Now, October arrives with a drizzle that can’t quite make up its mind. A little rain here, a grey morning there, but we’d still call it a promising start. This is the season everyone waits for, when Bangkok trades its damp heat for a whisper of coolness, and you can finally unearth that jumper that’s been gathering dust for months. Last year, we woke to mornings of 16C, which felt almost otherworldly for a city that treats humidity as a birthright.
According to the Meteorological Department, winter will take its time this year, beginning towards the end of October and hanging around until late February 2026 a fortnight later than usual. The cold won’t bite quite as sharply either. Bangkok is forecast to see an average minimum of 21C, up slightly from last year’s 20.7C. Hardly freezing, but enough to convince us that the seasons still exist.
And with the cooler air comes the urge to actually leave the house. Luckily, there are a bunch of outdoor activities we’ve rounded up, including art exhibitions and the best things to do in Bangkok across the city in October. Chilling by the river with Skyline Film might be a good idea too; they’ve got a line-up of classics that culminate in a Halloween favourite. The return of breezier evenings makes the city’s open-air spots feel almost cinematic – markets lose their stickiness, cafe patios regain their charm, and long walks through the old town start to sound less like a punishment.
Head further south, though, and the weather tells another story. The upper parts of the region may catch the occasional chill, but most of the South will continue to see heavy, persistent rain, especially along the eastern coast in November and December. Flood warnings are already being sounded – the annual reminder that nature, not the calendar, decides when winter starts.
Still, October feels like a turning point. The heat loosens its grip, evenings stretch out, and for a few short weeks, Bangkok remembers how to slow down – even if it’s only long enough for us to pull on that long-forgotten jumper and pretend it’s winter.