The Best Time to Visit Thailand

Thailand is an excellent destination for travelers, all ages and interests, from all around the world. The number of tourists visiting this “Land of Smiles” was recorded to be 38.28 million in 2018, and this statistic is continually increasing.

The best part is Thailand is pleasant throughout the year. The cold months between November and April are the best time to visit the country.

In the south, the weather between the western and eastern coast is entirely different. The west coast is more favorable during winters for unforgettable scuba diving and snorkeling. The east coast is suitable for most of the year. It experiences the lowest rainfall between January and February and the highest in November.

Take a look at this guide to get an idea of Thailand’s monthly weather pattern:

January

January is a peak season for tourism in Thailand, with little chance of rain. While southern beaches have sunny days, cooler temperature in the central and northern areas are perfect for trekking in jungles or sightseeing.

January is the best month to visit Sam Phan Bok and Trang.  Sam Pan Bok is known as the "Grand Canyon of Thailand" and in the Mekong River, it has a huge rock-climbing wall. Also, Trang is a passage to various beautiful beaches, islands, and mountains.

Get thrilled at the Chinese New Year Festival in Bangkok's Chinatown. Don’t forget to attend the annual Umbrella Festival in Bo Sang village to witness the skilled traditional art of colorful paper parasols and to enjoy folk dancing and plenty of food stands.

February

During this month, the cooler temperature begin rising but are still suitable for wandering around. Bangkok and the rest of central Thailand, and the northern regions experience a little increase in temperature.

The Red Lotus Sea in Udon Thani makes a wonderful escape for honeymooners. In February, the lake springs into bloom, covering it with beautiful pink lotus flowers.

The Buddhist celebration and Thai national holiday of Makha often fall in February. You can observe spiritual rituals in temples, and Bangkok’s Wat Saket is the best for this. Chiang Mai Flower Festival is a three-day festival, held in the first weekend of the month. It features a parade and colorful displays of chrysanthemums and the Damask Rose, a rose variety exclusively found in Chiang Mai.

The Prachinburi’s Makha Bucha fair also see travelers from around the world for processions, cultural demonstrations, and a lantern release. Beach lovers can head to Thailand’s southern coasts for soaking up the sunshine.

March

Expect to find excellent weather throughout the country in March, with the temperature rising in all coasts. This means it’s a great month to enjoy sun-kissed beaches throughout Thailand and indulge in water sports. 

Nature lovers and environmentalists should head to the Turtle Release Festival in Phang Nga. The Chumphon Marine Festival is also lively, with sand sculptures, marine tourism, water sports, and seafood galore.

Do you ever dream of riding a hot air balloon? If so, the Thailand International Balloon Festival is the best place to be at. The three-day Pattaya International Music Festival is Thailand’s one of the best music festivals. The best part is this festival is entirely free to attend. National Muay Thai Day, which holds on March 17, is a great time to learn about this traditional martial art.

April

April sees the low tourism due to hot weather but this month sees one of the country’s biggest festivals: Songkran - the traditional New Year's Day in Thailand. Scented water is poured over people and in the street to symbolize vanishing away bad luck and sins.

Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai are some of the best destinations to get wet and adventurous during this month. Drink plenty of water, use sunscreen and it is worth booking accommodation with air-conditioning to beat the heat.

May

For the majority of May, expect very little rain. But for guaranteed sunshine, stick to the east coast. Another hot month, May is a great time to hit the country’s offbeat destinations and join in unusual festivals.

Chanthaburi hosts The World Durian Fruit Festival this month May. The festival features many competitions and games, parades, sales, fairs adorned with fruit. Fruit tasting opportunities are a bonus!

Usually held on the second week, Bun Bang Fai Festival sees rockets launching into the skies in hopes of receiving rains. Attend the Brutal Ordination Parade, a monk ordination ritual in Chaiyaphum when monks-to-be paraded around the town.

Visit the Chiang Mai’s Doi Suthep and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok to be a part of the Buddhist holiday of Visakha Bucha Day. It signifies a big celebration for Thai Buddhists, commemorating the birth and death of Lord Buddha.

June

If you are planning a Thailand tour in June, then you can expect some rain, but in many regions, you can enjoy the sunshine and high temperature as well.

Moreover, you can have a great experience at Hua Hin Jazz Festival and in the lush & colorful fields of Siam tulips at Pa Hin Ngam National Park in Chaiyaphum.

If you are planning a north Thailand tour, you can relish the Phi Ta Khon Festival in Dan Sai region of Loei province. Phi Ta Khon is a famous regional festival during which people get dressed in ghost costumes, cover their faces with significant marks and conduct parades on the streets of Dan Sai.

