Travelers often wonder about the perfect time to visit Thailand—whether for island hopping in the Andaman Sea, relaxing on Thailand’s beaches, or exploring the vibrant cities and traditional Thai culture. The dry season (considered high season) brings clear skies, dry weather, and good weather for Thailand trips, especially in northern Thailand, southern Thailand, and along the west coast.
During the summer months, fewer tourists and shoulder season prices make it appealing to explore Thailand’s northern regions, visit Phuket, or enjoy Khao Sok National Park with mild temperatures. On the east coast beaches like Koh Samui, the rainy season starts later, making it a great spot for fewer crowds and sunny days.
The winter months bring cooler temperatures—ideal for visiting temples in Chiang Mai or other northern regions, while the wettest months see heavy rains across parts of Southeast Asia. Whether you’re planning to visit Thailand’s beaches, take part in the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, or enjoy tropical sunshine and sunny skies all year round, knowing Thailand’s hot season and weather patterns can help you plan unforgettable Thailand trips.
Quick Highlights
| Season | Months | Temperature Range | Rainfall | Tourist Flow |
| Cool/Dry Season | Nov – Feb | 20–30°C | Low | Peak |
| Hot Season | Mar – Jun | 28–38°C | Moderate to High | Shoulder/Low |
| Rainy/Monsoon Season | May – Oct | 26–34°C | High | Low |
| Season | Months | Temperature Range | Rainfall |
Tourist Flow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cool/Dry Season | Nov – Feb | 20–30°C | Low | Peak |
| Hot Season | Mar – Jun | 28–38°C | Moderate to High |
Shoulder/Low |
| Rainy/Monsoon Season | May – Oct | 26–34°C | High |
Low |
Month-By-Month Breakdown
January
- Weather: Mild and cool in most regions (avg. 21–28°C). Best weather in the North (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai).
- Tourist Season: Peak season due to cool, dry conditions.
- Events/Festivals:
- New Year Celebrations nationwide
- Bo Sang Umbrella Festival (Chiang Mai)
- Children’s Day (second Saturday)
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season | Major Events |
| January | 21–28°C | Very low | Peak | New Year, Bo Sang Umbrella Festival |
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season |
Major Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21–28°C | Very low | Peak |
New Year, Bo Sang Umbrella Festival |
February
- Weather: Still cool and dry, especially in the North; South starts warming up.
- Tourist Season: Peak season continues.
- Events/Festivals:
- Chiang Mai Flower Festival
- Chinese New Year (varies)
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season | Major Events |
| February | 22–30°C | Low | Peak | Chiang Mai Flower Festival, Chinese New Year |
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season |
Major Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | 22–30°C | Low | Peak |
Chiang Mai Flower Festival, Chinese New Year |
March (Start of Hot Season)
- Weather: It begins; temperatures rise (avg. 28–35°C).
- Tourist Season: Transition from peak to shoulder season.
- Events/Festivals:
- Makha Bucha Day (Buddhist holiday)
- Thai National Elephant Day
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season | Major Events |
| March | 28–35°C | Moderate | Shoulder | Makha Bucha Day, Elephant Day |
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season |
Major Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 28–35°C | Moderate | Shoulder |
Makha Bucha Day, Elephant Day |
April (Hottest Month)
- Weather: Hottest month (avg. 30–38°C). Humid, occasional thunderstorms.
- Tourist Season: Low/Shoulder season (except during Songkran when tourism spikes).
- Events/Festivals:
- Songkran (Thai New Year, nationwide water festival) – mid-April
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season | Major Events |
| April | 30–38°C | Moderate | Low/Shoulder | Songkran Festival |
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season |
Major Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 30–38°C | Moderate | Low/Shoulder |
Songkran Festival |
May
- Weather: Hot and humid, start of monsoon in some regions (avg. 29–36°C).
- Tourist Season: Mostly low season.
- Events/Festivals:
- Rocket Festival (Isaan region)
- Visakha Bucha Day
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season | Major Events |
| May | 29–36°C | High | Low | Rocket Festival, Visakha Bucha |
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season |
Major Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | 29–36°C | High | Low |
Rocket Festival, Visakha Bucha |
June
- Weather: Rainy season begins (avg. 28–34°C). Showers mostly in the afternoon.
- Tourist Season: Low season.
- Events/Festivals:
- Phi Ta Khon (Ghost Festival in Loei)
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season | Major Events |
| June | 28–34°C | High | Low | Phi Ta Khon Festival |
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season |
Major Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 28–34°C | High | Low |
Phi Ta Khon Festival |
July
- Weather: Monsoon continues, heavy rain in most areas (avg. 27–33°C).
- Tourist Season: Low season.
- Events/Festivals:
- Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent)
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season | Major Events |
| July | 27–33°C | Very High | Low | Khao Phansa |
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season |
Major Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | 27–33°C | Very High | Low |
Khao Phansa |
August
- Weather: Rainiest month in many regions (avg. 27–32°C).
- Tourist Season: Low season.
- Events/Festivals:
- Queen Mother’s Birthday
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season | Major Events |
| August | 27–32°C | Very High | Low | Queen Mother’s Birthday |
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season |
Major Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | 27–32°C | Very High | Low |
Queen Mother’s Birthday |
September
- Weather: Still wet but rain begins to ease in late September (avg. 26–32°C).
- Tourist Season: Low season but prices lowest.
- Events/Festivals:
- Vegetarian Festival begins in late September/October (Phuket)
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season | Major Events |
| September | 26–32°C | High | Low | Vegetarian Festival (starts) |
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season |
Major Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 26–32°C | High | Low |
Vegetarian Festival (starts) |
October
- Weather: End of rainy season, cooler air returning (avg. 25–31°C).
