Things to Do in Bangkok in November

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Stay in Bangkok in November

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November is when Bangkok's wet season finally breaks. After September peaked at 339mm of rainfall, the rains drop to roughly 108mm across about 12 days, and the showers shift from all-day downpours to shorter afternoon bursts that tend to clear within the hour. Daytime temperatures average 31.2°C (88°F) with nights near 23.6°C (74°F), and humidity eases to about 74%. Next to April's 34°C highs, November feels noticeably cooler, especially before 10:00.

The month's defining moment is Loy Krathong, Thailand's festival of lights and water. On the full moon night of the 12th Thai lunar month, people across Bangkok float small banana-leaf boats on the Chao Phraya River, the ponds of Lumphini Park, and hundreds of smaller canals. Each boat carries a candle, incense sticks, and a flower. Thousands of small flames on dark water. It is one of the most striking evenings in Southeast Asia, and travelers do plan entire trips around it.

November also marks the shift from low to high season. Hotel rates in Sukhumvit and Silom sit about 15-20% below the December-February peak but are climbing from their monsoon-season floors. The Grand Palace sees notably fewer visitors than it will 6 weeks later. If you're coming for Loy Krathong, book accommodation at least 3 weeks ahead, since riverside properties fill first.

Why visit in November

Loy Krathong, one of Thailand's most photogenic festivals, falls exclusively in November and gives the month a cultural anchor that no other time of year offers.
The monsoon's end brings the first comfortable outdoor sightseeing weather since February, with manageable temperatures for full mornings at temple complexes and open-air markets like Chatuchak.
Prices remain below peak-season levels, offering noticeably better value than December through February while the weather has already improved substantially from the wet months.
Tourist crowds are building but haven't peaked, so lines at major sites run shorter and restaurant reservations are easier to secure than in January.

Worth knowing

The monsoon hasn't fully ended. Rain is still likely on more than a third of your days, and afternoon outdoor plans need a backup.
Flash flooding in low-lying neighborhoods like Lat Phrao and along Ramkhamhaeng Road remains possible after heavy downpours, particularly in the first half of the month.
Prices are already climbing from monsoon lows, so budget travelers chasing the deepest discounts are 4 to 6 weeks too late.
Morning haze and overcast skies in early November can reduce the quality of skyline and temple photography before midday.

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 31° / 24°C 108mm rain · 12 rainy days · 74% humidity rains perceptibly ~1.3h/day · 91% of mornings dry

Crowds medium

Pack Cotton or linen layers for Bangkok's sharp contrast between outdoor heat and aggressive air conditioning in BTS stations, malls like CentralWorld and Siam Paragon, and most restaurants. A compact rain jacket beats a full-size umbrella on the narrow, vendor-lined sidewalks. Shoes with real grip matter because the polished tile in Rattanakosin turns slippery after rain. Sunscreen at SPF 30 or higher is non-negotiable since the UV index stays at 8 to 10 through November.

The monsoon's tail end drags through early November, but the rain's character shifts. Showers typically arrive in the late afternoon, lasting 30 to 60 minutes before clearing to partly cloudy skies. Mornings are mostly dry and pleasant for outdoor walking. The sun sits lower in the sky than during the April-May hot season, so the direct heat feels less punishing. Evenings along the river bring a breeze that makes outdoor dining comfortable rather than something to endure. By the final week of the month, stretches of 3 to 4 consecutive dry days start appearing, a preview of December's near-total dryness.

Seasonal caution

Flash flooding in low-lying Bangkok neighborhoods, particularly around Lat Phrao, Rangsit, and parts of Ramkhamhaeng Road, remains possible in early November when heavy rain saturates the city's drainage system. Check local news before heading to outer neighborhoods on days with extended morning cloud cover.
The UV index holds at 8 to 10 despite moderate air temperatures. Sunburn risk is highest between 10:00 and 15:00, when many visitors are walking shade-free temple complexes.

