Best Time To Visit Thailand

When is the best time to go to Thailand?

The best time to travel to Thailand is between late November and early April when there is little rain and lots of sun, but the temperature is cooler. For swimming and sunbathing on the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, January to April is ideal; for tours and visits, the best months are December, January, and February. Most of Thailand experiences a rainy season from July to October.

When is the Best Time to Visit Thailand?

Thailand is a great destination all year round, but the best time is usually between November and April. The climate varies between the east coast and the west coast. September brings the highest precipitation on the west coast, while the east coast receives the highest precipitation in November. Summer is from April to June and the rainy season is from July to October in most of Thailand.

Best time to visit Thailand in good weather: Being a tropical country, Thailand is warm all year round, with winters having average highs of 26-28ºC and summers 32-40ºC. The north and west have their rainy season from June to October and the east from November to March. The best weather is usually found in December, January, and February.

Best time to book hotels in Thailand: The best hotels in Thailand are booked early - especially for the Chinese New Year, Kin Jay Festival (vegetarian), and December and January. Try to book rooms at least 2 to 3 months in advance for the high season and about 1 to 2 months in advance for the low and mid seasons.

Best time to surf: The best time to surf in Thailand depends on whether you plan to go to the east coast or to the west. The surf is particularly good for beginners and long surfers because the waves are smaller (about 3 to 10 feet). April to October is the perfect time to surf on the west coast and from October to December on the east coast. However, many islands have very shallow coastal reefs in places, which can be dangerous below mid-tide.

Best time for snorkeling and swimming: Swimming and snorkeling are possible all year round in Thailand, except on days when there are thunderstorms during the rainy season. November to April is probably the best time, especially around the islands of the Andaman Sea.

Best time for hiking: The coolest months from October to February are best for the incredible hiking/trekking in Thailand. Although hiking can be done all year round, summers can get very hot here, so bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and mosquito repellant. It is advisable to start the hike early in the morning to overcome the heat of the afternoon.

Best time to watch whales and dolphins: the Gulf of Thailand, on the east coast, is the main place of residence for whales. Bryde's whales approach the coasts of Bangkok between September and December to feed on abundant anchovies. Irrawaddy (river) dolphins with a rounded front can also be seen splashing into the Chao Phraya River at this time.

Best time for fishing: You can fish in Thailand all year round, with different fish biting at different times around the big coast and off the islands. Fishing in the rainy season is ideal. Thailand is best known for its freshwater fish. Besides the common fish species, the native species such as the giant Mekong catfish, the Barramundi, the Siamese carp, and the giant snakehead are very popular. Fishing locations range from fishing parks to special stations, ponds, lakes, dams, and rivers.

Best time for discounts: book early and take flights midweek would benefit from the best discounts. Usually, the best rates for flights and hotels are during the rainy season. From March to May, September, and October, the rates are generally advantageous. The big annual sales in mega malls take place from mid-June to mid-August, which is actually a busy travel season.

Best time to avoid the crowds: the calmest months for tourists are April, May, September, and October. The end of August is also fairly calm, except for European travelers.

Best time for a destination wedding: With its tropical beaches and sunny weather, Thailand is an excellent wedding destination all year round, except during the high rainy season. The rains tend to fall in small gusts which dry quickly at the beginning and at the end of the monsoon. November to February is the best (and safest) time to get married on the west coast and June to September on the east coast.

Best time for inter-island cruises: September to December is the best time to spot whales on the sides of your ship, but November to January is also the most expensive time to visit. The beginning and end of the rainy season is the best time to get offers on cruises.

Best time to buy plane tickets: The prices of plane tickets depend on the season, festivals, events, and trade fairs. As a general rule, booking one to three months in advance offers the best rates, six weeks before giving the best offers. Exceptions are when booking for the Chinese New Year and December-January. For these periods, it is best to book as early as possible.

When To Visit Thailand

The Best Time to Visit Bangkok

Bangkok is a great metropolis to visit all year round, except in September and October, when the rains are the heaviest. However, November to February is an ideal time to visit because the rains have decreased and the weather is cooler (the average maximum temperature varies between 27 ° C and 29 ° C). 

