Thailand is one of the most accessible and well-loved travel destinations in Southeast Asia. It’s a great place to visit any time of year, but if you’re looking to hit the beach, you’ll want to book a trip for some time during the dry, sunny season between November and early April. Weather can vary throughout the year, and crowds and prices fluctuate accordingly.
“Thailand is a tropical country with two distinct seasons,” said Jack Tydeman, a member of T+L’s A-List of travel advisors and the Southeast Asia senior specialist at Audley Travel. “It is typically warm all year round. However, the winter months from November through March are the peak dry season and are considered the best time to travel to the majority of the country. April is the hottest month in Thailand before the country moves into the wetter season from May through October.”
These are Thailand’s three travel seasons:
- High: November to March
- Shoulder: April to June and the month of October
- Low: July to September
One caveat is that Thailand is a big country stretching more than 1,000 miles (1,609.34 km) from north to south, so conditions will also depend on where you are. For example, November marks the beginning of the sunny high season on the Andaman coast, but also the start of the monsoon season on the Gulf side.
So, before you book your jungle tree house and island boat tour, read on for the best times to go to Thailand.
The best times to visit Thailand
The best times to visit Thailand for great weather
For ideal weather, visit Thailand during the dry season, which for most of the country kicks off in November and lasts through March or even into April and May. A major exception is the Lower Gulf — home to the island paradises of Koh Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Koh Tao — which is rainiest from September through December.
On the Andaman coast, November to February has the coolest, most comfortable weather, with average temps in the 80s and little chance of rain. This means clear, blue waters and gorgeous scenery that’s lush from the previous monsoon season. On top of perfect weather, this time of year sees major Thai festivals and the Western Christmas and New Year holidays, so you’re also looking at Thailand’s biggest crowds and highest prices. Time your trip for early November and you might just beat the throngs.
As for the low season, it’s best to temper your expectations. “It is possible to travel over the summer months. However, you may see some short, sharp showers,” he said. “As the east coast of Thailand has its own unique weather patterns, summer is actually the drier season there.”
The best times to visit Thailand for low prices
Thailand is a relatively affordable destination throughout the year, though travellers may find the steepest discounts on flights, accommodations, and tours during the low/monsoon season (July to September).
“The low season does have its advantages, as it’s quieter and the rates are typically lower. This makes Thailand a great value destination during the summer,” said Tydeman. “However, some months are hotter and some are wetter. As Thailand is in a tropical region, the rains tend to be short, sharp showers for most of the country. Summer is now commonly referred to as ‘green season’ due to the rains turning the countryside green and filling the rivers and waterfalls.”
Naturally, visiting during the wet season is a gamble. Rains could come in brief cloudbursts, or they could come in days-long downpours that affect boat service and island access. July brings more summer tourists and August tends to see cloudy skies and regular heavy rainfall. September is the wettest and least crowded month. To split the difference, consider visiting during the shoulder season (April through June, or October), when rains are generally of the brief afternoon storm variety.
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The best times to visit Thailand for festivals
Travelers should try to experience at least one of Thailand’s many festivals, which celebrate everything from flowers and fruit to monkeys and elephants.
Two of the most beloved are the late-November Lantern Festivals: Yi Peng, during which participants release thousands of rice-paper lanterns into the sky; and Loy Krathong, for which Thais create banana-leaf baskets, fill them with flowers and burning candles, and release them onto lakes, rivers, and canals. Chiang Mai is the Yi Peng epicentre (tourists can participate with ticketed entry, starting at around USD 130/HKD 1,013) and Loy Krathong is celebrated across the country.
The Chinese New Year in January or February turns Bangkok’s Chinatown into a sea of dragons, drummers, worshippers, and visitors, all under the glow of firecrackers and red lanterns. Also in February is the three-day Flower Festival in Chiang Mai, which culminates with a parade of elaborate floats painstakingly decorated with chrysanthemums, damask roses, and other varieties.
Songkran (a.k.a. Water Splashing Festival) ushers in the Thai New Year in mid-April with parades, parties, and performances across the country. “Songkran turns Thailand into one big water fight,” said Tydeman. “It also coincides with the hottest month of the year, so it’s a perfect excuse to get wet.”
The Vegetarian Festival takes place in late September or early October and commemorates a nine-day abstinence from meat in honour of the Nine Emperor Gods of Taoism.
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The best times to visit Thailand for scuba diving
Divers from all over the world flock to Thailand to explore the country’s famous underwater sites and stunning marine parks. Thailand’s east coast is largely dive-friendly throughout the year. If you plan an excursion to the Andaman Sea — home to the extraordinary Similan and Surin Islands — time the trip between November and April when the seas are calm and visibility is clearest. Also, keep in mind that Similan and Surin marine parks close from mid-May to mid-October.
Book your stay at The Shore At Katathani - Adult Only - SHA Extra Plus via Booking.com
Book your stay at The Shore at Katathani - Adults only (SHA Plus+) via Agoda.com
The best times to visit Thailand for Island-hopping
Boating from one jungle-topped limestone island to another is a great way to explore Thailand, but downpours between May and October can put the kibosh on nautical fun. Some southern Andaman resorts are even close for the rainy season.
“The islands off the west coast, like Phuket, are best to visit in the winter months, whereas the islands off the east coast, like Koh Samui, are great to visit in the summer,” said Tydeman.
This means you should time your bouncing around Phuket, the Phi Phi Islands, Ko Lanta, and other Andaman isles between late October (when the rains taper off) and May or June. Ko Lanta is effectively closed during the monsoon season — you may be able to get there, but accommodation options are seriously limited. Conversely, Gulf of Thailand idylls Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Ko Pha-Ngan are at their rainiest and windiest between October and December.
If you want to avoid the crowds, keep in mind that students from Australia and Europe flock to Thailand’s islands in June and July to work and party during their summer breaks.
The best times to visit Thailand for shopping
No matter what time of year you visit Thailand, try to fit in at least one weekend in Bangkok so you can experience the vast Chatuchak Weekend Market, open from 9 am – 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. In fact, most of the stalls are covered, so you can visit even on a rainy day.
Tydeman also recommended visiting Bangkok’s night markets, which offer “everything from original artwork and designer bags to kitschy souvenirs and secondhand books.”
Chiang Mai’s weekend markets deserve a look as well. Every Saturday night, Wua Lai Road (just south of the Old City) closes to traffic and hosts hundreds of silversmiths, wood carvers, clothing purveyors, sketch artists, and performing musicians. On Sundays, the scene essentially repeats itself along the length of Ratchadamnoen Road, which bustles with artisans, food vendors, and massage stations.
Book your stay at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River via Booking.com
Book your stay at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River via Agoda.com
(Hero and feature image credit: Tuul and Bruno Morandi / Getty Images)
This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com
All currency conversions were done at the time of writing
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