Bangkok's Five Tropical Rituals Replace the Four Seasons for Expats
In Bangkok, where seasonal change is minimal, a Monocle writer identifies five rituals—fruit, festivals, footwear, flags, and birds—that mark the passage of time. The arrival of the autumn issue of Konfekt, Monocle's sister publication, signals autumn in Europe, but in Thailand, seasonal cues differ. Fruit sellers announce mango and durian seasons, with marian plums (mayongchid) in March indicating Thai summer and Songkran. Festivals like Loy Krathong in November and Songkran in April provide rhythmic milestones. Footwear shifts to flip-flops and rubber shoes during the rainy season, while leather returns in the dry season. Flags and bunting outside government buildings change colors for royal birthdays; the king's Monday birth is marked by yellow. The Asian Koel's mating calls replace alarm clocks as gecko mating season ends. These rituals help expats adapt to a climate without traditional seasons.
Key facts
- Bangkok lacks four distinct seasons, making transitional months like September and October odd for expats.
- The autumn issue of Konfekt, Monocle's sister publication, arrives in Bangkok, signaling autumn in Europe.
- Fruit sellers' trucks indicate seasons: mango season, durian season, and marian plums (mayongchid) in March signal Thai summer and Songkran.
- Loy Krathong in November is a favorite festival, involving floating banana-tree vessels with candles.
- During the rainy season, Thais wear flip-flops and rubber shoes with holes for drainage; leather returns in the dry season.
- Flags and bunting outside government buildings change colors for royal birthdays; the king's Monday birth is marked by yellow.
- The Asian Koel's mating calls serve as a natural alarm clock as gecko mating season ends.
- Christmas in Thailand is celebrated as a shopping event, with decorations left up year-round in some places.
Entities
Artists
- Sophie Grove
Institutions
- Monocle
- Konfekt
Locations
- Bangkok
- Thailand
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Wales
- United Kingdom
- Europe
- Benjakitti Park
Sources
- Monocle —