- Tourist Season: Transition to shoulder/peak season late October.
- Events/Festivals:
- End of Buddhist Lent
- Awk Phansa
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season | Major Events |
| October | 25–31°C | Moderate |
Shoulder/Peak |
End of Buddhist Lent |
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season |
Major Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 25–31°C | Moderate | Shoulder/Peak |
End of Buddhist Lent |
November
- Weather: Cool and dry, one of the best months (avg. 23–30°C).
- Tourist Season: Peak season starts.
- Events/Festivals:
- Loy Krathong (lantern floating festival)
- Yi Peng Festival (Chiang Mai)
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season | Major Events |
| November | 23–30°C | Low | Peak | Loy Krathong, Yi Peng |
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season |
Major Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 23–30°C | Low | Peak |
Loy Krathong, Yi Peng |
December
- Weather: Cool and pleasant (avg. 20–28°C). Best for beaches and North.
- Tourist Season: Peak season.
- Events/Festivals:
- Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations nationwide
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season | Major Events |
| December | 20–28°C | Very Low | Peak | Christmas, New Year Eve |
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season |
Major Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | 20–28°C | Very Low | Peak |
Christmas, New Year Eve |
Quick-View Chart – Thailand by Month
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season | Short Description |
| January | 21–28°C | Very Low | Peak | Cool, festive, ideal for beaches and trekking |
| February | 22–30°C | Low | Peak | Flower festivals, Chinese New Year celebrations |
| March | 28–35°C | Moderate | Shoulder | Start of hot season, Buddhist traditions |
| April | 30–38°C | Moderate | Low/Shoulder | Hottest month, Songkran water fights |
| May | 29–36°C | High | Low | Early monsoon, budget-friendly travel |
| June | 28–34°C | High | Low | Lush countryside, Ghost Festival |
| July | 27–33°C | Very High | Low | Buddhist Lent, cultural ceremonies |
| August | 27–32°C | Very High | Low | Rainy but green, Gulf islands drier |
| September | 26–32°C | High | Low | Few tourists, Vegetarian Festival starts |
| October | 25–31°C | Moderate | Shoulder/Peak | End of monsoon, temple festivals |
| November | 23–30°C | Low | Peak | Lantern festivals, cool breezes |
| December | 20–28°C | Very low | Peak | Best weather, Christmas & New Year |
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Rainfall | Tourist Season |
Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21–28°C | Very low | Peak |
Cool, festive, ideal for beaches and trekking |
| February | 22–30°C | Low | Peak |
Flower festivals, Chinese New Year celebrations |
| March | 28–35°C | Moderate | Shoulder |
Start of hot season, Buddhist traditions |
| April | 30–38°C | Moderate | Low/Shoulder |
Hottest month, Songkran water fights |
| May | 29–36°C | High | Low |
Early monsoon, budget-friendly travel |
| June | 28–34°C | High | Low |
Lush countryside, Ghost Festival |
| July | 27–33°C | Very High | Low |
Buddhist Lent, cultural ceremonies |
| August | 27–32°C | Very High | Low |
Rainy but green, Gulf islands drier |
| September | 26–32°C | High | Low |
Few tourists, Vegetarian Festival starts |
| October | 25–31°C | Moderate | Shoulder/Peak |
End of monsoon, temple festivals |
| November | 23–30°C | Low | Peak |
Lantern festivals, cool breezes |
| December | 20–28°C | Very Low | Peak |
Best weather, Christmas & New Year |
People Also Ask
Q. When is the hot season in Thailand?
This season in Thailand typically runs from March to May, bringing sunny weather, tropical sunshine, and sunny skies. This is considered a peak season for travelers who want good weather for Thailand trips, island hopping, and enjoying Thailand’s beaches.
Q. How does the rainy season differ from the hot season?
The rainy season (or wet season) usually begins in June and lasts until October. During this time, heavy rains are common across southern Thailand, the west coast, and northern regions, although Koh Samui remain relatively dry until later when the rainy season starts there.
Q. What’s the best time to visit Thailand?
The cool weather start from November to February is widely regarded as the best time to visit Thailand, thanks to cooler temperatures, clear skies, and dry weather. This is also the high season, ideal for visiting temples, exploring vibrant cities like Chiang Mai, or relaxing at Thailand’s beaches.
Q. Are there benefits to traveling in the summer months?
Yes — the summer months (hot) mean fewer tourists in some areas and shoulder season pricing in others. This is a great time to explore Thailand, visit Khao Sok National Park, or take part in traditional Thai festivals like the Phuket Vegetarian Festival.
Q. How do east coast beaches compare with the west coast?
The Andaman Sea on the west coast is best enjoyed during the dry season (roughly November to April) with sunny days and clear skies. Meanwhile, east coast beaches such as Koh Samui and southern Thailand often have fewer crowds during the wet season, making them attractive even when heavy rain hits other regions.
Q. What are the distinct seasons in Thailand?
Thailand’s weather is divided into three main periods:
- Cool Season (Nov–Feb): Cool temperatures, mild temperatures, and dry weather—the best time to visit.
- Hot Season (Mar–May): Sunny skies, tropical sunshine, and great for Thailand’s beaches and island hopping.
- Wet Season (Jun–Oct): Heavy rains, wettest months, but also fewer tourists and lush landscapes across northern Thailand and southern Thailand.
Q. Can I travel year round in Thailand?
Absolutely. Thailand is a Southeast Asia destination with something for everyone year round. Thailand weather may vary, but you can always find sunny days, fewer crowds, or good weather depending on the region. For example, visiting temples in northern regions during the winter months offers cooler temperatures, while the east coast is great for island hopping when the west coast has heavy rains.
