With warm temperatures throughout the year and a diverse range of destinations and experiences to choose from, Thailand is the ideal year-round destination. One of the most frequently asked questions we get is, “when is the best time to visit Thailand?” The short answer is that any month can be a good month to visit. To help you plan your trip to Thailand, we’ve put together a breakdown of what you can expect from each month.
(Photo: Shutterstock)
Amazing festivals
There is hardly a month goes by without some colourful festival taking place in Thailand. Be prepared to get a good-natured soaking as you join in the fun for the Songkran New Year Water Festival in April. Take time to reflect during the beautiful Loy Krathong Festival in November and look out for a whole host of local festivals that take place throughout the year.
Thailand’s three seasons
Temperatures in Thailand remain warm all year round with three seasons; cool season (known in Thai as ruedu yen) from November-February, hot season (ruedu rawn) from March-May, and the green season/rainy season (ruedu fon) from May/June-October. There are regional variations to these general patterns and even when the rain does fall in Thailand it can often be in short-lived tropical downpours.
Best beach weather
With different weather patterns affecting the Gulf Coast and Andaman Coast, you can still find a sunny Thai beach to relax on whatever time of year you travel. As a general rule, these are the areas where you should see the best weather:
April-October: Gulf Coast islands (Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao)
November-March: Andaman Coast (including Krabi, Phuket), East Coast (including Ko Chang, Pattaya)
January
(Photo: Shutterstock)
The weather in Thailand is generally settled throughout January. With pleasant temperatures and lower humidity it’s a good time of the year to explore city destinations like Bangkok and Chiang Mai or head out into the scenic countryside of north Thailand.
January is also a good month to visit many of Thailand’s beach resorts or islands. The only potential exception is the Gulf Coast, which can sometimes see isolated showers in the first half of the month. The opposite Andaman Coast usually has consistently good weather throughout January making it a great time to go island hopping and visit some of the best beaches Thailand has to offer.
Read more about visiting Thailand in January
Events and festivals:
Chinese Lunar New Year (usually falls in January or February)
January weather table
| Location | Avg. Min. Temp. (C) | Avg. Max. Temp. (C) | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
| Bangkok | 20 | 32 | 11 |
| Chiang Mai | 13 | 29 | 8 |
| Ko Samui | 24 | 29 | 144 |
| Krabi | 24 | 33 | 7 |
| Pattaya | 23 | 30 | 19 |
| Phuket | 22 | 32 | 42 |
February
(Photo: Roy Cavanagh)
February is a good month to leave behind the colder climes of the UK and Ireland and top up on ‘Vitamin Sea’ with a beach holiday in Thailand. Wherever you decide to go you can look forward to plenty of blue skies and warm temperatures. Beyond the beach you can expect to see excellent weather wherever you visit. The blue skies and sunshine of February is also accompanied by low humidity levels and comfortable temperatures.
Read more about visiting Thailand in February
Events and festivals:
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
FEbruary weather table
| Location | Avg. Min. Temp. (C) | Avg. Max. Temp. (C) | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
| Bangkok | 22 | 33 | 28 |
| Chiang Mai | 14 | 32 | 6 |
| Ko Samui | 25 | 30 | 33 |
| Krabi | 24 | 34 | 7 |
| Pattaya | 25 | 31 | 14 |
| Phuket | 22 | 33 | 30 |
March
The arrival of March sees rising temperatures as the cool season gradually makes way to the hot season. With the peak tourist season months now over, a drop in prices for accommodation and internal flights in March can make a spring holiday in Thailand even more tempting. Similar weather patterns are in place on Thailand’s different coastlines and with calm conditions at sea, March is an excellent month to visit any of the many islands or mainland beach resorts.
Read more about visiting Thailand in March
Events and festivals:
Makha Bucha Day (usually falls in February or March)
National Thai Elephant Day
National Muay Thai Day
March weather table
| Location | Avg. Min. Temp. (C) | Avg. Max. Temp. (C) | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
| Bangkok | 24 | 34 | 31 |
| Chiang Mai | 17 | 34 | 15 |
| Ko Samui | 26 | 31 | 51 |
| Krabi | 25 | 34 | 36 |
| Pattaya | 25 | 32 | 52 |
| Phuket | 23 | 33 | 60 |
April
(Photo: artapartment/Shutterstock.com)
April sees one of Thailand’s most keenly anticipated holidays, the ebullient Songkran New Year Water Festival. Celebrated with gusto throughout the country, Songkran is an event which everybody who loves Thailand should try to experience in person at least once in their lifetime.
