Bangkok
Thailand's capital puts royal palaces, riverside temples and canal boats within reach of its street food stalls.
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Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, is the capital and largest city of Thailand. It sits on the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and is the country's economic, political and cultural center. Most international visitors enter Thailand through the city, so many trips start here before heading elsewhere.
The historic core on Rattanakosin Island holds the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, home of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Wat Pho is another major temple, and Wat Arun stands on the Thonburi side of the river. Yaowarat, the Chinatown district, is known for its shops and street food stalls, and river boats reach many of the riverside sights. The city had about 10 million people in 2024, and some streets are congested, so allow extra time. The cool, drier season from November to February is the best time to visit for milder weather. Plan at least a few days for the main sights, and more if food and shopping are the main draw.
Bangkok in five
- Take the Airport Rail LinkIt runs from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai, where it meets the BTS.
- Dress for the Grand PalaceLong trousers or skirts and covered shoulders. They check at the gate.
- Ride the riverThe Chao Phraya Express boat links Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the old town with the BTS at Saphan Taksin.
- Use Grab or the meterGrab fixes the fare. Street taxis are fine if the driver turns on the meter.
- Eat in Yaowarat after darkChinatown's food street comes alive from about 6pm.
Things to do in Bangkok
See all attractions in Bangkok
Need to know
- Airports
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK); Don Mueang (DMK) for many budget airlines
- Getting around
- BTS, MRT, river boats and Grab
- Best base
- Silom or Sukhumvit near a BTS stop; the riverside for the old town
- Emergency
- 1155 tourist police, 1669 ambulance
- Time needed
- 3–4 days; add Ayutthaya as a day trip
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Dry, cooler nightsJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler nights
- FebruaryClear6 rainy daysHigh33°Low25°Dry, warming upFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warming up
- MarchClear8 rainy daysHigh34°Low27°HotMarchClear
Good
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh35°Low28°Hottest, SongkranAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest, Songkran
- MayRain21 rainy daysHigh34°Low28°Rains beginMayRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 199 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains begin
- JuneRain23 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°ShowersJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 148 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°RainyJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 205 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°RainyAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 194 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- SeptemberRain27 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Wettest, floodsSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 326 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest, floods
- OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Rains easeOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 283 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Dry, Loy KrathongNovemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, Loy Krathong
- DecemberPartly cloudy4 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Dry, busyDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
Average daily high and low in Bangkok, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Bangkok
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 33°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 84%
Bangkok
03:07 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today34°26°84%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Wed32°26°94%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Thu32°25°86%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Fri32°25°80%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Sat30°24°75%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Sun31°25°94%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Mon32°24°39%Monday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 39%.
Updated 11:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
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Day trips by train
Day trips from Bangkok, the full guide- Ayutthayaabout 1.5 to 2 hours by train or minivanThe ruined royal capital, best covered by bike or tuk-tuk.Read the guide
- Kanchanaburiabout 2 to 3 hours by train or roadThe River Kwai bridge and waterfalls, better with a night.Read the guide
- Pattayaabout 2 hours by bus or carA beach city east of Bangkok, reached by bus from the Eastern terminal.Read the guide
Before you go to Bangkok
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Rules for Bangkok, checked
- Many nationalities enter Thailand visa-free for short stays. Check your entry rules and the Digital Arrival Card with the Immigration Bureau before you fly.Source
- Criticising the monarchy is a crime under Thailand's lèse-majesté law, and it applies to visitors as well as Thai citizens.
- Dial 191 for police or 199 for fire.
- Car taxis must run on the meter. Agree the fare for a tuk-tuk before you get in, since tuk-tuk fares are usually negotiated.
Plan around Bangkok
Entry, seasons, coasts and money
Read the guideBangkok to AyutthayaTrain, minivan, boat or tour
Read the guideAyutthayaThe ruined capital north of the city
Read the guideKanchanaburiThe River Kwai and waterfalls
Read the guideBangkok to PattayaBus, taxi, train and airport transfers
Read the guideThailand entry rulesVisa-free stay and the TDAC
Read the guideBangkok FAQ
How many days do you need in Bangkok?
Three days covers the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, a river boat day, Chinatown and one market. Add a fourth for Ayutthaya or a second museum day.
Where should I stay in Bangkok for the first time?
Sukhumvit or Silom, near a BTS or MRT station. Stay in the old city only if temples matter most and you are happy with taxis and boats for everything else.
When is the best time to visit Bangkok?
November to February is the driest and least hot. March to May is very hot, and May to October is rainy, with the heaviest rain in September and October.
Are tuk-tuks and taxis a scam in Bangkok?
Not always, but drivers who offer a cheap city tour often add shop stops. Use Grab or a metered taxi, and agree the price before you get into a tuk-tuk.
Should I use Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang airport?
Suvarnabhumi (BKK) has the Airport Rail Link into the city. Don Mueang (DMK) serves many budget flights and connects by airport bus, the Red Line train and taxi.