Geography & Climate

Bangkok, capital city of Thailand, lies close to the mouth of the Chao Phraya River at the center of a fertile alluvial plain. With an area of 1,565.2 sq km, Bangkok ranks 68th in size out of the country's 76 provinces, but has the greatest population and population density of any province. It is surrounded by Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan to the south, Nakhon Pathom to the west, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Nayok to the north, and Chachoengsao to the east. Bangkok also has a 4.4 km stretch of coastline. Parts of the surrounding provinces have been swallowed up by Bangkok's sprawling metropolitan area.

Formerly known as 'Venice of the East', Bangkok is criss-crossed by a network of natural and man-made canals called 'klongs' all of which link to the Chao Phraya. The canals were the only means of transport in former times. Today, they help drain the pancake-flat city during the rainy season.

Bangkok is subject to a tropical monsoon climate with three distinct seasons. The cool season, generally considered the best time to visit, lasts from November to February and is characterized by cooler temperatures, low humidity, clear skies and very little rainfall. Day-time temperatures are far from cool, around 28^° C, but evenings and early mornings may feel chilly. The highest temperatures, as much as 40^° C, are recorded during the hot season from March to mid June. April, at the time of the Songkran water festival, is the hottest month of the year.

The rains begin in mid June and continue through to October. Some areas of Bangkok and the surrounding provinces are prone to flooding at this time. The heaviest rains in Bangkok are usually in August and September. In 1997, annual rainfall was 1,064 mm with a mean temperature of 29.4^° C.

Tip: If you visit Bangkok in the rains, there's a good chance you'll encounter floods. Most Bangkokians wear rubber sandals and carry an umbrella. Strip down rather than dress up. Rain coats offer scant protection in a heavy deluge and are too uncomfortable in the heat.

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