Thailand Weather

When to Travel to Thailand

You are likely to experience a variety of weather during your trip to Thailand. The climate varies from place to place, as the geography is incredibly varied, and the seasons are not entirely predictable, so please take the following as a guide and be prepared for changes in climate.

General Weather Guidelines

Thailand is warm year -round. The winter months of November – March are considered the best months to visit Thailand. The weather is dry and sunny and the days are warm, but not too hot.

March – June is considered shoulder season. These months can be good for beach holidays, but the cities can be very hot. The hot season lasts from March to June, with April and May being the hottest months.

Thailand’s rainy season, or monsoon season, is from July to September. The first few months of rain are heavy but inconsistent, while the final months become more persistent. July to September is the low season.

Of note: The Gulf of Thailand experiences a reverse monsoon from the rest of Thailand. This includes the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Ko Tao. These islands are dry and warm January through August and experience a later monsoon from September to December.

October is considered shoulder season as Thailand emerges from the monsoon season and the country starts to dry out. The whole of Thailand is very lush and green!

Below are some temperature and precipitation averages for 3 different regions of Thailand:

BANGKOK & SURROUNDINGS:

CHIANG MAI & THE NORTH:

PHUKET & THE SOUTHERN ISLANDS:

Scuba & Snorkeling

Divers from all over the world flock to Thailand to explore the country’s famous underwater sites and marine parks.

Thailand’s east coast welcomes divers year-round. Visibility is considered best May-September but dive quality will be superb throughout the year.

If you want to visit the west coast and the Andaman Sea (known for the famous Surin and Similan islands) November to April is the best time to visit. This time period offers calm water, good visibility, and the chance to see whale sharks (March-June). Note that the Similan and Surin Marine Parks are closed seasonally from June – October.

 

Festivals

Thailand offers a number of festivals that can be a treat to add to your trip.

  • January(ish): Chinese New Year. Bangkok’s Chinatown becomes a colorful display of dragons, drummers, and lanterns.
  • February: Flower Festival in Chiang Mai. A 3 day festival featuring elaborate floats and lots of flowers.
  • April: Songkran (Thai New Year). Prepare to get wet as the whole country turns into one big water fight. April is generally the hottest month of the year so you’ll probably welcome the liquid cooldown!
  • November: Loy Krathong and Yi Peng. Release beautifully decorated lanterns and water floats into the night sky, accompanied by vibrant parades and festivities.

 

Burning Season

Burning season in Thailand, primarily affecting the northern regions, is a period of increased air pollution caused by the practice of slash-and-burn agriculture. Burning season typically occurs between January and April, with February and March being the peak months.

How much smoke is in the air depends on weather conditions, including which way the wind is blowing and whether it has rained recently.

If air quality is a major concern for your health, you should plan your trip outside of burning season (May-December).

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