March is the month the heat arrives and the tourists leave. Do it their way, not the tourists'.
Weather#
| Typical | |
|---|---|
| Days | Mid 30s °C, climbing through the month |
| Nights | Warm, high 20s |
| Rain | Rare |
| Humidity | Rising |
February is kinder; April is hotter still. Weather by month.
The hot-season day#
6:30 to 11 Temples, markets, the river, Ayutthaya. 11 to 4 A pool, a mall, a massage, a long lunch, a nap. The whole city does this. 4 to midnight The canal boat, Wat Arun at golden hour, Chinatown, a rooftop, a night market. Bangkok at night is March's best guide.
What's on#
Fewer festivals than the months either side. The art fairs and the start of the mango season (the best mango sticky rice of the year). Chatuchak early on a Saturday before the roof turns it into an oven.
Crowds and prices#
Shoulder season begins: the Grand Palace is noticeably quieter after the first week, and hotels drop from high-season rates. Where to stay, ideally with a pool; Bangkok on a budget.
What to pack#
The lightest clothes you own, two sets a day, temple cover in the bag, a hat, electrolyte sachets from any 7-Eleven. What to wear in Bangkok.
Plan it#
The 3-day itinerary, rearranged for the heat. A Bangkokian knows where the city goes between noon and four; post your dates on Roavi Community and a Local Friend can show you.
Bangkok in March? Do the heat the local way, with a local.
Meet a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
How hot is Bangkok in March?
Highs in the mid-thirties Celsius, sometimes higher in the last week, with warm nights and little rain. The humidity rises through the month. It's the start of the hot season, which peaks in April.Is March a good time to visit Bangkok?
Good, with a plan: early starts, a long midday break in air conditioning or a pool, and the evenings for everything else. In return you get thinner crowds at the temples and lower hotel prices than January or February.Does it rain in Bangkok in March?
Rarely. A short storm late in the month is possible as the season turns, but March is dry. The rainy season doesn't begin until around May.Is early or late March better for Bangkok?
Early. It's a few degrees cooler and the crowds are already thinning. Late March is hotter, and the city starts gearing up for Songkran in mid-April.
