Summer in Bangkok feels like a mix of heat, humidity, and frequent rain that shapes everyday life. Expect average daytime highs around 33–35°C (91–95°F), and nights usually don’t cool below 26°C (79°F). The air stays thick and muggy, and sudden downpours often break up the heat, especially from June through September.
When you step outside, you’ll often see hazy or overcast skies. Sunshine pops through between showers, but rain usually comes in short, heavy bursts, leaving the streets steaming afterward.
The weather can feel intense, but honestly, that’s part of what gives Bangkok its unique summer vibe.
Knowing what to expect helps you plan your days. Whether you’re exploring temples, grabbing street food, or hopping on a boat along the Chao Phraya River, understanding the mix of heat, rain, and humidity will help you make the most of your time here.
Overview of Summer Weather in Bangkok
Bangkok’s summer brings high heat, heavy humidity, and plenty of rain. You’ll get long stretches of cloudy skies, with the sun showing up briefly between storms.
The combination of hot temperatures and monsoon rains really shapes how you spend time outdoors.
Typical Summer Climate Patterns
Summer in Bangkok usually stretches from May through October, overlapping with the southwest monsoon season. Daily highs often hit 33–35 °C (91–95 °F), and nighttime lows stick close to 26–28 °C (79–82 °F).
Humidity stays high, usually over 70%, making the air feel even warmer. Rain falls frequently, with September standing out as the wettest month, averaging over 300 mm.
Even with all that rain, the sun still peeks out in short bursts. On average, you get 5–6 hours of sun per day during the rainiest months.
This mix of heat, humidity, and sudden showers is just what summer in Bangkok feels like.
Key Weather Influences
The southwest monsoon drives most of Bangkok’s summer weather. Moist air from the Indian Ocean blows in, bringing frequent showers and thunderstorms.
These storms usually roll in during the afternoon or evening, cooling things down for a bit.
The urban heat island effect also keeps city temperatures higher than in nearby rural spots. Bangkok’s dense buildings and heavy traffic trap heat, so nights rarely cool off enough to feel comfortable without air conditioning.
Tropical cyclones, or typhoons, sometimes influence the weather from September to November. Bangkok doesn’t get hit directly very often, but storms passing through Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia can still dump heavy rain here.
Seasonal Weather Variations
Summer weather shifts gradually each month. In May and June, the rains start, but you’ll still see plenty of hot, sunny days.
By July and August, rain gets more regular, and skies stay overcast much of the time.
September brings the most rain, with the highest totals and the most rainy days. Flooding sometimes hits low-lying areas during this stretch.
By October, rain begins to ease up, though showers are still common. Temperatures stay high, but humidity slowly drops, hinting at the cooler, drier months ahead.
Average Air Temperature During Summer
Bangkok stays hot all summer, with little change between day and night. June, July, and August all bring high temperatures, and humidity makes it feel even hotter.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperature Ranges
During summer, daytime highs average around 33–34 °C (91–93 °F). The sun and high humidity can make it feel even hotter, especially in the afternoon.
At night, temperatures usually hover around 26 °C (79 °F). Unlike cities where evenings cool off, Bangkok’s tropical air keeps nights warm and sticky.
Because there’s not much difference between day and night, you’ll feel consistent warmth around the clock. Most hotels and public places have air conditioning, which helps a lot.
Monthly Temperature Trends
The summer season covers June through August. Each month brings only slight changes in temperature, but rain and humidity levels shift more.
- June: Highs average 34 °C, lows about 26 °C.
- July: Highs stay near 34 °C, lows steady at 26 °C.
- August: Highs still average 34 °C, lows about 26 °C.
With such steady temperatures, you won’t notice much difference month to month. What changes more is the rainfall, with July and August often seeing heavy afternoon showers.
Even after rain, the heat doesn’t really drop, so you’ll want to plan for warm conditions no matter what.