The hot season has well and truly arrived by April, but Thailand is geared up to deal with the heat with air-conditioning in taxis, hotels and shopping malls. Just remember to keep hydrated and try to schedule sightseeing for the cooler mornings or late afternoons.
Read more about visiting Thailand in April
Events and festivals:
Poy Sang Long Festival
Songkran Thai New Year Water Festival
April weather table
| Location | Avg. Min. Temp. (C) | Avg. Max. Temp. (C) | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
| Bangkok | 25 | 35 | 72 |
| Chiang Mai | 22 | 36 | 45 |
| Ko Samui | 26 | 32 | 86 |
| Krabi | 25 | 34 | 120 |
| Pattaya | 26 | 33 | 67 |
| Phuket | 24 | 33 | 157 |
May
May signifies the start of the tourist low season months as Thailand transitions from the hot season into the green season. The rainfall during May is welcome, marking the end of the long hot season and bringing with it fresher conditions. The arrival of the rains has traditionally been an important time of the year in Thailand, especially in agricultural areas. And this is celebrated by locals with amazing Rocket Festivals which take place in areas of the north and north-east.
While much of the country is welcoming the start of the green season, the Gulf Coast islands of Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao enjoy extended spells of warm and sunny weather from April to October.
Read more about visiting Thailand in May
Events and festivals:
Rocket Festivals
Visakha Bucha Day (falls in May/June)
May weather table
| Location | Avg. Min. Temp. (C) | Avg. Max. Temp. (C) | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
| Bangkok | 25 | 34 | 190 |
| Chiang Mai | 23 | 34 | 153 |
| Ko Samui | 26 | 33 | 158 |
| Krabi | 25 | 32 | 346 |
| Pattaya | 26 | 32 | 177 |
| Phuket | 25 | 32 | 345 |
June
Pleasant conditions in June see the Thai countryside transform as the kingdom enters the green season. This is an ideal time to explore the natural beauty of Thailand. While there is an increased chance of rainfall on the Andaman Coast and East Coast, it can be a good month for a beach holiday on the Gulf Coast.
Read more about visiting Thailand in June
Events and festivals:
Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival
June weather table
| Location | Avg. Min. Temp. (C) | Avg. Max. Temp. (C) | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
| Bangkok | 24 | 33 | 152 |
| Chiang Mai | 23 | 32 | 136 |
| Ko Samui | 26 | 32 | 93 |
| Krabi | 26 | 32 | 204 |
| Pattaya | 27 | 31 | 79 |
| Phuket | 25 | 31 | 286 |
July
The Thai weather in July follows a similar pattern to June. It continues to be an enjoyable period for exploring the scenic countryside in the central and north regions. For a July beach holiday, take a look at Ko Samui or the Gulf Coast islands.
Read more about visiting Thailand in July
Events and festivals:
Asahna Bucha Day (usually falls in July or August)
Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival
July weather table
| Location | Avg. Min. Temp. (C) | Avg. Max. Temp. (C) | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
| Bangkok | 24 | 32 | 158 |
| Chiang Mai | 23 | 31 | 167 |
| Ko Samui | 25 | 32 | 131 |
| Krabi | 25 | 31 | 297 |
| Pattaya | 26 | 31 | 77 |
| Phuket | 25 | 31 | 284 |
August
August is a good time to get out and about and explore the diverse destinations Thailand has to offer beyond the beach. It’s true that the weather can be variable, but this time of the year has the advantage of less crowded visitor attractions and attractive deals to be had on hotels and internal flights. Temperatures are warm and although the tropical downpours can be intense in August, they are usually triggered later in the afternoon or evening.
