Bangkok’s overhead sun creates a shadowless effect across the capital
At 12.22pm on Sunday (August 16, 2026), people and objects outdoors in Bangkok will appear to have no shadows because their shadows will fall directly beneath them.
- On August 16, 2026, at 12:22 pm, the sun will be positioned directly overhead in Bangkok, causing a "shadowless" effect.
- This phenomenon makes objects appear shadowless because their shadows are cast directly beneath them.
- The event occurs twice a year in Bangkok due to Thailand's tropical location, which places it in the sun's direct path.
- Despite the sun's direct position, this is not necessarily the hottest day of the year due to other weather factors like monsoons and cloud cover.
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Public Organisation), or NARIT, has released key details about the “sun directly overhead in Bangkok” phenomenon, which will occur for the second time this year at 12.22pm on Sunday (August 16, 2026).
People and objects outdoors will appear “shadowless” because their shadows will fall directly beneath them.
Bangkok residents can prepare to observe the apparent disappearance of their shadows during the event.
The phenomenon occurs because Thailand lies in the tropics between latitudes 5 and 20 degrees north.
The sun therefore passes directly overhead at each location twice a year, moving gradually from south to north during April and May and then from north to south during August and September.
In Bangkok, the first occurrence took place at 12.16pm on Monday (April 27, 2026).
The event at 12.22pm on Sunday will be the final one of the year, when observers can see their own shadows fall directly beneath their feet without extending to the left or right.
Many people believe that when the sun is directly overhead, heat radiation reaches its highest level, causing that day to become the “hottest day of the year”.
In fact, the maximum temperature does not depend on the sun’s position alone.
Seasonal conditions, the monsoon, southwest monsoon winds, and cloud cover and rainfall in August are important factors that reduce the intensity of solar radiation.
As a result, the build-up of heat during the second occurrence in the rainy season is clearly lower than during the first in April.
People wishing to find out when the phenomenon will occur in their area can check the official dates and times for all 77 provinces across Thailand throughout 2026 on the NARIT website at narit.or.th.
