Maggie

Planning a trip to BKK and would like to know exactly when low season starts and finishes.<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR><BR>Maggie

Nancy

I assume you are interested in what constitutes the low season either because it may be cheaper, or because you want to avoid the low season as the weather is not as optimal. However, there is not really much of a low season in Bangkok. November to February is consider the &quot;cool&quot; weather season, but that is relative; as it is always at least 80 degrees and always humid. You might find it more crowded in December and August, as this is a popular vacation time for Americans and Europeans. The weather is hot and humid all the time, a little bit hotter in April and May so prices may drop at that time. The rainy season is late June - October, but you can be in a downpour at any time of year really. If avoiding the hottest hot and most rain is your issue, you should run a search for weather and climate to get average temps and rainfall during various months of the year in Bangkok.<BR><BR>I have been in Bangkok in virtually every month of the year (long term business project) and did not notice any real appreciable difference in temp or humidity.<BR><BR>All that being said, Bangkok and south east Asia generally are a good value at this point, even in any high season, as travel by Americans and Europeans dropped significantly after Sept 11 and is still recovering -- and the threat of was is not helping that recovery.<BR><BR>Also you might want to consider travelling during festival times in Thailand, like Song Krat or Chinese New Year, when there are activities centered around that festival. The King's birthday (Dec 5) is a big deal and it can be fun to be there at that time. New Year's Eve is also a fun time to be in Thailand generally, fireworks on the beach, etc. Others on this site have posted New Year's activities in Bangkok, run a search.<BR>

Craigy

Previous poster has said it all. The season from May to October is often termed the low season but year after year the difference seems to get less. Because Thailand is looked upon as a 'hot/sunshine' destination for those in Europe and North Asia in their winter time it is also popular duing July-September as the traditional low season in the resort areas brings lower rates and not so busy, this is a time when a lot of European travellers head to Thailand and is also the Australian and N.Z winter, so many head north for the warmth.<BR>

surfergrrl

Hi Maggie,<BR>Previous posters are bang on about seasons in BKK - however, I've heard that since the Bali bombing, many Australians are opting for Thailand's beaches over Bali and other Indonesian destinations - so it might actually be busier. Can't really tell for sure though, unless you can find some reliable stats. I'll know in a week when I arrive!

Chaille

I was told that drops in number of toursist were from Europe and North America who worried ( without need as we have now seen )about those foreign advisories , tourists from Japan, China and Australia were well up on previous years. Hotels were full in Phuket over Christmas and New Year as usual.