Best Time to Visit Thailand

Three seasons, two coasts

Thailand has a cool, dry season from about November to February. It's the easy time to go. Mornings are fresh in Chiang Mai, Bangkok's streets are walkable, and beaches are calm. It's also high season, so flights and rooms fill up, especially around Christmas and New Year.

Then comes the hot season. In Bangkok, March is the hottest month at 37°C, and Chiang Mai hits 36°C in April. Afternoons feel heavy, so plan temples for early morning and give midday to a mall or a long lunch. Songkran, the Thai New Year water fight, runs around 13 to 15 April. It's huge fun in Chiang Mai, but expect to get soaked and some places to shut.

Where the rain falls

The rainy season runs roughly May to October, but it doesn't hit everywhere at once. The Andaman side, home to Phuket and Krabi, peaks in September, with Phuket getting 357 mm that month. Seas get rough, and some boat trips to the Phi Phi islands stop or get bumpy. Bangkok, Pattaya and Chiang Mai also peak in August or September, though rain usually comes as short, heavy showers rather than all-day grey.

Ko Samui is the odd one out. It's on the Gulf side, and its wettest month is November, with 424 mm. So when the west coast is soggy, Samui can still be a good bet. Hua Hin is also on the Gulf and has its rain peak in October.

Picking your month

If you want one safe answer, go between December and February. Phuket, Krabi and Ko Samui all do best in February, while Bangkok is at its best in December and Chiang Mai in January. Hua Hin is best in December and January, and Pattaya in December to February.

Hate crowds and don't mind showers? Try June or July. Prices drop and the countryside around Chiang Mai turns bright green. Just skip the Andaman islands in September. Travelling with kids? Thai school holidays in March to May and the Chinese New Year week can make popular beaches busy, so book Phuket early then.