Record Highs and Lows
Bangkok sometimes hits higher peaks in summer. Record highs can reach 37–38 °C (99–100 °F), especially in June and July. These extremes don’t happen every day, but they’re possible during hot spells.
On the cooler side, record lows rarely dip below 24 °C (75 °F) in summer. So, you won’t get a real cool night, even during storms.
The small gap between highs and lows shows how stable the climate is. If you’re sensitive to heat, be ready for little relief after sunset, since the city’s tropical air holds onto warmth all night.
Precipitation Patterns and Rainfall
Rain in Bangkok follows a clear seasonal rhythm. You’ll see heavy downpours during the monsoon months, while the dry season brings barely any precipitation.
This shift changes both the amount of rain and how many wet days you’ll run into.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Bangkok gets about 1,600–1,700 mm of rain each year, but it doesn’t fall evenly. The wettest months are May through October, with September peaking at around 330 mm.
During the dry season, December to February barely sees any rain. December averages just 10–15 mm, making it the driest month.
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| May | ~190 mm |
| June | ~160 mm |
| July | ~180 mm |
| August | ~220 mm |
| September | 330 mm |
| October | ~230 mm |
| December | ~11 mm |
You can really see the sharp contrast between the rainy and dry seasons, which is classic for a tropical monsoon climate.
Frequency of Rainy Days
Rain doesn’t spread out evenly through the year. During peak monsoon, you’ll get rain on 15–20 days each month, often as short, intense storms.
September usually brings the most rainy days, with about 20 days of measurable precipitation. In comparison, December might see only 1 day of rain.
Even in the wettest months, rain often comes in bursts rather than lasting all day, so you can still catch dry spells between showers.
Impact of Monsoon Season
The Southwest Monsoon fuels Bangkok’s rainy season, usually lasting from May through October. Moist air from the Indian Ocean brings frequent storms, leading to heavy rain and high humidity.
Flooding often happens in low-lying areas during peak months, especially September and October. Streets can flood quickly after heavy downpours, which might slow down travel.
Even with all the rain, daytime highs stick around 32–34°C. The heat and humidity can feel uncomfortable, but the rain does help cool the city after long, hot afternoons.
Travelers sometimes find the monsoon season brings out a greener side of Bangkok, though you’ll need to stay flexible with your plans.
Humidity Levels in Bangkok’s Summer
Humidity in Bangkok jumps up during the summer months, making the city feel even hotter. You’ll notice the air feels heavy, and that really affects how you experience the heat.
Average Humidity by Month
From March to June, humidity stays high in Bangkok and climbs as the rainy season approaches. In March, it averages around 68%, which is lower than later months.
By April, humidity increases to about 73%, and the mix of heat and moisture makes this one of the stickiest times of year.
May and June bring even higher numbers. In May, relative humidity often reaches 80%, and in June it can go up to 85%. These months also get frequent rain, which keeps the air damp and makes it hard to find relief from the heat.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Month | Average Humidity |
|---|---|
| March | ~68% |
| April | ~73% |
| May | ~80% |
| June | ~85% |
No wonder summer in Bangkok feels way more humid compared to the cooler months.
Effects of Humidity on Comfort
High humidity changes how your body cools off. When the air is moist, sweat doesn’t evaporate well, so you feel hotter than the thermometer says.
For example, a 34°C day in April might feel several degrees warmer, just because of the humidity.
Indoor spaces without air conditioning feel sticky and uncomfortable. Even light activity can make you sweat a lot.
Locals usually wear breathable clothes and do outdoor tasks early in the morning or later in the evening.
If you’re visiting, plan for the impact on daily comfort. Carry water, take breaks in the shade, and use air-conditioned transport to make the weather more manageable.
Wind Conditions and Weather Dynamics
Bangkok’s summer weather stays hot and humid, but wind doesn’t play a big role compared to rain and temperature. Air movement is usually light, creating calm conditions with only occasional breezes that change a bit with the season.
