I'm considering a trip to Bangkok mid-sept. 2007. Fodor's says September is the last month of the rainy season, the cool season, which is supposed to be the nicest, begins in October. I heard from some people that September was awful. What's your experience. Also, what do you recommend as the one absolute must-do place or event to be at in Bangkok and environs that time of year?

Hi

Thailand is never awful My wife and I have been to Thailand twice and both times in September. You can read about the last trip in this trip report http://gardkarlsen.com/thailand2002.htm . When it comes to weather you should check out the weather stats on http://www.weatherbase.com .

I have marked some of the most popular places of Thailand in this Google map: http://gardkarlsen.com/thailand_google_map.htm . Zoom in on Bangkok to see where some of the attractions are located :-)

September is the last "official" month of the rainy season. Some flooding along low lying areas in Bangkok is to be expected. Torist areas are generally fine.
Last year in October floods continued in Bangkok, Ayuthya and other parts of central Thailand. It was dry in Isaan (NE Thailand) where I was but some areas were also flooded (off the beaten path).
In Bangkok and environs do not miss Wat Arun and Wat Po (temples) and the old ruined capital of Ayuthya about an hour up river by train from Bangkok.
PS It is somewhat cooler in the rainy season (as the clouds protect you from the sun), but the real "cooler" season is actually Nov-early Jan when it can get as low as 15 C in the hills and plateaus. Bangkok will not get as cool.
PSS The rainy season is NOT constant rains but heavy showers periodically almost everyday. The large part of the day is not raining but somewhat humid. Just use common sense - stay out of the sun if possible, and rest occasionally. Drink plenty of water. Enjoy yourself.

Thank you so much for the advice!

I would also recommend a walk around the weekend market. It is a great way to see Thai market life, buy some interesting foods from the cart and look for bargains in practically all types of commodities.

I checked out the market website - this is just my kind of place. I can spend an entire day shopping (not necessarily buying).

Lots to see and do in Bangkok as well as many air conditioned shopping centres. But be careful of pick pockets. I had a young man try to pick my pocket when I was last in the weekend market. There seems to be a lot of skilled pick pockets about there now.

There can be rain and typhoons up to late September or even early October.
Rain in nice in the tropics. It usually comes after a couple of very hot muggy days, therefore the rain comes as a relief. Really. Makes one want to walk in the rain the smell the smell.
Typhoons are more problematic. Can be dangerous. One really shouldn't go out or travel when there is a typhoon.

In my recommendations I will skip the royal parks, the wats, which you can find easily in all the guide book recommendations.
My fave activites in Bkk, besides eating, would be:
- using a maximum of public boats on the Chao Prya river and the klongs. I love the river so much that my fave restaurants are on it or near it (Sala Rim Naam at the Oriental Hotel, Yok Yor and its fish curry (hàw mòk), at Tha Wisut Kasat pier, Hemlock café at the boat stop of Phra Athit). Being around the river cools you instantly, puts you in another life rhythm, gets you around fast and cheaply and gives you a feel of how Bkk once was.
- Visit and shop at the Jim Thomson house and get tons of silk.
- Get a traditional massage from temple-trained experts, next to Wat Mahathat (south east corner of Th. Maharat & Phra Chan)
- go to my fave jazz bar in the world "Brown Sugar" on Sarasin near Soi Lang Suan (facing Lumphini park)

avvocato recommended wat Arun. Great choice. Which reminds me: sumptuous "baby grand" hotel smack in front of Wat Run on the other side of the river on the pier: Arun Residence.
http://www.arunresidence.com/main.htm

do you consider to go down to Phuket
as well? its getting high season after rainy season then but very good time to visit there too.

I understand that everybody else had a great time in Thailand in September. Yet, my experiences weren't so positive. During the rainy season, the humidity is still very high (well over 90%). I guess if you enjoy shopping at malls, then it wouldn't be too bad.

Bangkok is usually a mixture of heat and humidity. There are a surprising number of air-con malls about in what must be the shopping capital of the world and tourists don't get to most of them.

quote:

Originally posted by doggielover:
I guess if you enjoy shopping at malls, then it wouldn't be too bad.

I know there are malls in Bkk but I have never been to one.
I hate malls but love Bkk: restaurants by the Chao Prya, the jazz bars, Chinatown, Chao Prya itself and the smaller canals, the close-to-human feel of its buddhist temples.

Did you try the boat ride from Saphan Taksin pier/Skytrain station? You can get 70 minutes on the river for 18 baht, get on and off when you want. (ferry goes to Nontaburi where there is a street market 5 mins from the terminal).

Vimanmek Royal Palace/Vimanmek Mansion which was the King's original palace?

Ancient City?

Snake Farm?

Chakraphet flower market?

There are two kinds of malls in Bangkok. Ones which sell designer stuff at high prices and ones where normal material is sold at normal or bargain prices. There is an incredible variety of stuff for sale.

Of course, if all you want is temples and such then Bangkok is too commercialised and perhaps somewhere like Burma, India or Vietnam might be better?