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for Bangkok
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	32	22	12
Feb	33	24	54
Mar	34	26	59
Apr	34	27	88
May	33	26	199
Jun	33	26	163
Jul	31	26	255
Aug	32	25	222
Sep	31	25	339
Oct	31	24	233
Nov	31	24	108
Dec	32	23	14

Holidays and festivals in November

When is Loy Krathong in 2026?

24 November 2026

Loy Krathong is a major cultural celebration in Bangkok. In 2026 it falls on 24 November 2026.

Loy Krathong Festival at White Orchid River Cruise

1.5–2 hr
Easy pace

Is Christmas season celebrated in Bangkok?

27 November to 26 December 2026

Christmas season is an imported celebration in Bangkok rather than a local tradition, and the city marks it visibly. Our catalog lists 1 bookable Christmas season activity around the date.

A Bangkok Christmas Walk: Private Tour with Coconut Pancakes

2 hr
Free cancellation
Private tour
Easy pace

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Headline events

Nationwide Free

Loy Krathong

Full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month. The date shifts annually, typically falling somewhere between early and late November.

Thailand's annual festival of water and light, when residents float small handcrafted banana-leaf offerings on rivers, canals, and ponds to honor the water goddess Phra Mae Khongkha and release the previous year's misfortunes. The tradition likely traces back to the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 13th century. In Bangkok, celebrations fill the riverfront, temple grounds, and public parks with candlelit floats, live music, and evening gatherings that typically run from about 18:00 until midnight.

#LoyKrathong

Best things to do in November

Float a krathong on Loy Krathong night

cultural

Buy or make a banana-leaf float from a street vendor (30 to 80 THB depending on size and decoration), light the candle and incense, make a wish, and set it on the water at one of the city's public celebration points along the river or at temple ponds.

Loy Krathong falls exclusively in November, on the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month. There is no other time of year to experience it.

Booking tipNo booking needed for public celebrations. Arrive by 18:00 to claim a good position near the water.

Wat Saket Temple Fair at the Golden Mount

cultural

The grounds around the Golden Mount in Rattanakosin fill with food stalls, carnival games, and vendors selling traditional crafts. In the evenings, a candlelit procession winds up the 344 steps to the hilltop chedi. The atmosphere skews more local than tourist-oriented, with Thai families forming the majority of the crowd.

The fair runs for approximately 9 days around the Loy Krathong full moon, making it a November-only event.

Booking tipNo booking required. Weekday evenings draw smaller, more relaxed crowds than weekends.

Sunrise visit to Wat Arun

sightseeing

The temple on the Thonburi side of the river is at its most photogenic at dawn, when morning light catches the central prang. Climb the steep tower for views across the full sweep of Bangkok's skyline. The approach by ferry from the Tha Tien pier takes about 5 minutes.

November's typically dry mornings and the lower sun angle create richer photographic light than the overcast monsoon months or the harsh overhead glare of April. The comfortable pre-10:00 temperatures make the steep climb far less taxing.

Booking tipOpens at 08:00. Arrive by 08:15 to beat the first tour groups.

Early morning at Lumphini Park

outdoor

Bangkok's central green space fills with joggers, tai chi groups, and the park's resident monitor lizards from about 05:30 daily. The lake, shaded running paths, and outdoor gym equipment make it one of the few places in central Bangkok where you can hear birdsong instead of traffic.

November mornings in the low 20s°C are the first comfortable outdoor exercise temperatures since March. The 27°C-plus mornings of the hot season make the same activity a heat-stress risk.

Day trip to Ayutthaya Historical Park

day trip

The UNESCO-listed ruins of Thailand's former capital sit about 80 km north of Bangkok, reachable by train in roughly 90 minutes or by minivan in about an hour. The site spreads across an island formed by 3 rivers, with hundreds of temple and palace ruins to walk.

The October floodwaters that regularly inundate parts of the park have receded by November. The milder air makes walking the exposed, shade-free ruins comfortable for a full day, unlike the dangerous heat of March and April.

