Thailand
Bangkok in December
🌤️ Cool seasonHot, a little humid and mostly dry.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · sunglasses & hat
Why December scores 8.4What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort8.5
- ✓Hot (32°C highs / 23°C lows)
- !Humid (dew point 19.7°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~12 mm rain)
- Air quality6.5
- !Elevated (PM2.5 ~28 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline8.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | Jan | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.4 Very good | 8.2 Very good |
| Season | 🌤️ Cool season | 🌤️ Cool season |
| High / low | 32° / 23° | 33° / 23° |
| Rain | 12 mm | 24 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 20° | dew pt 19° |
| PM2.5 | 28 µg/m³ | 32 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Bangkok weather-station normals. Rainfall: Bangkok Metropolis weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's Birthday 5–7 Dec · 3 days off in a row
- New Year 31 Dec – 3 Jan · 4 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Constitution Day (10 Dec)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore BangkokEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Thailand's capital on the Chao Phraya River: royal temples, canal neighbourhoods, night markets and some of the world's best street food.
No major events on our calendar for December.
Coming up later
Chinese New Year in YaowaratDate varies6 February 2027 (lunar new year; the date moves each year)
Lion and dragon dances, red lanterns and temple fairs along Yaowarat.
Why go: Very atmospheric but extremely crowded; go early evening.
Where: Yaowarat Road and Chinese shrines in Chinatown
Songkran (Thai New Year)Every year13–15 April every year
Thai New Year: temple merit-making in the morning, then the city-wide water fight.
Why go: Huge fun but you will get soaked — waterproof your phone. Many Bangkokians leave town, so traffic is light.
Where: Silom Road, Khao San Road, and malls city-wide
Bangkok PrideDate variesUsually early June
One of Asia's largest Pride parades, held since 2022.
Why go: Big, welcoming street event; check the organiser's announcement for the route.
Where: Rama I Road / Siam area parade route
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
The former royal residence and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
💡 Strict dress code (covered shoulders and knees). Go at 8:30 opening; ignore anyone outside saying it's closed.
Wat Pho
Home of the 46 m Reclining Buddha and Thailand's traditional massage school.
💡 A 10-minute walk south of the Grand Palace; massages inside the temple are reasonably priced.
Wat Arun
Riverside 'Temple of Dawn' covered in porcelain mosaics.
💡 Cross by the 5-baht ferry from Tha Tien pier; best light late afternoon.
Yaowarat (Chinatown)
Neon-lit main road that becomes a street-food strip after dark.
💡 Arrive after 6 pm; MRT Wat Mangkon station is right there.
Chao Phraya Express Boat
Commuter boats that double as the cheapest river tour in town.
💡 Orange-flag boats run a flat fare along the main tourist piers.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
One of Asia's largest markets — 10,000+ stalls of clothes, crafts, plants and food.
💡 Weekends only; go before 11 am to beat the heat.
Jim Thompson House
Teak houses and art collection of the American who revived Thai silk.
💡 Guided tours only; near BTS National Stadium.
Bang Krachaogreat in Dec
The 'green lung' across the river — mangroves and quiet cycling paths.
💡 Rent a bicycle near Bang Na Nok pier; a calm half-day escape.
Boat noodles (kuay teow reua)
Small, intense bowls of beef or pork noodle soup with a rich spiced broth.
💡 Victory Monument boat-noodle alley
Pad Thai
Stir-fried rice noodles with tamarind, egg and peanuts.
💡 Thip Samai, Maha Chai Road
Khao man gai
Poached chicken over rice cooked in chicken stock, with ginger-soy sauce.
💡 Pratunam area stalls
Tom yum goong
Hot-and-sour prawn soup with lemongrass and lime leaf.
💡 Riverside restaurants and Yaowarat
Moo ping
Grilled marinated pork skewers with sticky rice — the classic Bangkok breakfast.
💡 Street carts, mornings
Mango sticky rice
Sweet coconut sticky rice with ripe mango; best in mango season (Mar–Jun).
💡 Mae Varee, Thong Lo
Thai silk
Hand-woven silk scarves and fabric.
💡 Jim Thompson shops
Herbal inhalers (ya dom) & balms
Menthol/herb inhalers and Thai herbal balms — light and cheap.
💡 Any 7-Eleven or pharmacy
Benjarong porcelain
Five-colour enamelled porcelain, once made for the royal court.
💡 Chatuchak, River City
Naraya bags
Quilted cotton bags and pouches from a Bangkok brand.
💡 Naraya stores, Central malls
Dried mango & Thai tea mix
Easy edible gifts that travel well.
💡 Supermarkets, Chatuchak