Read more about visiting Thailand in August
Events and festivals:
Mother’s Day
August weather table
| Location | Avg. Min. Temp. (C) | Avg. Max. Temp. (C) | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
| Bangkok | 24 | 32 | 187 |
| Chiang Mai | 23 | 31 | 227 |
| Ko Samui | 25 | 32 | 106 |
| Krabi | 25 | 31 | 266 |
| Pattaya | 26 | 31 | 91 |
| Phuket | 25 | 31 | 272 |
September
(Photo: Shutterstock)
September is the peak of the green season and wherever you visit there is a fair chance you will see some rain. But that is more than balanced out with long periods of sunny weather and the advantage of seeing the Thai countryside at its greenest and most scenic. Head off the beaten track and explore destinations like Nan, Phrae and Phayao in the north or Phatthalung in the south.
As mentioned already, there are distinct advantages to visiting Thailand during the low season months with discounted room rates and green season promotions on internal flights.
Read more about visiting Thailand in September
Events and festivals:
Thai National Flag Day
September weather table
| Location | Avg. Min. Temp. (C) | Avg. Max. Temp. (C) | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
| Bangkok | 24 | 32 | 320 |
| Chiang Mai | 23 | 31 | 251 |
| Ko Samui | 25 | 32 | 113 |
| Krabi | 25 | 30 | 391 |
| Pattaya | 25 | 31 | 202 |
| Phuket | 25 | 30 | 417 |
October
For most of the country, October heralds the end of the wet season months. You can expect an enjoyable combination of sunshine and showers during your travels. The second half of October statistically sees less rain as the country moves towards the cool season months.
An important date in the Thai calendar, Awk Phansa marks the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat period. The exact date varies each year depending on the lunar calendar, but Awk Phansa usually falls in October. The occasion is celebrated with a number of different regional festivals across Thailand.
Read more about visiting Thailand in October
Events and festivals:
Awk Phansa (usually falls in October)
Vegetarian Festival (usually falls in September/October)
October weather table
| Location | Avg. Min. Temp. (C) | Avg. Max. Temp. (C) | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
| Bangkok | 24 | 31 | 231 |
| Chiang Mai | 21 | 31 | 132 |
| Ko Samui | 25 | 31 | 266 |
| Krabi | 24 | 31 | 345 |
| Pattaya | 24 | 31 | 249 |
| Phuket | 24 | 30 | 351 |
November
Thailand’s cool season officially commences in November with the cooler temperatures more noticeable the further north you travel. With most areas of the country seeing clear skies and lower humidity, it’s a wonderful month to travel in Thailand. It’s also a time of the year when Thailand celebrates one of its most photogenic events, the enchanting Loy Krathong Festival.
Read more about visiting Thailand in November
Events and festivals:
Loy Krathong
Yi Peng Lantern Festival
November weather table
| Location | Avg. Min. Temp. (C) | Avg. Max. Temp. (C) | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
| Bangkok | 22 | 31 | 57 |
| Chiang Mai | 19 | 30 | 44 |
| Ko Samui | 24 | 30 | 526 |
| Krabi | 24 | 31 | 173 |
| Pattaya | 23 | 30 | 134 |
| Phuket | 23 | 31 | 188 |
December
The pleasant weather conditions in December make this another good month to travel around Thailand. This is an excellent time of the year for family holidays and winter sunshine breaks. The cooler temperatures make it an ideal time to explore Thailand’s natural attractions like the golden sunflower fields in Mae Hong Son and the red lotus lake in Udon Thani.
December is one of the most popular months to visit Thailand and it is advisable to book accommodation and internal travel in advance especially during the peak travel period around Christmas and New Year.
Read more about visiting Thailand in December
Events and festivals:
Father’s Day
Christmas and New Year in Thailand
December weather table
| Location | Avg. Min. Temp. (C) | Avg. Max. Temp. (C) | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
| Bangkok | 20 | 31 | 9 |
| Chiang Mai | 15 | 28 | 15 |
| Ko Samui | 24 | 29 | 213 |
| Krabi | 24 | 31 | 39 |
| Pattaya | 22 | 30 | 4 |
| Phuket | 23 | 31 | 71 |
You may also enjoy
Fan Club Thailand
Tourism Thailand (UK & Ireland)
We are here to help you experience the best of amazing Thailand. Bookmark our online magazine for ideas and tips for what to see and do in Thailand, and follow us on social media for even more travel inspiration.
