Season guide · Bangkok · Thailand
Bangkok in the hot season
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Azreey, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Intense heat, often above 35°C, with Songkran in April and the mango harvest; plan indoor breaks at midday. Expect highs up to 35°C (95°F) and lows around 26°C (79°F), with about 23 rainy days across March–May.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 26°C (79°F) to 35°C (95°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 23
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in the hot season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 34°C (93°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 | 12 h | 3/5 |
| April | 35°C (95°F) | 27°C (81°F) | 5 | 12.4 h | 3/5 |
| May | 34°C (93°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 15 | 12.8 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 34°C (93°F) against a yearly 33°C (91°F), and 23 of the year's roughly 124 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in the hot season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- April: Songkran — Thai New Year water festival, especially on Silom Road and Khao San Road (13–15 April)
- May: Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang (usually May)
- May: Visakha Bucha — Buddhist holiday (May or June)
Make the most of the weather
Park · Silom
Lumphini Park
Go early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat, and keep a respectful distance from the monitor lizards.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Religious site · Banglamphu
Wat Saket (Golden Mount)
A gilded chedi crowns an artificial hill reached by a spiral path of about 300 steps lined with bells, gongs and small waterfalls.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Silom
Mahanakhon SkyWalk
Book a slot shortly before sunset to see the city in daylight and after dark in one visit.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- After dark
- Couples
- Kids
Experience · Riverside
Rooftop bars
Bangkok has some of the world's highest open-air bars, from the gold-domed Sky Bar on the 63rd floor of the State Tower by the river to rooftop terraces along Sathorn and Sukhumvit.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- After dark
- Views
- Couples
- Iconic
Nature · Bang Krachao
Bang Krachao
Take a longtail ferry from Wat Khlong Toei Nok pier, rent a bicycle on arrival and set off early before the heat.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Active
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Day trips in the hot season
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (About 1.5–2 hours by car) — Bangkok's best-known floating market, where vendors in wooden boats sell fruit, noodles and souvenirs along narrow canals.
- Maeklong Railway Market and Amphawa (About 1.5 hours by car) — At Maeklong, market stalls line the railway track and pull back their awnings each time a train passes through.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the hot season a good time to visit Bangkok?
It is a trade-off: Intense heat, often above 35°C, with Songkran in April and the mango harvest; plan indoor breaks at midday. The best months overall are November–February.
+What is the weather like in Bangkok in the hot season?
Highs of up to 35°C (95°F) and lows around 26°C (79°F), with about 23 rainy days over the season.