What's the best time to visit Thailand?
The best time to check out Thailand is between November and March when the weather’s cooler and drier, perfect for hitting the beach, diving into water sports, and catching cool festivals like Yi Peng and Loy Krathong. It’s also the prime time to explore the cooler Thai highlands, just remember to pack a sweater for the evenings!
Thailand is one of the most visited countries in Asia and in the world. From stunning nature to delicious food, it has so much to offer visitors. Thailand has stunning beaches including the island of Koh Phi Phi, Krabi province, and the resort town of Phuket.
Be sure to visit the interior, with ancient cities such as Ayutthaya and lush landscapes. Of course, no trip to Thailand is complete without a stop in bustling modern Bangkok, famous for its street food and nightlife.
Thailand has something for everyone, but the weather can get wild in some seasons. Below, we’ll show you the best, least busy, cheapest, and worst times to go to ensure you make the most of your trip; let us be your guide!
Overall Best Time to Visit Thailand
Travel Mania/Shutterstock
The best time to visit Thailand is from November to March, which is the country’s dry season and when you have the highest chances of having good weather.
Thailand has a tropical climate according to typical climate classifications published by the World Bank. It has consistently hot temperatures all year round.
Average daily high temperatures from June to February range from 30-32 degrees Celsius (86-90 degrees Fahrenheit). Some regions, such as the mountainous north, can get colder. The main seasonal differentiations are based on precipitation.
Like other Southeast Asian countries, Thailand is affected by the monsoon season. November to March is the northeast monsoon season, which brings cooler air and drier weather from China to most of Thailand (except for the southeast).
While it still rains, it is far less rainy than during the other season. The relatively dry weather means that you can do all sorts of outdoor activities without worrying about getting caught in a downpour.
This is a great time to go lounge on the beach on the Andaman shore and work on your tan (Koh Samui and nearby islands are actually in their wet season still but dry out after January).
Thanks to the clearer weather, this is also the best time for snorkeling since there is no runoff clouding the water. Along the West Coast/Andaman Shore, this is also the best time for scuba diving according to PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors) thanks to the clearer waters.
If you want to dive with manta rays, this is a good time to go. The dry season is also the best time for visiting inland parts of Thailand. Exploring the country’s cities is a lot more pleasant when you’re not getting caught in a downpour.
The beginning of the dry season (November-January) is the best time to explore Bangkok because temperatures are cooler and humidity levels are more manageable.
If you want to get away from the typical tourist route and head to the Thai highlands, then you definitely should visit during the dry season. Heavy rains can make roads and trails in remote regions a muddy mess.
Just make sure to bundle up since it can get chilly in the highlands during the dry season, especially at night. Visiting from November-March is also a good idea because this is the peak festival season.
You can catch many traditional cultural events such as:
- Yi Peng (Chiang Mai lantern festival, November)
- Loy Krathong (Thai festival releasing illuminated offerings on the rivers, November)
- Chinese New Year (January/February)
- Chiang Mai Flower Festival (February)
Cheapest Time to Visit Thailand
Serenity-H/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit Thailand is during the low season, from July to September, when outside of a few beach resorts there are few visitors. July to September coincides with the worst of the monsoon season, with heavy rains and high humidity throughout the country.
Although there are some students using their summer break to camp out on the beaches in Thailand, the demand from tourists is much lower than during other parts of the year.
That means hotel prices also go down during this time. You can get great deals on accommodation pretty much anywhere in the country. Hotels in Chiang Mai offer discounts of 18-30% during this time.
In Phuket, normally a very popular tourist destination, you can find 20-35% discounts during the rainy season.
Throughout the low and shoulder seasons, from May to October, you can also find discounted flights to Thailand. The least expensive rates tend to be in September to October.
Least Busy Time to Visit Thailand
CHINATOWN, BANGKOK – 9 AUG: Morning traffic at Yaowarat road, the main street of Chinatown in Bangkok on August 9, 2017. Chinatown is one of the famous landmark in Bangkok/Artapartment/Shutterstock
The least busy time to visit Thailand is during the shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October. The first shoulder season, April-May, is the best for beating the crowds in Bangkok and a few other Thai cities.
April is the Thai New Year, or Songkran. During this time, Thai kids get about two weeks off from school, one of their longest breaks, so many families head out of the hot, humid cities for beaches and other vacation spots.
While the beaches are crowded, the cities are nearly empty, including famously crowded Bangkok. This is a good time to visit Thailand’s cities or other inland destinations and beat the crowds. Just keep in mind that this is the hottest time to visit Thailand, so expect your city break to be sweaty.
To beat the crowds at the beach, the best time to visit is in September and October. September is the peak of monsoon season, which drives away many potential visitors, but by October things are starting to dry out already.
Some of the islands such as Koh Samui actually have rainy seasons that start later, so the weather in September and October is fairly dry and sunny, with the occasional shower.
Worst Time to Visit Thailand
Noi1990/Shutterstock
The worst time to visit Thailand is during the peak of the rainy season, from July to September, when torrential downpours are common throughout the country.
Thailand’s rainy season is dictated by the southwest monsoon season, which runs from May to October. The monsoon season peaks in August and September, when most of the country is walloped by heavy rain.
Those who haven’t been to a tropical climate before may wonder what’s wrong with a little rain, but monsoons often bring heavy downpours that make it impossible to go anywhere for the entire day.
There is regular flooding in Bangkok and other areas near rivers during monsoon season (although as storms get more severe due to climate change, flooding can happen all year round).
Not all of Thailand is affected by this monsoon season, so if you want to avoid the rain altogether, choose your itinerary carefully. Southern Thailand and the islands off the east coast such as Koh Samui get more rain during the northeastern monsoon season which starts in November, so this is a good time to visit that region.
There are some benefits to visiting during the peak of monsoon season, such as lush greenery, full waterfalls, and much lower prices.
Some days are even relatively dry, with just a short sporadic shower. Just be aware that you are taking a bit of a gamble with the weather if you visit during this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chiang Mai, Thailand – August 27, 2016: Tourists choose food at the Saturday Night Market on August 27, 2016 in Chiang Mai, Thailand/Elena Ermakova/Shutterstock
These commonly asked questions can help you pick the best time to visit Thailand:
What is the best month to go to Thailand?
The best month to go to Thailand is February, which has dry weather in all of the country, but temperatures aren’t too high yet.
What is the worst month to visit Thailand?
The worst month to visit Thailand is August, which has heavy rains due to the monsoon season but still has some crowds due to summer vacation.
When is the rainy season in Thailand?
Most of Thailand has its rainy season from May to October, except for the southeast including Koh Samui, whose rainy season runs from November to January.
When is the least expensive time to go to Thailand?
The least expensive time to go to Thailand is from July to October, when you can find low-season discounts. Thailand is a fairly affordable destination all year round.
When is the best time to visit Phuket?
The best time to visit Phuket is from November to April, which is the dry season on the island. Expect bigger crowds, but that’s a plus since the nightlife scene is at its best.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Thailand?
The best time to visit Thailand is during the dry season, which starts in November and lasts until April. This is the best weather for lounging on the beach, trekking, and exploring cities without getting wet.
So, with so much to see and do and plenty of amazing times to visit, what are you waiting for — book your trip today and experience for yourself all that Thailand has to offer. Happy travels!