Famous for its shimmering pristine beaches, rich culture, incredible Buddhist temples, and delicious food – welcome to Thailand , also known as the Land of Smiles.
Whether you’re looking to stroll through the bustling cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai or swim in crystal-clear waters below towering limestone karsts in Krabi, the country is full of incredible locations.
But when is the best time to visit Thailand ?
Discover when you can roam the tropical paradise with fewer crowds, what activities you can do each season, and when it’s most affordable to travel to Thailand .
What’s the weather like in Thailand?
Thailand is an incredible country in Southeast Asia known for its rich culture, stunning scenery, and delicious food.
It has a tropical climate and warm weather year-round, making it a popular destination for those looking to escape the colder climates at home.
Though the country is generally hot and humid, the weather can vary depending on the region and time of year you visit.
For example, Pai is much cooler than other destinations because of its higher elevation.
Generally, the weather in Thailand is characterized by three seasons: the wet, the cool, and the hot season.
Hot Season
Instead of dry, Thailand sees a hot season (known as rue-du-ron in Thai), a period during the year when temperatures surge to over 30 degrees.
This season typically runs from March to May, with temperatures averaging 30 – 35 degrees Celcius throughout the country.
April is known as the hottest month in Thailand .
Humidity spikes during this time, making it sometimes feel even hotter.
The high temperatures are most noticeable in the country’s north, with locations such as Chiang Mai being the hottest (up to 37 °C). Chiang Rai is slightly cooler.
In the south and coastal areas, the hot season is less pronounced, with temperatures approaching 33 °C in places such as Phuket.
The sea breezes provide natural air-con, and skies are guaranteed to be clear blue.
Rainy Season
Thailand thanks its lush tropical scenery to the rainy (monsoon) season, known as rue-du-fon, immediately following the heat.
This season typically starts at the end of May and runs till October/November, with the heaviest rainfall in September/October.
Temperatures slightly drop, but the season brings in warm, humid air from the Indian Ocean, leaving humidity levels high.
While it can rain heavily at times, it doesn’t rain the entire day (just a few hours in the afternoon).
The rest of the day is sunny, leaving plenty of room to relax on beautiful beaches and stroll through cities like Bangkok.
Note that the east coast of Thailand , including Koh Samui and Koh Tao, experiences the monsoon season at another time during the year.
This area sees frequent rainfall between October and December, with the heaviest rain during August/September.
This means you can alternate between destinations during different seasons.
Cool Season
After the rain, the temperatures in Thailand drop to a nice 25 – 28 °C across the country.
This period (rue-du-nao) is the cool season and generally the most pleasant time to visit Thailand.
- The cool season in Thailand usually runs from November to February, having lots of fresh air and less humidity.
- The weather conditions change because the northeast monsoon season changes the wind direction, bringing in cool, dry air and less rainfall.
- The Andaman Sea is the calmest during this period, making it a great time to visit beautiful beach locations such as Phuket, Krabi, and the Phi Phi islands.
- The Gulf Coast of Thailand experiences its monsoon season during this period.
Tip: Avoid visiting northern locations such as Chiang Mai between January – March, as they experience the so-called ‘burning season’. During this time, there’s a lot of pollution in the air from fires being burned on neighboring farmland.
High & Low Season
The high season in Thailand runs between December and March, coinciding with the cool season.
During this time, temperatures are much more comfortable, and the landscapes’ become a luscious green, making it the most popular time to visit Thailand.
Apart from crowds, accommodation prices surge, especially over the Christmas holidays.
If you’re planning on traveling to Thailand during this time, make sure to book as early as possible.
Popular destinations fill up quickly, sometimes months in advance.
Apart from crowds, accommodation prices surge, especially over the Christmas holidays.
If you’re planning on traveling to Thailand during this time, make sure to book as early as possible.
Popular destinations fill up quickly, sometimes months in advance.