The overall best time to visit Thailand is between November and early April when the weather is just about perfect. Although Thailand has several different regions, it’s best to avoid the months from May to October. The rainy season is technically from July to October, but monsoons and storms can pop up and delay or even ruin your trip as early as May.
Note that temperatures in Thailand reach their peak between April and May, sometimes exceeding 40C (104F), so if you’re not a fan of the heat, be sure to avoid those months.
Central & Eastern Thailand
These regions have extreme summer temperatures, typically in the mid-’90s during the hottest months of February through April. In the winter months, the temperatures are still relatively warm, settling around the high 70s to the mid-’80s. The rainy season begins around May in this region and goes through October. The rain is frequent but only in short bursts where the humidity relieves itself for an hour.
Northern Thailand
Both the North and Northeast regions have relatively similar seasons. The winters here are significantly cooler due to the higher elevations. Temperatures in winter may even get down to freezing levels on occasion. Spring is a great time to visit these areas, as flowers are in bloom and the weather is dry and cool.
Southern Thailand
The seasons in the south are less distinct than in other parts of the country. Two seasons exist, summer and rainy season. The south is divided into two distinct coastal areas: one lying to the East, which includes the Gulf of Thailand, and the other lying to the West of the Thai peninsula, including the Andaman Sea. Visiting the western areas of Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi is usually best from mid-November through April. This allows travelers to avoid the monsoons that occur during other months. Monsoons tend to make visiting islands by boat dangerous and susceptible to last-minute cancellations by operators.
Visiting the Gulf of Thailand regions of Koh Samui and Hat Yai is best done from December to June. However, this region can also visit during the rest of the year so long as short afternoon showers are a welcome occurrence. The monsoons in this region are not as severe or likely to cancel the day's activities in the Andaman Sea region.
Songkran Festival
Songkran is the celebration of the New Year according to the Thai calendar. It officially starts on April 13 and lasts for three days. Leading up to the holiday, it becomes quite common to splash people with water and toss a colored powder on them. Local monks and family members are honored, and huge water fights break out in the streets. Travelers should carry a cell phone and other cameras in watertight baggies to ensure nothing gets wet. Please keep in mind that even as a tourist, it is pretty inevitable that you will get wet during Songkran!
Bangkok Weather: Average Temperature and Rainfall
Month
Bangkok (central) avg temp ℉ (℃)
Bangkok avg rainfall in (mm)
January
80.6 (27)
0.4 (10)
February
82.4 (28)
0.8 (20)
March
84.2 (29)
1.4 (35)
April
86 (30)
3 (75)
May
85.1 (29.5)
8.7 (220)
June
84.2 (29)
5.9 (150)
July
83.3 (28.5)
6.1 (155)
August
82.4 (28)
8.5 (215)
September
80.6 (27)
13.6 (345)
October
80.6 (27)
10.4 (265)
November
78.8 (26)
2 (50)
December
77.9 (25.5)
0.3 (8)
Chiang Mai Weather: Average Temperature and Rainfall
Month
Chiang Mai (northern) avg temp ℉ (℃)
Chiang Mai avg rainfall in (mm)
January
69.8 (21)
0.4 (10)
February
73.4 (23)
0.6 (15)
March
78.8 (26)
0.8 (20)
April
84.2 (29)
2.2 (55)
May
82.4 (28)
6.1 (155)
June
80.6 (27)
4.7 (120)
July
80.6 (27)
6.1 (155)
August
80.6 (27)
8.9 (225)
September
80.6 (27)
8.1 (205)
October
78.8 (26)
4.7 (120)
November
73.4 (23)
2 (50)
December
69.8 (21)
.8 (20)
Phuket Weather: Average Temperature and Rainfall
Month
Phuket (South-west) avg temp ℉ (℃)
Phuket avg rainfall in (mm)
January
78.8 (26)
1.4 (35)
February
80.6 (27)
1.6 (40)
March
81.5 (27.5)
3 (75)
April
82.4 (28)
6.3 (160)
May
81.5 (27.5)
11.4 (290)
June
81.5 (27.5)
10.2 (260)
July
81.5 (26.5)
11 (280)
August
81.5 (26.5)
12.2 (310)
September
78.8 (26)
6.1 (410)
October
77.9 (25.5)
13.6 (345)
November
77.9 (25.5)
8.5 (215)
December
77 (25)
2.8 (70)
Best Time to Travel to Thailand for Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Scuba divers and snorkelers should visit Thailand's southernmost coast between November and February when there is less rainfall. With calmer waters and fewer guests, you'll have more time to enjoy the ocean.
When is the best time to visit Thailand for the best weather
Visit Thailand between November through March or even into April or May, when the country is at its driest, to enjoy the best weather. However, a notable exception is the Lower Gulf, which experiences its wettest months from October through December and is home to the idyllic islands of Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, and Ko Tao.
When is the best time to visit Thailand's beaches?
Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, the Similan Islands, and Krabi are best visited between November and March. To visit Koh Samui, Thailand's east coast, from January to March and July to September, is best.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
3 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
5 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
6 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.