Visiting during the rainy season is a good idea to get great deals on hotel rooms and take advantage of the many indoor activities that the city has to offer, in case it rains outside. The annual “Big Amazing Sale” takes place from mid-June to mid-August, and buyers can find incredible deals, including discounts of up to 80%, on clothing, electronics, jewelry, etc. 

April to June are the hottest months in the city, and July and August are the wettest; both periods saw thinner crowds and lower air and accommodation prices. 

The high season also coincides with New Year's Day and the Chinese New Year. The 9-day Kin Jay (vegetarian) festival in September / October is also very popular when all of Thailand observes the Chinese cleaning festival, and several stalls and restaurants have set up yellow flags to announce their participation by serving only vegan food.

The Best Time to Visit Phuket

The best time to visit Phuket is from November to April when the weather is cool and ideal for beach and water activities. The daily peaks of Phuket range from 31 ° C to 34 ° C all year round, warmer in summer and cooler in winter, but only slightly. May to October is the monsoon season, with hotels offering great rates, although the water can be dangerous at times of stormy weather, especially on the west coast. The east coast is relatively quieter throughout the year. 

December to March is the high season, with maximum occupancy and rates. The low season falls from May to October, when the humidity is very high, which results in low room rates. September to December is the best time to catch whales in the Gulf of Thailand, off the east coast of Phuket.

Best Time to Visit Chiang Mai

The peak tourist season in Chiang Mai is from December to January, so the months before and after, i.e. November and February, are the best months to visit the hill station to take advantage of the weather and avoid the crowds. The cool and pleasant weather is complemented by light breezes during these four months, which is perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities. The temperatures vary between 10 ° C and 30 ° C in winter. 

Chiang Mai has three seasons: summer (March to May), monsoon (June to October), and winter (November to February). Temperatures can go up to 40 ° C in summer, and it's very hot and humid. The monsoon months are slightly cooler, and short gusts of heavy rain can provide cool respite. 

However, the small crowd and the lush green vegetation freshly washed make it a pleasant moment to visit. Chiang Mai comes to life at Thai festivals, especially at the Flower Festival (first weekend in February), Songkran (mid-April), and Loi Krathong (usually in November).

Best Time to Visit Krabi

Krabi is located in the south of Thailand and offers exceptional natural beauty: national parks, virgin beaches, islands accessible only by boat, and relatively less frequent commercial tourism. November to March is the best time to visit Krabi, with the monsoon which has just ended, and the summer about to set in. The temperatures vary between 22 ° C and 32 ° C. 

Unlike the rest of Thailand, Krabi has a more tropical climate which can be described as dry (December to April) or rainy (May to November), with the most precipitation high occurring in September and October. 

Compared to most places in Thailand, summers are not that hot in Krabi, with the highest average temperature rarely crossing 32 ° C. Traveling during the rainy season can be a shock absorber with heavy showers, or one can get lucky and spend a sunny day with cheap prices and an entire island for themselves. November to April is also a great time for water sports like windsurfing, kite surfing, and wakeboarding, while scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming can be enjoyed year-round when the waters are calm.

Thailand Travel Seasons

High season (November-April): from the end of November to the beginning of April is Thailand's high season, especially around the Christmas holidays, the New Year, and the Chinese New Year. Flights and hotels are generally the most expensive. Hotels generally have more stringent stay, deposit, and cancellation policies during this vacation. It is best to plan and book early to travel in the high season.

Shoulder season (April-May and September-October): The two periods of the shoulder season are an excellent time to visit Thailand when the monsoon has just settled or left and the temperature is not very hot. Prices are lower and beaches and attractions are less crowded. The occasional short or heavy shower will cool the temperature, although the water is out of range in stormy weather. It is also the perfect time to go surfing or diving on the west coast of Thailand.

Low season (May to September): summer in Thailand is very hot and humid (temperatures can go up to 45 ° C), but it's still the perfect time to enjoy the wide selection of indoor activities that the country has to offer. During the rainy season, it can rain almost every day and the afternoons can become almost intolerable in summer. Stormy weather can also hinder diving, surfing, and other nautical activities.

However, it is very cheap to travel during this period, reservations can be made at the last minute, and prices can even be negotiated at the hotel on arrival. Empty beaches and public attractions allow tourists to spend a quieter vacation.