01Weather
Bangkok weather in January
Afternoons in January average 32.9 °C (91 °F) and nights cool to 24.1 °C (75 °F). Compared with December it is 0.2 °C warmer; February is 1.0 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 35 °C / 95 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 30 °C / 87 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 21 °C / 71 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 27.9 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 37.0 °C / 14.8 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 06:41 | 18:01 | 11.3 h |
| 15 January | 06:45 | 18:09 | 11.4 h |
| 31 January | 06:45 | 18:17 | 11.5 h |
Daylight grows by about 12 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Bangkok).
03Crowds
How busy Bangkok is in January
very busy The main sights are very busy in January. What drives it:
- cool, dry season
- Chinese New Year in late January or February
- peak European arrivals
05Events
What's on in Bangkok in January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese New Year | late January or February, Yaowarat (Chinatown) | festival |
07Packing
What to pack for Bangkok in January
- light, breathable clothing
- sun hat and sunscreen
- refillable water bottle
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- something for heat: 28 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is the best month: dry, sunny and as cool as Bangkok gets, with afternoons around 32 °C and evenings near 22 °C that make rooftop bars and street food comfortable. Chinese New Year often falls late in the month, when Yaowarat is spectacular with lion dances and the Chinatown shops close for several days, and hotels fill with regional visitors. Rates are at their highest.
Rain falls on about two days. Children's Day on the second Saturday opens military bases and Government House to families. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho are busiest between ten and two; early morning is the window. River cruises and the Chao Phraya Express boats are at their most pleasant. Air quality can dip in the dry season with smog episodes, usually in late January and February. For the driest month, see February.
09Compare
Bangkok month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33 °C | 24 °C | – | – | very busy | Mixed |
| February | 34 °C | 25 °C | – | – | very busy | Mixed |
| March | 35 °C | 27 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| April | 36 °C | 28 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| May | 36 °C | 28 °C | 22 | – | moderate | Mixed |
| June | 35 °C | 27 °C | 21 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| July | 34 °C | 26 °C | 22 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| August | 34 °C | 26 °C | 23 | – | moderate | Mixed |
| September | 33 °C | 26 °C | 24 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| October | 33 °C | 26 °C | 22 | – | moderate | Mixed |
| November | 33 °C | 25 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| December | 33 °C | 24 °C | – | – | very busy | Mixed |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit Bangkok.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore in January | 30 °C | 11 |
| Shanghai in January | 10 °C | 11 |
| Beijing in January | 4 °C | 0 |
| Seoul in January | 3 °C | – |
| Kyoto in January | 10 °C | 6 |
| Tokyo in January | 10 °C | 4 |
11FAQ
Bangkok in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Bangkok?
January is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Bangkok. Daytime highs average 33 °C (91 °F), and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are very busy.
What is the weather like in Bangkok in January?
Expect hot days around 33 °C (91 °F) and nights near 24 °C (75 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 35 °C, and one in ten stays below 30 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Bangkok in January?
January in Bangkok, by the 1991–2020 station normals.
What should I wear in Bangkok in January?
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun hat and sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
Is Bangkok crowded in January?
The main sights are very busy in January. Main drivers: cool, dry season; Chinese New Year in late January or February; peak European arrivals.
What time does it get dark in Bangkok in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 18:09 and rises at 06:45, giving 11.4 hours of daylight.