When is the best time to go to Thailand?

Throughout the year, the Siamese temperatures range, on average, between 26 and 34° C during the day. The climate in this country is subtropical. Thus, the weather in Thailand is largely influenced by the monsoon phenomenon. This generates significant disparities in terms of heat and rainfall in the northern, central and southern parts of Thailand.

Therefore, when should one visit Thailand? Overall, if one decides to visit between the months of December and March, bad weather won't generally be an issue anywhere. However, if you're hoping for a seaside sunny holiday in the summer (months of July-August), focus on the Gulf Islands rather than Phuket.

So, when is the best time to go to Thailand? Here's some more information to help you in your decision:

  • In Thailand, the weather is good everywhere in February and March
  • The best months to go to Bangkok are January, February, March, November and December
  • On average, the warmest months in Bangkok are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and November
  • October is the wettest month in this city
  • The cities with the best climate are Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Khon Kaen, Amphawa, Burinam, Doi Inthanon, Phanom Rung, Cha-am, Chawang and Chumphon, with good weather at least 9 months a year
  • The sea temperature is suitable for swimming all year round in Bangkok



Where and when to go based on the weather?

Central Thailand
Bangkok, Hua Hin, Kanchanaburi...

January and December
85°F to 94°F°C
0 to 2 days
81°F to 85°F
February, March, June, July, August and November
86°F to 101°F°C
0 to 15 days
83°F to 86°F
April, May, September and October
86°F to 103°F°C
2 to 19 days
85°F to 88°F

East of Thailand
Pattaya, Koh Chang, Chanthaburi...

January and December
86°F to 94°F°C
0 to 5 days
81°F to 85°F
February, March, April and November
86°F to 99°F°C
1 to 19 days
83°F to 86°F
May, July and October
85°F to 97°F°C
9 to 24 days
86°F to 88°F
June, August and September
85°F to 94°F°C
12 to 24 days
85°F to 86°F

Northeastern Thailand (Isan)
Ubon Ratchathani (Isan), Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima...

January, February, November and December
79°F to 97°F°C
0 to 5 days
March, April and October
85°F to 101°F°C
2 to 14 days
May, June, July and September
88°F to 99°F°C
9 to 26 days
August
88°F to 90°F°C
13 to 27 days

Northern thailand
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai...

January, February and December
79°F to 99°F°C
0 to 3 days
March, April, October and November
85°F to 103°F°C
0 to 19 days
May, June and September
85°F to 101°F°C
5 to 26 days
July and August
83°F to 92°F°C
11 to 27 days

Phuket
Phuket town, Patong, Rawai...

January, February and March
85°F to 88°F°C
4 to 11 days
85°F to 86°F
April, June, July, August, September, October, November and December
85°F to 88°F°C
13 to 22 days
85°F to 88°F
May
86°F to 88°F°C
21 to 22 days
88°F

Southern Thailand
Ko Samui, Krabi - Ao Nang, Koh Phangan...

January, February and March
83°F to 95°F°C
2 to 16 days
83°F to 86°F
April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December
85°F to 95°F°C
5 to 24 days
85°F to 88°F

Best time to travel to Thailand by cities

Chargement en cours
Central Thailand Central Thailand East of Thailand East of Thailand Northeastern Thailand (Isan) Northeastern Thailand (Isan) Northern thailand Northern thailand Phuket Phuket Southern Thailand Southern Thailand

See full list of cities


Climate and Weather in Thailand

The climate in Thailand is tropical and alternates mainly between two seasons: the dry season and the wet season, often called the green season. Their periods vary by region of Thailand and you can feel the difference if you are in the south towards Phuket and Phang Nga, or in the northern side of the peninsula towards Mae Hong Son. Avoid the months of September and October because although typhoons are rare in the Gulf, their occurrence is still a possibility!

Thailand: Bateau traditionnel sur la plage de Railay Beach à Krabi

The Climate in Northern Thailand

The climate in northern Thailand, towards Siem Reap which is the city welcoming Angkor to Cambodia, resembles that of Burma and the town of Loikaw.

Unlike the southern side of the country, there are three well-defined seasons, with a more stable weather forecast. Typically in the north, it will feel colder in the winter and hotter in summer.

The dry season runs from November to May with very high temperatures. This heat can at times become unbearable between the months of March and May. Fortunately, the temperatures become cooler again at night, especially in the mountainous areas. Then follows the cold season from November to February that brings a very fresh breeze and finally, the wet season between the months of May to November, which is shorter than that of in the south.

The Climate in Southern Thailand

There are only two seasons in southern Thailand, around the area of Phuket. However, the seasons are not the same as those on the southwest or southeast sides of Thailand.

In fact, the wet season lasts from April to October in the west and rather from September to December in the east. Regardless of the area in the southern part of the peninsula, there is without a doubt more rain than in the north!

