok and the friendly locals make the vibrant city a choice vacation destination for many travelers all over the world.
So, when is the best time to visit Bangkok? First and foremost, if you have heard some folks share stories of how windy and rather cool the weather can get in Bangkok during December and January; please don’t take it with a grain of salt. By default, we call this period the ‘dry season’ and there are a few weeks where the temperature could dip as low as 15 degrees Celsius at night, in Bangkok itself. If you’re looking for sunny fun, then the dry season should probably be your second to last choice to visit.
What travelers refer to as the low season, in Bangkok that would be the rainy season. During July all the way to October, Bangkok is subjected to buckets of downpour and periodic rain. This is also a very humid period in Bangkok with the skies overcast most of the time. The rainy season is definitely not recommended if you want to stay dry. Apparently, it’s not just rain but thunderstorms, gusty winds and flash floods. The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway will also be full to the brim, packed with locals seeking transportation alternatives from buses, taxis and motorcycles to stay as dry as possible.
However, for returning visitors to Bangkok mostly for the shopping and dining, the rainy season might be preferred since this is when accommodation and plane ticket prices are rather low.
Besides the rainy and dry season, Bangkok has a third season that everyone just loves: the hot season. Who’s up for a bit of water splashing fun during Songkran? The hot season in Bangkok is in fact very hot with temperatures going as high as or even exceeding 40 degree Celsius. You might then be asking: isn’t the hot season the best time to visit Bangkok? Unfortunately, no. It could prove to be too hot for many visitors, especially young kids. Keep in mind though coming to Bangkok during hot season is sometimes no piece of cake; make sure you’re equipped with an arsenal of sunblock (SPF 50 or more), aloe vera and steroid creams. Why steroid creams you ask? If you have sensitive skin and suspect your skin has been burned, apply steroid cream immediately to lessen the chance of having your skin damaged.
So when exactly is the best time to visit Bangkok? Apparently, it’s the periods in-between seasons (the overlaps). February is a great month when it’s still rather dry and cool but not cold enough to have to walk around in a jacket. The sun is also not too hot to need a hat for going out and about. Rain? February sees little to no rain. Mid-march is also not bad. You may start to see some rain but considering that May is still the hot season, the sporadic showers actually helps to cool down the heat.
Finally, it’s sometimes really more about where you stay to accommodate traveling during the rainy season. After all, it would seem like the rainy season is the longest period and that might in fact be the time when you could get time off work or plan for a family vacation. The good news is: there are many hotels in Bangkok that offer direct or easy access to major public transportations like the skytrain. And in doing so, help you to stay dry while you enjoy shopping, dining and partying. There are also many lifestyle hotels, one of more well-known ones being Pullman Bangkok Hotel G. Lifestyle hotels are a great choice for days you have to stay indoors due to storm and heavy rain. They always have some sort of activity, events and mini concerts going on. There tends to be more wining and dining options as well.
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