ðđð Bangkok Time Zone: The Complete Guide to Thailand's City of Angels
Current time in Bangkok: 02:18 PM
Bangkok operates on Indochina Time (ICT), which is UTC+7 year-round. Known as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon ("City of Angels") in Thai, Bangkok is Thailand's sprawling capital where ancient temples stand alongside futuristic malls, and street food vendors serve some of the world's best cuisine around the clock.
Thailand does not observe daylight saving time, making Bangkok's time wonderfully consistent. While London and New York shift their clocks twice a year, Bangkok stays steady at UTC+7. This means the time difference between Bangkok and Western cities changes throughout the year â something important to remember when scheduling international calls.
Bangkok has become the world's digital nomad capital, offering affordable living, excellent internet, amazing food, and a vibrant expat community. Whether you're coordinating with Thai business partners, planning a visit to explore ancient temples, or considering remote work from this tropical paradise, understanding Bangkok time is your first step.
⥠Quick Facts: Bangkok Time Zone
Time Zone Details
- âĒ Zone: ICT (UTC+7)
- âĒ Full Name: Indochina Time
- âĒ Daylight Saving: Observed
- âĒ DST Period: Mar â Nov
Location & Region
- âĒ Coordinates: 13.8°N, 100.5°E
- âĒ Region: Asia
Best Overlap Windows:
Need exact conversions? Try our Time Converter or Meeting Planner
ð Explore Bangkok Guides
Business Hours
Shops, banks, and Thai work culture
Best Time to Visit
Weather, monsoon, and Songkran
Remote Work
Working with Thai teams and nomad life
24 Hours in Bangkok
From temples to legendary nightlife
Best Time to Call
Optimal calling windows worldwide
SET Thailand Hours
Thai stock market trading times
Thai Holidays
Songkran, Buddhist days, and festivals
Digital Nomad
The ultimate nomad destination
Time Difference
Bangkok vs London, NYC, Sydney
Travel Planning
Airports, BTS, and getting around
Bangkok Time vs Major Cities
| City | Difference | When it's 12 PM in Bangkok |
|---|---|---|
| ðĶ Singapore | +1 hour | 1:00 PM |
| ð Hong Kong | +1 hour | 1:00 PM |
| ðĢ Tokyo | +2 hours | 2:00 PM |
| ðĶ Sydney | +3 hours | 3:00 PM |
| ðĄ London | -7 hours | 5:00 AM |
| ðïļ Dubai | -3 hours | 9:00 AM |
| ðïļ Mumbai | -1:30 | 10:30 AM |
| ðŊ Seoul | +2 hours | 2:00 PM |
* Times shown use standard time. During DST transitions, differences may vary by 1 hour. See detailed time differences â
ð Understanding Bangkok Time
Indochina Time: UTC+7 All Year
Indochina Time (ICT) covers Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos â countries that share historical and geographical connections. At UTC+7, Bangkok is perfectly positioned between European and Australian business hours, making it a strategic location for regional headquarters.
No DST simplicity: Thailand experimented with daylight saving briefly during WWII but abandoned it. Today's consistent UTC+7 makes international scheduling easier â you only need to track DST changes in other countries, not Thailand's. Bangkok's time remains constant while the rest of the world shifts around it.
Thai Business Culture & SET Market
Bangkok's business culture blends traditional Thai values with modern corporate practices. The "wai" greeting (hands pressed together) is standard, hierarchy is respected, and building relationships (often over meals) precedes business dealings.
SET (Stock Exchange of Thailand) hours:
- Pre-opening: 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM ICT
- Morning session: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM ICT
- Lunch break: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM ICT
- Afternoon session: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM ICT
Note: The extended lunch break is characteristic of Thai business culture and can be useful for international calls during that window.
Bangkok: Digital Nomad Capital
Bangkok consistently ranks as the world's top digital nomad destination. Fast internet, countless coworking spaces, affordable cost of living, incredible food, and a massive international community make it irresistible for remote workers.