The Climate in the Gulf of the Siamese Islands

In the Gulf Islands like Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, the climate is pleasant throughout the year, with mild and warm temperatures without it being too stuffy. There are three seasons, including:

- The hot season from February to May,

- The end of the rainy season between September and November, with a few timely and large tropical showers,

- The so-called "fresh" season from October to January.

Thus, during the rainy season between the months of May and October, it remains possible to visit the west coast of Thailand. If the rain is falling heavily, it is usually very short and quickly gives way to the sun. The most popular time to visit the west coast of Southern Thailand is from the month of November to the month of April.

The Climate on the East Coast

The east coast of Thailand, especially towards the area of Pattaya, enjoys a mild weather between the months of June and October, with a particularly pleasant microclimate. Throughout this season, the temperatures are high and rainfall is mainly occurs at night.

The Climate in Central Thailand

The climate in central Thailand also gives pride of place to humidity and moisture throughout the year. Between December and March, the temperatures are very high and it is not until evening that the temperature drops significantly.

Rainfall usually begins around the month of May or June and the monsoon season usually extends until the month of October, coupling rainfall with high temperatures.


Temperatures and rainfall in Thailand

On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Thailand and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Bangkok, Phuket town, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.


Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Thailand

Find out when Thailand has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.

Tourist seasons in Thailand

The months with low numbers of tourists are: March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October. The number of visitors to Thailand is high in: January, February, November and December.

  • Very low season in Thailand: May, June and September.
  • Low season in Thailand: March, April, July, August and October.
  • High season in Thailand: January, February and November.
  • Peak season in Thailand: December.

Figure: Visitor index for Thailand month by month


Average price for flights to Thailand

A return flight between Sydney and Bangkok is generally cheaper if you go in march ($ 568 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 414 more for your airline ticket to Bangkok if you go in december.

Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Thailand




Where to go in Thailand?

This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).

Cities jan.feb.mar.apr.mayjun.jul.aug.sep.oct.nov.dec.
Bangkok92°F94°F95°F97°F97°F94°F92°F92°F92°F90°F92°F90°F
Phuket town85°F86°F88°F88°F86°F86°F85°F85°F85°F85°F86°F85°F
Chanthaburi90°F92°F92°F92°F92°F88°F86°F86°F86°F88°F90°F88°F
Chiang Mai86°F95°F101°F103°F99°F92°F90°F90°F92°F90°F88°F86°F
Chiang Rai86°F94°F99°F103°F99°F92°F88°F88°F90°F90°F88°F85°F
Hua Hin85°F88°F90°F92°F92°F90°F88°F88°F88°F86°F86°F85°F
Kanchanaburi92°F99°F101°F103°F101°F95°F92°F92°F92°F90°F88°F88°F
Khao Lak national Park86°F88°F90°F88°F88°F86°F86°F86°F86°F86°F86°F86°F
Khon Kaen88°F94°F97°F99°F97°F94°F90°F90°F90°F88°F88°F86°F
Koh Chang90°F92°F92°F92°F92°F88°F86°F86°F86°F88°F90°F88°F
Koh Lanta86°F86°F86°F88°F88°F86°F86°F86°F85°F86°F86°F86°F
Koh Phangan83°F83°F85°F86°F88°F86°F86°F86°F85°F85°F85°F85°F
Koh Phi Phi85°F86°F86°F88°F88°F86°F86°F86°F85°F85°F85°F85°F
Koh Samui83°F83°F85°F86°F88°F86°F86°F86°F86°F85°F85°F85°F
Koh Tao83°F83°F85°F86°F88°F86°F86°F86°F85°F85°F85°F85°F
Krabi - Ao Nang88°F92°F94°F92°F90°F88°F86°F88°F86°F88°F88°F88°F
Nakhon Ratchasima88°F95°F99°F99°F97°F94°F90°F90°F90°F88°F86°F86°F
Pattaya88°F88°F90°F92°F90°F88°F86°F86°F86°F86°F88°F86°F
Ubon Ratchathani (Isan)88°F95°F97°F97°F95°F92°F90°F88°F88°F88°F88°F86°F
Patong85°F86°F88°F88°F86°F86°F85°F85°F85°F85°F86°F85°F

Legend:

perfect weather

good weather

tolerable weather

bad weather

very bad weather


About Thailand

What can I do in Thailand?

Beaches / swimming

Nature and countryside

Culture and heritage

Sports

Family travel

Crafts / shopping

Gastronomy

Nightlife




Is this weather information for Thailand reliable?

Climate data for Thailand has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Thailand allows us to determine the average for each month in Bangkok, Phuket town, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hua Hin, Kanchanaburi, Khao Lak national Park, and 131 other cities.

So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.

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