The Best Time to Go to Bangkok

 November to February is the best time for comfortable weather

November marks the start of both Bangkok’s most comfortable weather as well as tourist high season, which runs until the end of February. While some refer to this period as the “cool” season, note that this is just a relative term. Temperatures still will be close to 30°C (86°F) or higher and there will be plenty of sunshine, while evenings can be quite pleasant, with lots of outdoor beer gardens opening up with no need for air conditioning. During this time you’ll even get a few cold snaps where the temperature will drop to 20°C (68°F) and all the locals will be bundled in down jackets and other winter-associated garb! This is also the one time of year when you have a chance to go sightseeing without being drenched in perspiration.

Not only is this the most pleasant time of year weather-wise, it’s also a season of some of the top Thai holidays, like Loy Krathong, when everyone floats illuminated banana-leaf boats on the canals and Chao Phraya River. Loy Krathong is held during the November full moon, and is followed up by the large Christmas and New Year festivities. While not traditionally Thai, all the shopping malls are decorated with large trees and there are countless shopping sales and restaurant holiday promotions. All the holiday energy is capped off by a massive New Year’s Eve celebration that features fireworks across the city, buzzing outdoor beer gardens and countdown parties. Towards the end of this season is Chinese New Year, usually taking place in February, where you can see traditional Chinese opera performances and watch the streets of Chinatown come to life with fantastic food, dragon parades and other colorful happenings.

By: Vynnie Valencia