27 April 2026 GMT+7, The sun is directly overhead in Bangkok. For the first time this year, check the time when outdoor objects will appear "shadowless." NARIT stresses this may not be the hottest day.
On 23 April 2026, the Facebook page of NARIT,the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand,posted that on 27 April, the sun will be directly overhead in Bangkok for the first time this year, but it might not be the hottest day as this depends on various factors.
Between April and May, the sun moves to a position directly overhead in parts of Thailand for the first time this year, starting from the southernmost area at Betong District, Yala Province, on 4 April 2026, and then progressing northward until it reaches Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, on 22 May 2026.
In Bangkok, the sun will be directly overhead for the first time this year on 27 April 2026 at about 12:16 p.m. At that time, outdoor objects will cast shadows directly beneath them, appearing shadowless. Those interested can observe this but should take care when outdoors in the intense heat, as it could affect health.
Although the sun’s energy will be at its peak that day, it may not be the hottest day since other factors like clouds, rain, monsoon influences, and accumulated heat also affect temperature.
The phenomenon of the sun being directly overhead at various locations on Earth occurs because the Earth's axis tilts about 23.5 degrees relative to the perpendicular of its orbital plane around the sun. This causes tropical regions between 23.5 degrees north (Tropic of Cancer) and 23.5 degrees south (Tropic of Capricorn) to receive sunlight perpendicular to the surface at certain times, making the sun appear directly overhead to observers there. The timing varies by location and season throughout the year.
Since Thailand lies in the tropics between latitudes 5 and 20 degrees north, the sun passes directly overhead or is perpendicular to various places in Thailand twice a year—during April-May and July-September. The timing differs by province, so each area experiences the sun overhead at different times.
The next time the sun will be directly overhead in Bangkok is on 16 August 2026 at about 12:22 p.m. Interested individuals can check the timing of this phenomenon for all 77 provinces in Thailand for both occurrences athttps://www.narit.or.th/Sun-Overhead-TH-2026
Information courtesy of the Facebook page of NARIT, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand.