When is the best time to visit Thailand?

When you start planning your trip to Thailand, one of the first questions you may have is, ‘when is the best time to visit?’ Although any month can be a good month to visit Thailand, the answer will depend on what is most important to you for your holiday. If maximising your budget is at the top of your list, consider visiting Thailand during the low season months from May to September. Internal flights and accommodation are often discounted during this time making a holiday in Thailand even better value for money than usual. If you are looking to explore the Thai countryside, October to January can be ideal with cooler temperatures and the scenery at its most picturesque. And if you are seeking a relaxing beach holiday, December to April tends to be the most popular period.

There are regional variations in the weather, but broadly speaking there are three seasons in Thailand; cool season, hot season, and the green season (also known as the rainy season).

Cool season in Thailand (November-February)

The middle of November marks the arrival of the cool season in Thailand. With pleasant temperatures, lower levels of rainfall and a drop in humidity, the cool season is an ideal time to explore Thailand. The settled weather corresponds with the tourist high season with more demand on flights and accommodation. This is especially true during the peak of the high season from mid-December to mid-January with visitors from the West seeking tropical sunshine over the Christmas and New Year period. If you are planning to visit Thailand at this time of year it’s advisable to book accommodation in advance. And look out too for one of Thailand’s most romantic festivals, Loy Krathong, which usually falls in November and is celebrated nationwide.

Hot season in Thailand (March-May)

The arrival of March heralds Thailand’s hot season. Although temperatures are warm all-year round in Thailand, they take a distinct upward turn in March with hot and dry conditions for many inland areas of the country. It’s the perfect time to head to the coast and enjoy the sea breezes and relax on those glorious Thai islands and beaches. With temperatures continuing to rise during April, there is a unique way to cool off in the form of the Songkran New Year Water Festival. The traditional Thai New Year festivities involve playful water fights and the chance for everybody to let their hair down and relax with family and friends during the extended holiday break.

Green season in Thailand (May/June-October)

Thailand’s green season (rainy season) can be a wonderful time to visit the country. It’s true that when the rain comes (often in the late afternoon or evening) it can be torrential, but downpours are often short and sharp and there is plenty of sunshine to balance out the showers. The rainy season months provide the opportunity to see the Thai countryside at its greenest and with green season promotions available on internal flights and accommodation, there are plenty of advantages to visiting Thailand at this time of year. And if you are in search of a beach holiday, regional variations in the weather mean that the Gulf Coast sees lots of sunshine and good weather from May-July. This makes locations including Chumphon, Hua Hin and Ko Samui an excellent choice for a beach holiday.

Month by month guide to Thailand

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:

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