Booking tipTake the early-morning train from Bangkok for a full day at the ruins. Rent a bicycle at the Ayutthaya station for about 50 THB to cover the sprawling site.

Evening street food walk in Yaowarat (Chinatown)

food

After dark, stalls line both sides of Yaowarat Road and the branching sois, serving grilled seafood, roast duck, ba mee noodles, and Chinese-Thai desserts. The 1.5 km main strip between the Chinatown Gate and Wat Traimit takes 2 to 3 hours if you eat your way through it.

November's cooler evenings make standing at open-air stalls over charcoal grills and wok flames comfortable. During the monsoon months, evening rain frequently shuts the outdoor setups down entirely.

Booking tipNo booking needed. Stalls open around 17:00 and run until midnight. Weeknights are less crowded.

Rooftop drinks in the Silom-Sathorn corridor

nightlife

Bangkok's concentration of high-rise rooftop bars in Silom and Sathorn offers views across the city skyline from 50-plus stories up. November brings lower humidity and an evening breeze that makes sitting in the open air pleasant rather than sticky.

During the May-through-October monsoon, outdoor rooftop seating is a gamble because rain arrives without warning and the humidity is oppressive. November's drier pattern and lighter air open the season for comfortable outdoor elevated drinking.

Booking tipWeeknights rarely need reservations. For Friday or Saturday, book 1 to 2 days ahead. Most enforce a smart-casual dress code.

What to eat in November

In season: fruit

Som-o (Thai pomelo)
Peak harvest runs October through November from orchards in Nakhon Pathom province, about 60 km west of Bangkok. The segments are drier and sweeter than Western grapefruit. Street vendors across Yaowarat sell pre-peeled bags for 30 to 50 THB.

On menus now

Jim jum
An Isan-style clay-pot hot pot with a lemongrass-heavy broth, glass noodles, egg, and thinly sliced pork. November's cooler evenings make sitting around the charcoal burner on Soi Rambuttri in Banglamphu or in the Ari neighborhood genuinely pleasant. Expect to pay 150 to 250 THB per pot.
Bua loy (glutinous rice balls in coconut cream)
Small rice-flour balls tinted with pandan, taro, and sweet potato, served warm in sweetened coconut cream. This comfort dessert becomes a fixture at Yaowarat dessert carts from November through February, selling for 30 to 40 THB per bowl.

What to drink

Nam gra jiap (roselle juice)
Roselle calyces are harvested in October and November, and this tart, cranberry-red iced drink is at peak freshness during those months. Street vendors sell it in bags with a straw for 15 to 25 THB. The flavor sits somewhere between hibiscus tea and unsweetened cranberry.

Festival food

Khao tom mat
Sticky rice with banana steamed inside a banana-leaf wrapper, the traditional Loy Krathong offering. Vendors set up outside temples during the festival week, selling bundles of 5 for about 20 to 30 THB. The banana leaf imparts a subtle grassy sweetness to the rice.

Regular events in November

Wat Saket Temple FairFree

One of Bangkok's oldest annual temple fairs, held on the grounds surrounding the Golden Mount in the historic district. Food stalls, games, and a candlelit evening procession up the hill.

Approximately 9 days centered around the Loy Krathong full moon

Bangkok Marathon

Annual full and half marathon through central Bangkok, passing through the historic Rattanakosin district and along major boulevards. The event draws several thousand runners from Thailand and abroad.

Mid-November, exact date varies by year

Kathin ceremonies at Bangkok templesFree

The post-Buddhist-Lent period for offering robes and supplies to monks, observed at temples across the city. Visitors can watch the ceremonies at larger temples, which often include processions and extended chanting sessions.

