When to go

While Bangkok remains relatively dry until around May, temperatures topping 30°C from March-May can prove debilitating for visitors hailing from cooler climates. Then comes the rain—the southwest monsoon arrives between May and July and lasts into November. The city receives most precipitation between August-September, while early October generally spells floods. If there's one time to avoid visiting, this is it—in 2011, the monsoon season effectively shut down Bangkok, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded and more than 800 people dead. Sidestep monsoon season for a trouble-free trip. An umbrella is the best defence against Bangkok's rain, as the humidity can make raincoats uncomfortably sweaty.

It may be wet in Bangkok during May-October, but it isn't actually any cooler. Smack bang in the centre of the Mae Nam Chao Phraya delta, Bangkok is hot and humid year-round. The weather is a fickle beast, but generally the best time to visit is between November-March, a dry period cooled by fresh breezes generated by the northeast monsoon that bypasses the city.