Average Wind Speeds
Wind in Bangkok stays weak most of the year. During summer, you’ll usually feel light air at about 1 to 2 meters per second (around 2–4 mph).
That’s gentle enough that smoke rises almost straight, and tree leaves barely move.
Some days bring breezes up to 3–4 m/s, but they’re not strong enough to affect outdoor plans.
For travelers, you rarely need to worry about wind. Instead, you’ll probably notice the stillness, which can make the heat feel even more intense since there’s little natural cooling.
Here’s a quick look at average wind speeds:
| Month | Avg. Wind Speed | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Feb–Apr | ~2 m/s | Slightly stronger breezes |
| May–Sep | ~1 m/s | Mostly calm air |
| Oct–Dec | ~1 m/s | Light and steady |
These light winds make for a predictable environment, with little disruption to daily life.
Seasonal Wind Patterns
Seasonal shifts bring small changes in air movement. From February to April, winds pick up a bit, offering a brief break from the heat.
By May, the air slows down again, and through the rainy season, you’ll experience mostly calm conditions.
During summer, cloud cover and humidity dominate. The lack of steady breezes makes the air feel heavy, especially in the afternoons.
Short gusts sometimes show up during thunderstorms, but they fade quickly once the rain stops.
Bangkok’s inland location shields it from strong monsoon winds that hit the coast. Unlike coastal Thailand, the city just doesn’t get those forceful currents from the Gulf of Thailand.
So, summer wind patterns here stay mild, with little variation day to day.
Additional Weather Factors and Travel Considerations
When you plan for summer in Bangkok, you need to think about more than just heat and rain. Sunshine patterns, your timing, and how you deal with daily conditions all play a role in your comfort and experience.
Sunshine Hours and Cloud Cover
In summer, Bangkok gets fewer hours of direct sunshine than it does during the dry months. From June to September, you’ll probably see about 5 to 6 hours of sunlight each day. The rest of the time? The sky’s mostly cloudy, thanks to those frequent monsoon showers and all that humid air hanging around.
Cloudy weather cuts down on sun exposure, but it also locks in heat. The air ends up feeling warmer and honestly, kind of heavy. Even if the sun doesn’t come out much, you’ll still deal with high humidity and not much cooling off at night.
If you’re thinking about outdoor activities, mornings usually give you the best shot at clear skies. Rain usually shows up in the afternoon or evening, and it tends to come down hard and fast. If you plan your sightseeing or travel for earlier in the day, you’ll probably dodge most of the weather hassles.
Best Time to Visit During Summer
Thinking about visiting Bangkok in the summer? June to early July usually means a bit less rain than August or September. It’ll still be hot and sticky, but you won’t get hit by storms as often as you would during peak monsoon.
By September, the rain really picks up, often dumping more than 300 mm in just one month. Some neighborhoods, especially near rivers or in low spots, can flood. You might run into more travel delays around this time.
If you want to avoid too many weather headaches, try late May or early June. It’s still hot, but the rain feels a little more manageable, and you won’t have to deal with as many tourists as you would during the cooler months.
Tips for Coping With the Weather
If you’re dealing with Bangkok’s summer, managing the heat and humidity really matters. I always reach for lightweight, breathable clothes, and honestly, tossing a compact umbrella or rain jacket into your bag just makes sense—those sudden showers can catch you off guard.
Keep sipping water throughout the day. I like using a reusable water bottle because convenience stores are everywhere, and you can grab cheap refills almost anytime.
Try not to walk outside for too long in the afternoon. That’s when the heat and humidity really hit you the hardest.
For sightseeing, I recommend sticking to air-conditioned transport like the BTS Skytrain, MRT subway, or a taxi.
Indoor spots—shopping centers, museums, that sort of thing—give you a break from the heat. If you plan your rest stops indoors, you’ll find it easier to keep your energy up while exploring.