Throughout November, following the end of Buddhist Lent in October

Best places this November

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
temple
Originally established in 1656, the temple's central prang rises roughly 70 meters above the Thonburi riverbank, decorated with thousands of pieces of Chinese porcelain and colored glass. The steep central staircase offers views across the river toward the Grand Palace complex in Rattanakosin.
Thonburi
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
palace and temple
The Grand Palace has served as the official royal residence since King Rama I founded it in 1782, and the adjacent Wat Phra Kaew, completed 3 years later, houses the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most revered Buddhist image. The complex spans dozens of interconnected courtyards, throne halls, and temple buildings. November's moderate heat makes the largely shade-free grounds more comfortable to walk than during the hot season.
Rattanakosin
Chatuchak Weekend Market
market
Thailand's largest market, with more than 8,000 stalls covering roughly 35 acres. Open Saturday and Sunday from early morning through about 18:00. November's temperatures make browsing the open-air sections tolerable for extended periods, unlike the hot season when the heat drives visitors under cover within 30 minutes.
Chatuchak
Bangkok National Museum
museum
Southeast Asia's largest museum, founded in 1874 and housed in a former palace. The collection spans Thai art and artifacts from the Neolithic period through the Rattanakosin era. Full air conditioning makes it a strong afternoon option when November's rains arrive.
Rattanakosin
Sanam Luang
public space
The ceremonial field opposite the Grand Palace, used for royal ceremonies since the late 18th century. In November's cooler evenings, the open ground is comfortable for walking, and the views toward the illuminated palace walls are worth the detour after dark.
Rattanakosin
Khaosan Road
street
The backpacker corridor, built during King Rama V's reign in 1892, fills with hostels, bars, and street food vendors. November marks the start of the backpacker high season, so the road is livelier than during the monsoon months but has not yet reached peak December-January intensity.
Banglamphu
Wat Saket (Golden Mount)
temple
A temple built on a 58-meter artificial hill, offering 360-degree views of central Bangkok from the gold-topped chedi at the summit. The gilded stupa dates to the Rama V era. In November, the annual temple fair fills the surrounding grounds with food, games, and evening candlelight.
Rattanakosin

Your packing checklist

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Compact rain jacketNovember still brings rain on more than a third of days. A packable jacket handles the late-afternoon showers better than an umbrella on Bangkok's narrow, vendor-lined sidewalks. Shop
Cotton or linen clothingBreathable natural fibers handle Bangkok's tropical humidity better than synthetics. Light colors dry faster when you get caught in a shower. Shop
Light cardigan or long-sleeve layerBTS Skytrain stations, shopping malls, and most restaurants run air conditioning at 18 to 20°C. The temperature gap between indoors and outdoors is sharp enough to cause genuine chills. Shop
Shoes with good wet gripThe polished tile sidewalks in Rattanakosin and Yaowarat turn slippery after rain. Flip-flops also fail the Grand Palace dress code, so bring shoes that serve both purposes. Shop
Sunscreen SPF 30+The UV index stays elevated through November despite the moderate temperatures. Reapply after sweating, especially during morning temple visits where shade is limited. Shop
DEET-based mosquito repellentPost-monsoon standing water in Bangkok's drainage canals keeps mosquito populations high through November. Dengue risk is real, particularly in parks and near canal-side areas. Shop
Refillable water bottleDehydration sneaks up when the November breeze masks the heat. Convenience stores on nearly every block sell refills cheaply, far less than tourist-area bottled water. Shop
Waterproof phone pouch or small dry bagProtects electronics during Loy Krathong waterside celebrations and unexpected afternoon downpours. A ziplock bag works as a low-cost alternative. Shop

Insider tips

The krathong vendors near major celebration sites charge 150 to 300 THB per float. Walk 2 or 3 blocks toward any residential neighborhood and you'll find handmade ones, often assembled by families on the spot, for 30 to 50 THB. The simpler banana-leaf versions are also more biodegradable than the bread-base or foam types sold at tourist spots.
November rain tends to fall between 15:00 and 18:00. Schedule your Grand Palace and Wat Arun visits for the morning, then shift to indoor options like the Bangkok National Museum or a Siam-area shopping center for the afternoon window.
For Loy Krathong night, the waterfront at Santichaiprakarn Park in Banglamphu offers a local-feeling celebration without the premium dinner packages that riverside hotels charge. Families float krathongs from the concrete embankment and the atmosphere is warm and unpressured.
The Chao Phraya Express Boat's last run is around 19:00 to 19:30, earlier than most visitors expect. If you're visiting the Thonburi side for an evening Wat Arun view, plan your return by taxi, tuk-tuk, or Grab rather than counting on the boat.

