The best month to visit Thailand is November to February. During these months, the weather remain very pleasant with less humidity. This time is ideal for sightseeing, beaches, and festivals.
Thailand is the top tourist destination when it comes to the best holiday destination because it has everything right from the historical temples, golden beaches to the vibrant night market to the street food that has delicious authentic Thai food. You can travel to Thailand throughout the year however there are certain times when it is the most ideal time to travel to the city of smiles.
In this article, we will cover when is the peak time to travel to Thailand, when is the low season and what activities one can do during the different seasons.
Thailand’s Weather by Season
| Month | High / Low (°C) | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32° / 22° | Sunny / Cool |
| Feb | 33° / 24° | Sunny |
| Mar | 35° / 26° | Sunny / Hot |
| Apr | 36° / 27° | Hot / Humid |
| May | 34° / 26° | Rainy / Humid |
| Jun | 33° / 26° | Rainy / Cloudy |
| July | 33° / 25° | Rainy / Cloudy |
| Aug | 32° / 25° | Rainy / Cloudy |
| Sep | 32° / 25° | Rainy |
| Oct | 32° / 24° | Cloudy / Light Rain |
| Nov | 31° / 23° | Sunny / Pleasant |
| Dec | 30° / 22° | Sunny / Cool |
The Cool & Dry Season (High Season: November to February)
The cold and dry season lasts from November – February with a temperature of about 20 – 30°C. During this season the climate is usually pleasant with low humidity and clear skies. You will find minimal rainfall during this season. Activities that one can do during this season are beaches, sightseeing, trekking. Also Thailand has major festivals like Loy Krathong during this season which will make your trip even more memorable.
However if you want to travel in this season then you need to book your flight ticket in advance like 60 days prior because it is the peak season when you will find most of the people traveling to Thailand.
The Hot Season (March to May)
The hot season lasts from March to May. Out of the 3 months the hottest month is the month of April. During this month the temperatures are soaring high around 30 – 40°C with occasional thunderstorms during the end of May. It is actually a good time to travel if you do not mind a little bit of sun. Since it is so hot most people avoid traveling during this time. But the rates of almost everything are affordable right from transportation to the accommodation cost.
The only hiccup one can face during this season is that it is burning hot. The pollution level in Northern Thailand is also intense and high which might impact the overall health of the visitors.
The Rainy Season (Green Season/Monsoon: June to October)
The rainy season lasts from June to October with a temperature of around 26°C to 34°C. You will get to witness frequent rain with light rainfall in the morning and heavy rainfall in the late afternoon. What the rain leaves behind is magical, you will see lush green landscapes everywhere and beautiful waterfalls that will take your breath away with its scenic beauty. Prices of most things in Thailand are low because no one wants to travel during this time.
However due to the heavy and prolonged rainfall certain activities will be prohibited like some water activities, hiking and walking for long. Also not all places will be open during the rainy season.
Weather by Region
Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai)
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Pai all fall under the belt of Northern Thailand. The best time to visit Northern Thailand would be from November – February when the climate is cool and pleasant. Summers are from March to May when it is scorching hot and there is severe air pollution. The most unfavourable months to visit Northern Thailand would be from June to October when there is continuous rain all throughout the day with occasional flooding. Most of the places are closed during the rainy season.
Central Thailand (Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi)
Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi all fall under the belt of Central Thailand. The best time to visit central Thailand would be from November to February when the climate is pleasant and you can comfortably explore the places. During the summers that last from March to May it is best to engage in indoor activities as outdoor activities might not be possible due to the scorching heat. While the rainy season that lasts from June to October is the best time to visit if you do not mind the slight rain. As in the rainy season you can travel to Thailand on a very good budget as prices of most of the things are dropped to a comparatively lower fare.
Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe)
Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, Koh lanta and Koh Lipe all fall under the belt of Andaman Coast. The most ideal time to visit the coast would be from November to April when the sea is calm and you can easily hop islands. The most unfavourable months to travel to the coast would be from May to October when there is heavy rain and the seas are wild and driving can be difficult due to the rough weather.
Gulf Coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao)
Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh tao all fall under the belt of the Gulf Coast. The best time to visit the Gulf coast would be from February to September while the worst season to visit the Gulf coast would be from October – January.
Best Time by Activities & Interests
| Activity / Experience | Best Time to Visit | Top Locations / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beach & Island Hopping | Andaman Coast: Nov – Apr Gulf Coast: Feb – Sep | Andaman: Phuket, Krabi, Phi PhiGulf: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao |
| Cultural & City Exploration | Nov – Feb | Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya |
| Trekking & Nature | Nov – Feb | Northern Thailand, Khao Sok National Park |
| Diving & Snorkelling | Andaman Coast: Nov – Apr Gulf of Thailand: All year | Coral-rich areas in both coasts; clear visibility in peak seasons |
| Festivals | Songkran: April Loy Krathong & Yi Peng: November New Year: December | Major celebrations in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and across Thailand |
- For beach and island hopping the best time would be from November – April in the Andaman Coast and February to September for the Gulf coast.
- The best time for Cultural and City exploration is from November – February. Places for cultural exploration are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Ayutthaya.
- The best time for trekking and Nature would be from November – February. Places to explore for trekking would include the Northern Thailand and Khai Sok.
- The best time for diving and snorkelling in the Andaman coast would be from November – April. While in the Gulf of Thailand you can do these activities all throughout the year.
- For certain festivals like Songkran the best time would be the month of April, for Loy Krathong & Yi Peng the best month would be the month of November while for new years the best time is December.
Tips for Traveling in Thailand
- Pack light breathable clothes for summers and rain gears for the rainy season. Do carry proper footwear for both the seasons
- Drink plenty of water during the summers
- Be flexible for change of plans especially during the rainy season
- Book your tickets in advance during the peak season
Conclusion: When’s the Best Time to Visit Thailand?
Like I said earlier you can visit Thailand all throughout the year but there are certain seasons when you can be carefree like the dry season which lasts from November – February. However you need to be extremely careful during the rainy season which lasts from June – October and carry clothes accordingly. It really depends on you which season you would want to visit Thailand.
If you are okay with a little sun then you can travel from March to May and if you are okay with slight rain you can visit during June – October. Thailand is like evergreen throughout the year and you can plan to visit anytime you want. Just plan your vacation to Thailand. You can also check our packages for Thailand tour 2025 to plan your next vacation.
