We firmly believe that any month is a good month to visit Thailand. Temperatures remain warm year-round, and with such a diverse choice of destinations, there’s always somewhere new to discover or a new adventure awaiting. If you’ve never thought about visiting Thailand during the low season, we want to show you what you’re missing.
When is the low season in Thailand?
The low season months for most of Thailand are May to October. This is the green season, and there are distinct advantages to visiting at this time of the year. While it’s true that you may see some rain on your travels, downpours tend to be short, and you’ll also experience plenty of sunshine and blue skies. It’s t-shirt and shorts weather, so pack a small umbrella in your day bag, and you’re good to go. And because different weather patterns affect different coasts, it’s still an excellent time for a beach holiday on Thailand’s Gulf Coast and islands like Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao.
Beat the crowds
When you travel in the low season, you escape the high season crowds. You won’t be jostling through tour groups, and queues are smaller at the main tourist attractions like the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun in Bangkok. Shopping at markets is a more relaxed experience in the low season, and wherever you travel, it’s easier to book last-minute tours and transport.
Bag a bargain
Not only is it easier to book tours and transport in the low season, but it’s also cheaper in the low season. Internal flights and accommodation in Thailand are good value all year round, but even more so in the low season months. Look out for special green season offers on internal flights and take advantage of low season deals when booking directly with hotels.
The annual Amazing Thailand Grand Sale runs from June to August, with international tourists able to enjoy big discounts on a range of products and services as part of this low-season promotion.
Sabai sabai
Thailand is the epitome of ‘sabai sabai’. This quintessential Thai approach to life translates as being relaxed, and it’s a feeling you can enjoy, whatever month you visit. However, it becomes extra relaxed, ‘sabai sabai mak’, during the quieter low season months.
Train no.13 from Bangkok to Chiang Mai approaching The White Bridge, Lamphun
During peak season, it’s not unusual to find tours and hotels fully booked. In the low season, you’ll have more flexibility and choice, which is perfect for spontaneous travel plans or last-minute changes. The green season months are the ideal time to embrace the joys of slow travel in Thailand. With fewer tourists around, interactions with locals can be even more genuine and personal. Village homestays, cooking classes, and temple visits often feel less rushed and more immersive.
With fewer clients to handle, guides, hotel staff, and tour operators also benefit from the added sabai sabai of the low season. This gives them more time to engage with you on a personal level and can enhance the overall quality of service.
Lush landscapes
There is a good reason why the rainy season is also known as the green season. After the long, dry, hot season, the rain showers bring welcome relief. The Thai countryside takes on a new life, rice fields glow emerald green, waterfalls are fuller, and the mountains around northern provinces like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, and Nan are at their most photogenic.
Rainforest areas and national parks thrive during the wet season. Birdwatching, waterfall hikes, and jungle trekking are often at their best, especially in places like Khao Sok or Khao Yai National Park.
Quiet historic sites
The low season months are perfect for exploring Thailand’s historic sites free from the crowds and tour groups.
Take the train from Bangkok and make the short journey north to Ayutthaya, the site of the former capital of Siam and home to Ayutthaya Historical Park. From Ayutthaya, you can continue travelling north by train to Lopburi. The city is famous for its Khmer-era temples, but even more famous for the monkeys who live here. After a day or two in Lopburi, board the train again and head to Phitsanulok, the jumping-off point for the transfer across to the magnificent Sukhothai Historical Park. The ancient temples here are set amidst serene countryside, and the green season is a great time to cycle around and enjoy the natural beauty and atmospheric ancient ruins.
(Photo: Chirawan Thaiprasansap / Shutterstock.com)
The low season is ideal for exploring Kanchanaburi. Easy to reach from Bangkok, this is an area of Thailand synonymous with World War II. Although many overseas tourists only visit Kanchanaburi on day trips to see the Death Railway and Bridge on the River Kwai, this is a province with gorgeous natural attractions like Erawan Waterfall and Sok Yai National Park. The green season months are a perfect time to combine a visit to Kanchanaburi’s wartime sites with a few days relaxing amidst nature.
Fabulous festivals
Hardly a month goes by in Thailand without a colourful festival taking place, and the low season has plenty of special events to look out for. Many traditional communities in Thailand rely on agriculture, so the arrival of the rains is an important time of the year. This is reflected in several festivals that take place during this period.
Ebullient Rocket Festivals take place in areas of the north and north-east in May as a way to encourage the rains, while Loei is the setting for the bawdy Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival in June.
(Photo © Mick Shippen)
Important Buddhist holidays during this time include Visakha Bucha Day and Asahna Bucha Day. The low season sees the start of the Phansa rains retreat period. Sometimes referred to as ‘Buddhist Lent’, this is a popular time for Thai boys and men to be temporarily ordained as Buddhist monks. It’s also a time when elaborate candle festivals are held, with the most notable in Ubon Ratchathani.
Awk Phansa signifies the end of the Phansa period and, as another significant date in the calendar, sees an array of regional festivals. The green season also coincides with the traditional longboat racing season, with events taking place on rivers across Thailand.
(Photo: Goldquest / Shutterstock.com)
September (sometimes October) is a month which hosts Vegetarian Festivals. While they might not sound the most exciting, travel to Phuket and you will witness one of the most memorable events in the Thai festival calendar. Be warned, though; it’s not for the squeamish or anyone who doesn’t like noise!
Relaxing beach holidays
There are regional variations in the weather, so while sea conditions may be indifferent during the low season on the East Coast (e.g. Ko Chang) and Andaman Coast (e.g. Krabi, Phuket), the Gulf Coast sees mainly settled weather from May to September. This makes locations including Chumphon, Hua Hin, Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan an excellent choice for a beach holiday.
- Itinerary Ideas: Chumphon and Surat Thani
- Itinerary Ideas: Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung
- Low season travel itinerary for Thailand
Outdoor adventures
The low season is a great time for outdoor adventures. The Chiang Mai area offers plenty of hiking opportunities with a mix of scenic trails suitable for trekkers of all levels. Or take to the road and experience the beauty of North Thailand on a memorable tuk-tuk adventure.
(photo courtesy of The Tuk Tuk Club)
If you like the idea of an active beach holiday and aren’t so concerned about simply sunbathing on the beach, consider a visit to Phuket or Khao Lak. You won’t need to worry about a boat crossing over rough seas to get there, and the winds at this time of year not only provide cooler conditions but also make it good for surfing and kiteboarding.
(Photo: Memories Beach Bar Facebook page)
Thailand isn’t an obvious surfing destination, but there is a small and dedicated community centred around Phuket and Khao Lak. While the waves aren’t huge, they are good for beginners and intermediate surfers.
Month-by-month guide to Thailand’s low season
Click on any month below for more tips and advice about the weather in Thailand, the best places to go and what to see and do:
You may also enjoy:
Fan Club Thailand
Tourism Thailand (UK & Ireland)
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