How to Choose The Best Month To Visit Thailand

If you’ve been researching the best month to visit Thailand, you’re in the right place! Many friends and family members have asked me what the best time of year to visit Thailand is. It’s actually not a straight answer and believe it or not, a lot of it depends on YOUR preferences.

For example, you might prefer to hang out at the beach a lot, and in that case, rainy season is probably not for you. Some of you might like it really hot, and some not so much, so again, the time of year will be different.

And then there’s the Thai holidays and high season. Some people just want to avoid the crowds and get a better deal on a hotel in low season. The good news is, there’s a season for everyone but in this article, I am going to give you a general overview of my experience and when I think it’s best to come.

Understanding Thailand’s Climate Zones

There are 3 different types of Climate in Thailand, depending on the time of year.

• Cool Season (November to February)
• Hot Season (March to May)
• Rainy Season (June to October)

Pros and Cons of Visiting in Each Season

Cool Season Pros: November to February are the months that are most comfortable weather-wise. Average highs are about 80 degrees Fahrenheit or 27 degrees Celcius while the lows can dip down to 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 16 degrees Celcius. The lows usually occur at night which makes for great sleeping.

Cool Season Cons: This is peak travel season so it’s going to be busy. It’s also more expensive because generally hotel rates and flights are higher this time of year.

Hot Season Pros: There are fewer tourists during the hot season so you’re going to get better deals on hotels and flights. Another benefit is fewer tourists so you’ll feel less crowded.

Hot Season Cons: Temperatures can get as high as 45 degrees Celcius or 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the extreme heat, outdoor activities can be quite challenging for certain groups. It’s best to limit them to early morning or early evening when it’s cooler.

Rainy Season Pros: During the rainy season there are also fewer tourists, so you’ll enjoy better deals on hotels and flights. This time offers you a more laid-back and authentic experience.

Rainy Season Cons: Frequent and sometimes heavy rains can disrupt travel plans and outdoor activities. Certain areas may experience flooding, which can impact transportation and accessibility. Humidity is quite high this time of year which could impact certain groups.

How To Decide When to Visit Thailand

Based on what you have read so far above, you should already have a good idea of when you should visit Thailand. If budget is your number one concern and you don’t care about flash floods once in a while and high temps with high humidity, then come during the rainy or hot season when it’s cheaper.

If good weather is your main concern, then you’ll want to come during the cool season which is November to February.

If you want to come during festivals like Songkran or the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, then book your trip when those events are on. Songkran is the biggest event of the year and occurs in mid-April. It gets pretty wild so be prepared to get wet.

The Best Months To Visit Thailand (My Favorites)

The following is based on my experience in Thailand. You may agree or disagree and that’s ok – everyone is different!

October

October usually spells the end of the muggy rainy season and it’s actually quite nice. The first time I came to Thailand was in October, and the weather was great. You’ll get the occasional rain shower too, but that doesn’t last very long and the sun pops out again not long after. In a way, the rain is a bit refreshing. It’s also not so busy as high season hasn’t started yet, so you’ll get some great deals on flights and hotel stays.

November

November is kind of a continuation of October, with less chance of rain. While tourism starts to pick up in November, it’s still not as busy as in the next two months that follow. This means that you’ll be able to still see lots of attractions without too many crowds. It goes without saying that you can still get some good deals on hotels and flights for this month. I especially like this month for the Loy Krathong festival which is something everyone should experience at least once.

January

January is winter in Thailand but not the winter you experience in the West. The main thing I like is that you can sleep with your windows open, there’s no need for aircon overnight. It can still get hot during the day, but the evenings are fantastic weather-wise.

If you travel farther up north like in Chiang-Mai, especially if you are at a higher elevation, you could experience temperatures around 15 degrees Celcius (59 F) during the day. It’s a very odd experience to feel these low temperatures anywhere in Thailand during the day, but I love it! Bear in mind it does get quite busy this time of year but if you avoid the tourist traps you’ll definitely have lots of room to move around.

April

Ok, so April is the hottest month of the year in Thailand but why do I like it? It’s because of the Songkran festival that occurs mid-month. Thais and foreigners alike all participate in this water festival which occurs in almost all major cities.

I remember getting soaked in Bangkok and then having to take the BTS (above-ground train system) with blaring air conditioning. It’s all fun though and since for some this time of year is too hot, fewer people come to Thailand so prices are pretty good.

May

May marks the beginning of the rainy season and to be honest I kind of like it. Most people think that it rains all the time and while in some places like Phuket that can see consistent rain for 2 or 3 days straight, places like Bangkok will have heavy rain for 20 minutes or so a day then it clears right up again.

It’s quite fun (and nerve-wracking at times) driving my car in the flooded streets. It’s something you never see in the West. If you don’t mind waiting out the rain for a bit, there’s no reason to avoid May in Thailand. Just be sure to bring an umbrella with you because the skies can open at a moment’s notice. If you’re in Bangkok though, there’s plenty of places to take shelter – not so much if you’re on a beach somewhere in the country.

What Time of The Year Should You Avoid Traveling to Thailand?

Burning Season – In the north of Thailand, particularly Chiang Mai, farmers burn their crops after harvest. This causes terrible pollution and at times unsafe breathing conditions. If you have respiratory issues, you’ll want to avoid northern Thailand at all costs during these months which is usually from mid-January to mid-April.

Songkran – Now, just because I like Songkran which occurs mid-April and can usually last for a week or two (some cities only have 2 or 3 days of celebrating while others have more) that doesn’t mean that you will. You can expect every single tourist destination to be packed with not just tourists but Thais as well since this is a national holiday and the New Year for Thais.

Rainy Season – If sunny weather all day long is your idea of a vacation, then you might be a bit disappointed during the rainy season. Some places like Phuket can see a LOT of rain for days at a time while others might just have flash storms that last for 15 minutes. If you only have a couple of weeks in Thailand, you might want to consider coming during the high season instead.

Optimize Your Thailand Trip Regardless of the Month

So, by now, I think you know the answer to the question – when is the best time to visit Thailand? It all depends on YOU. I have my own reasons why I like certain times of the year but yours might be different.

You can now know what time suits you best. To summarize, if weather is your number one concern where it’s not too hot and rarely rains, then your choice should be during the cool season. If price is a big issue and you don’t mind flash flooding and heavy rains once in a while, then the rainy or hot season is a good option because it will save you some money.

Frequently Asked Questions About When to Visit Thailand