Bangkok receives roughly 1,500 mm (about 59 inches) of rain a year, concentrated in a wet season running from May through October driven by the Southwest Monsoon, with the heaviest, most intense downpours typically arriving in September and October. Built on the low, flat delta of the Chao Phraya River, the city has long struggled with drainage, and it continues to slowly sink in parts, which compounds the flooding risk from heavy monsoon rain, especially when it coincides with high tide or increased river flow from further upstream. The catastrophic 2011 floods, which affected large parts of the city and its industrial estates for weeks, remain a stark reminder of how severe a bad monsoon season can get here. Shorter, intense afternoon thunderstorms are also a near-daily feature during the wettest months, capable of flooding streets within the hour. Thailand’s Meteorological Department operates the national weather radar network used to track these systems in real time.
Learn more: Flash Flood Warning Signs on Radar · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in Bangkok right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over Bangkok in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over Bangkok, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the Bangkok rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward Bangkok?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over Thailand are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach Bangkok or pass by.
Is this Bangkok rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.