Time zone advantage: ICT allows morning work overlap with Australian colleagues and evening overlap with European teams. For US-based clients, Bangkok nomads often work evening hours (which aligns with US mornings) â a trade-off for the lifestyle benefits.
ðĄ Practical Tips for Different Needs
ðĒ For International Business
- âĒ UK overlap: 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM GMT (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM ICT)
- âĒ Australia overlap: Excellent all day
- âĒ US overlap: Very limited â evening work required
- âĒ Build relationships before business discussions
- âĒ Avoid Songkran week (April 13-15) for meetings
âïļ For Travellers
- âĒ From London: 11-hour flight, +7h time change
- âĒ From Sydney: 9-hour flight, -4h adjustment
- âĒ From Tokyo: 6-hour flight, -2h change
- âĒ BKK (Suvarnabhumi): Airport Rail Link to center, 30 min
- âĒ DMK (Don Mueang): Budget airlines, bus to BTS
ðž For Digital Nomads
- âĒ Cost: $1,000-1,500/month comfortable living
- âĒ Internet: Excellent (100+ Mbps common)
- âĒ Coworking: Hubba, The Hive, Spaces everywhere
- âĒ Visa: 30-day visa-free, or new Digital Nomad Visa
- âĒ Best areas: Thonglor, Ekkamai, Silom, Ari
â Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between Bangkok and London?
Bangkok is 7 hours ahead of London during GMT (winter). When it's 12:00 PM in London, it's 7:00 PM in Bangkok. During British Summer Time (late March to late October), the difference reduces to 6 hours. Thailand doesn't observe daylight saving time, so Bangkok stays on UTC+7 year-round while London adjusts.
What time zone is Bangkok in?
Bangkok is in the Indochina Time Zone (ICT), which is UTC+7. This timezone is shared with Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Thailand does not observe daylight saving time, so ICT (UTC+7) applies year-round. Bangkok is sometimes also referred to as being on 'Thailand Standard Time' but ICT is the official designation.
What is the time difference between Bangkok and New York?
Bangkok is 12 hours ahead of New York during Eastern Standard Time (EST/winter). When it's 9:00 AM in New York, it's 9:00 PM the same day in Bangkok. During US daylight saving time (March-November), the difference is 11 hours. This makes real-time collaboration challenging, but Bangkok mornings overlap with NYC late evenings.
What is the best time to call Bangkok from the UK?
The best time to call Bangkok from the UK is 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM GMT, which reaches Bangkok during afternoon business hours (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM ICT). For personal calls, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM GMT catches Bangkok late evening (11:00 PM - 1:00 AM). Avoid calling after 6:00 PM GMT as Bangkok will be past midnight.
What are typical business hours in Bangkok?
Standard Bangkok business hours are 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM ICT, Monday through Friday. Government offices typically operate 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Banks are open 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM (some until 7:00 PM in malls). Shopping malls open 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. Thai businesses often close for lunch between 12:00 and 1:00 PM.
What time does the SET stock exchange open in Bangkok?
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) operates in two trading sessions: Morning session 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM ICT, and Afternoon session 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM ICT. Pre-opening is 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM. The lunch break is longer than most exchanges. For London investors, SET morning session runs 3:00 AM to 5:30 AM GMT (winter).
What is the time difference between Bangkok and Sydney?
Bangkok is 4 hours behind Sydney during Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). When it's 12:00 PM in Sydney, it's 8:00 AM in Bangkok. During Australian Daylight Saving Time (October-April), the difference increases to 4 hours. This makes Bangkok-Sydney collaboration comfortable with good overlap during business hours.
When is Songkran (Thai New Year)?
Songkran, Thai New Year, is celebrated April 13-15 every year. It's Thailand's biggest holiday with massive water fights across the country. Most businesses close for 3-5 days, and many Thais travel to their home provinces. Banks and government offices are closed. If you're planning business or travel, avoid this period or embrace the festivities!
ð Ready to Dive Deeper?
This overview is just the start. Explore our detailed guides on specific topics: