What to do in Bangkok on a rainy day

The fastest fix is the Siam interchange. Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery and MBK sit within a few minutes of each other on the BTS and the elevated skywalk, so you can move between them without stepping into the rain. Food courts, an aquarium, a cinema and a supermarket are all under one roof, which makes this the default for families and first-timers.

If you want something quieter, the art and history options along the river and in the old city hold up well in a downpour. Jim Thompson House is a cluster of teak buildings and a garden a short walk from National Stadium BTS; the National Museum and the riverside art spaces are indoor and cheap. Cinema is the local rainy-day habit: Bangkok multiplexes are large, air-conditioned and inexpensive by US or UK standards.

Most of this list sits on the Sukhumvit line between National Stadium and Asok, or on the Silom line to Saphan Taksin for the river. Siam covers malls and cinemas, National Stadium covers Jim Thompson House and the art centre, Asok covers Terminal 21. ICONSIAM is the exception: it needs the Silom line to Saphan Taksin plus a shuttle boat, so allow extra time in heavy rain.

The old city and riverside museums are also off the rail network, so a taxi or a Grab is the practical option; in heavy rain the same trip can take twice as long, so leave earlier than you think you need to. Coordinates below are approximate city-centre points.

Bangkok rain often comes as a burst rather than a full day, but the length varies and flooding is possible after heavy storms (check). Plan an indoor block for the afternoon and keep outdoor sights for the morning and evening. If you are here in the cool season, rain is rare and this page matters much less.

Carry a light poncho rather than an umbrella if you will be on a motorbike or walking through flooded side streets; 7-Eleven sells both cheaply. Shoes that can get wet beat leather. Keep cash for taxis and small vendors, and expect meters to be refused in a downpour, so agree a price or use a ride-hailing app. The elevated walkways and the BTS stay dry when streets flood (check).

For dry weather, come November to February. This is the cool, dry window and the reason it is peak season: hotel prices are highest and the main sights are busiest, but you will rarely need this page. March to May is hot and hazy, with the first storms arriving late in the period.

The southwest monsoon runs roughly May to October, with September and early October usually the wettest (check). Rain in this period tends to arrive in short, heavy afternoon bursts rather than all-day drizzle, so a wet-season trip still works if you build in an indoor block each afternoon. The Gulf islands (Samui, Phangan, Tao) run on a different pattern, with their wettest months later in the year.