July

July is a brilliant month to visit Thailand and explore the charming inland of the country. The weather in this month is similar to that of June.

Along with drizzling, you can enjoy extended sunshine.   

During your stay, you can attend the Asahna Bucha Day. This occasion commemorates the day on which the Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon about 2500 years ago.

Furthermore, there are various exquisite places you can visit in July. Statistically, you can discover Gulf coast of Thailand, including Hua Hin and Ko Samui, because they face pretty less rainfall. Besides, Pattaya is the best place to visit as it experiences lesser rain.

August

August is known as the green month in Thailand, and even if it is raining, you still can relish Thailand’s scenic beauty of the rural provinces like Mae Hong Son.

If your trip includes a visit to north-east Thailand, don’t forget to carry an umbrella, a raincoat, and waterproof accessories.

You might also love to soak up the culture and history of Thailand’s picturesque locations, such as Chiang Mai and Sukhothai.

On the 12th of August, people in Thailand celebrate the birthday of Queen Sirikit which is also considered as Mother’s Day. So, it doesn’t matter in which part of Thailand you are in, you will discover regional celebrations on the streets in the memory of Thai Queen.

September

In Thailand, September experiences a general improvement in the weather. The amount of rainfall starts to decline in most regions, and the temperature begin to fall. The islands in the Gulf of Coast are the best spots to visit in September

Fortunately, you can also relish plenty of sunshine and clear skies from time to time in September. Also, the waterfalls of Sai Yok Noi and Namtok Si Dit look more appealing and bring out the exceptional aromas of the green countryside.

Tourists can enjoy the Car Free Day of Bangkok in September. In this event, longboat racing events are conducted in central, north, and north-east regions of Thailand. If you are staying till 28th September, you can discover the national Flag Day.

You can also relish the breathtaking beaches of Ko Samui, especially Bophut Beach, laced with various restaurants and bars in the beautiful Fisherman’s Village.

October

October is the shoulder-season for Thailand tourism. As compared to other months, October experiences fewer visitors, which is why you can experience many discounted deals on flights and hotels.

In November, the Awk Phansa event is organized that denotes the official end of the rainy season. But don’t forget to carry an umbrella with you as the weather in Thailand can be unpredictable. It is a mixture of drizzles and sunshine throughout the country.

Despite the rain, you can enjoy the warm temperature. This makes October a brilliant month to discover the beauty of Thailand countryside. You can explore the charming rice fields in the north and north-east regions of the country.

You can also enjoy many activities on developed islands, such as Ko Samui and Phuket. And, if you are looking for a beach break, visiting Hua Hin and Cha-Am and Pattaya on the east coast are probably the best options.

November

In November, the heavy rainfall decreases in amount, and the temperature gets colder. The lesser humid air, as compared to that of September and October, makes the sightseeing comfortable.

Bangkok and Chiang Mai are the perfect places to visit during November as the average amount of rainfall are lower than that of the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Coast.

But this should not stop you from visiting Ko Samui as the weather of southern peninsula is unpredictable, and you don’t want to miss the beauty of the place.

The famed festival of Loy Krathong occurs in this month, though the date varies every year because of its dependency on the lunar calendar. You can enjoy this festival in any part of the country because it is celebrated nationwide.

You can discover the krathongs, unique Thai floating sculptures, being launched on the islands and beaches, rivers and lakes. Thai people host the illuminated floats and group together to enjoy this multi-colored event.

December

December is one of the best months to visit Thailand. This is because, with a less humid environment, your sightseeing experiences become more enjoyable. December denotes the beginning of the tourist season in Thailand.

Cities like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are moderately cold. But you will find many people wearing half sleeve shirts and boxers during daytime. Contrarily, if you head towards Pai, a hilly city, you might experience a chilling night.

As you move towards the south, the temperature difference between the day and night is lesser than in the North.

People mostly visit Thailand in December to relish Christmas and New Year celebrations. Although Thailand is a Buddhist country, don’t be shocked if you see a Christmas tree in Thai shops and people wearing Santa hats.    

And, if by any chance, you happen to be in Pattaya or Bangkok on 31st of December, you can enjoy the countdown events and sky lanterns festivities.

When Not To Plan A Thailand Trip

With a wide array of festivals and pleasant weather conditions throughout the year, there is absolutely no bad time to plan a Thailand trip.

However, there are better times to visit particular regions. Read this guide and decide when the best time to visit Thailand is.

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