Avoid these mistakes

Assuming the monsoon ends on November 1. The first 2 weeks can still bring meaningful afternoon storms, and low-lying areas around Lat Phrao and Ramkhamhaeng Road flood for hours after heavy rain. Keep an indoor backup plan for the first half of the month.
Booking an expensive Loy Krathong dinner cruise without checking the exact festival date. Loy Krathong follows the Thai lunar calendar and shifts each year, sometimes falling on a weekday, sometimes a weekend. Confirm the date before committing to a multi-thousand THB per-person dinner package.
Scheduling all outdoor sightseeing for the afternoon. The combination of heat and humidity between 12:00 and 15:00 makes prolonged outdoor walking exhausting. Early mornings are dramatically more comfortable for temple visits and market browsing.

Practical tips for November

November sits between the monsoon trough and the high-season rush, which means some boat tour operators along the river still run reduced schedules through mid-month. Confirm departure times before booking. The Grand Palace complex opens 08:30 to 15:30 daily with last entry at 15:00, and the dress code requires covered shoulders, trousers or skirts past the knee, and closed shoes rather than flip-flops. Book Loy Krathong dinner cruises at least 2 weeks out, since popular boats sell out. Tipping at sit-down restaurants is appreciated but not expected, typically 20 to 50 THB or 10% of the bill. The BTS Skytrain and MRT metro run from approximately 06:00 to midnight daily. Grab is more reliable than street-hailed taxis in tourist areas around Rattanakosin and Sukhumvit, since it shows the fare upfront and avoids the meter-refusal games common near popular landmarks. For Ayutthaya or floating-market day trips in early November, rail services may face occasional delays from monsoon-damaged track sections, though these are typically resolved by mid-month.

FAQ

Is November a good time to visit Bangkok?

November is one of the better months overall, ranking roughly 4th out of 12 for Bangkok. The monsoon is ending, temperatures are comfortable in the low 30s°C (upper 80s°F), and Loy Krathong provides a cultural highlight available no other time of year. The tradeoff is that rain hasn't fully stopped, with showers likely on roughly a third of your days. December through February offer drier conditions, but at higher prices and with larger crowds.

What is Loy Krathong and when does it happen in Bangkok?

Loy Krathong is Thailand's festival of lights, where people float small banana-leaf boats carrying candles, incense, and flowers on rivers, canals, and ponds to honor the water goddess and release misfortune. The date falls on the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month, which shifts annually but typically lands somewhere in November. In Bangkok, public celebrations happen along the riverfront and at parks and temple ponds across the city, and they are free to attend.

Does it rain every day in Bangkok in November?

No, but rain is still a regular feature. November sees showers on roughly a third of days, a significant drop from September's peak. The rain typically arrives in the late afternoon and passes fairly quickly. Mornings are usually dry. By the final week of the month, multi-day dry stretches become common as the monsoon fully retreats.

Is Bangkok crowded in November?

Moderately. November sits at the hinge between low and high season. Early November still carries some of the monsoon-season quiet, but by late November, visitor numbers around the Grand Palace, along Khaosan Road, and in the Sukhumvit hotel corridor begin approaching high-season levels. The shift is sharpest in the week around Loy Krathong. It is still substantially less crowded than December or January.

How much should I budget for a week in Bangkok in November?

Budget travelers can manage on about 1,500 to 2,000 THB per day covering a hostel bed, street food, and public transit. Mid-range travelers spending on a 3-star hotel, sit-down meals, and occasional taxis should expect 3,500 to 5,000 THB per day. November prices sit below the December-February peak but above the September-October monsoon floor. Check a currency converter for current exchange rates, since the THB fluctuates.