The Best Time to Visit Thailand

Edited by: Bhawna Nijhawan

Summary :-  It is important to know when is the best time to visit Thailand. In order to enjoy a trip to this beautiful country, you want to make sure you’re traveling during the right time; avoiding the scorching heat and the monsoon rains.

There is always a right time for everything, and this applies when planning a trip to Thailand. Although Thailand is picturesque throughout the year, there is the best time to visit the country. There is a dramatic variation in weather throughout the year, and crowds and prices fluctuate accordingly. If you go to Thailand, you’d want to avoid the monsoon rains and sweltering heat.

Do you want to know what’s the best time to visit Thailand? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking to chill by the beach or party in Thailand, let me tell you when is the best time to visit Thailand.

Visiting Thailand During Dry & Wet Season

In Thailand, there are two distinct seasons: wet and dry. There’s no doubt that the dry season i.e. November to March is the best time to visit Thailand. Even though the weather between April and June is also drier, Thailand experiences extremely hot temperatures during this time which I personally do not like. Thailand’s wet season runs from June to October. Both the wet and dry seasons have their own advantages and disadvantages. 

Dry Season

November to March is Thailand’s dry season, which is the best time to visit in my opinion. The temperature ranges between 28°C and 34°C during these months, and the sun shines on average for nine hours throughout the day, making those months the best months for vacations. It’s the perfect season for people who want to enjoy every moment of their trip and wants to visit different beaches, islands, national parks, temples, landscapes, etc.

Advantages:

• Dry and warm weather
• Very little chance of rain
• 28°C to 34°C temperatures
• Sunshine for at least 9 hours 
• Stunning landscapes 

Disadvantages: 

• Large crowd size
• Rates often inflated 

Wet Season

June to October is Thailand’s wet season. I would say July to September are the wettest months. Monsoon rains in Thailand can be as mild as an afternoon shower or as severe as a flood. In my experience, most rains are short (but heavy!). Compared to the dry season, the wet season is much more unpredictable. There may be floods in some areas, and boats may not be able to reach some islands due to stormy weather. Some of the tourist attractions remain closed and as a result, there are fewer crowds and hotel prices are lower. However, the wet season can be a good time to visit Thailand if you want to avoid crowds or if you are on a tight budget.

Advantages:

• The weather is cooler
• The crowd size is small
• Prices are lower

Disadvantages: 

• Likely to rain every day
• Some tourist attractions may be closed

Best Time to Visit in Thailand: A Month-by-Month Guide

Let me take you through Thailand’s weather month-by-month. This guide will be helpful to you if you are planning a trip to Thailand and already have some dates in mind.

Thailand in January

Thailand’s weather in January is dry with very little to no rain. There is cooler weather in the north and glorious sunshine on the beaches in the west. If you want to explore the city or take a vacation on the beach, January offers excellent weather conditions.

• Average temperature in January: 26°C to 31°C 
• Key festival during January: Chinese New Year 

Thailand in February

February is also a nice, warm, and dry month in Thailand. It’s less crowded than December and January, so it’s a good time to travel. This month is perfect for all kinds of water activities as the weather is ideal. I went to Thailand with my family in February and it was great.

• Average temperature in February: 29°C to 32°C 
• Key festival during February: Chiang Mai Flower Festival

Thailand in March

March is still a great month to visit Thailand, especially in the first half of the month. The weather is hot and dry with hardly any rainfall. The pleasant weather makes it easy to visit anywhere, from beaches to boat rides to night markets. 

• Average temperature in March: 32°C to 35°C 
• Key festival during March: Kite flying festival

Thailand in April

In Thailand, April is the hottest month, but it is still one of the most popular months. There is a hot, dry climate and the main tourist season starts slowing down. Hence, you can take advantage of the best prices and availability during April. 

• Average temperature in April: 33°C to 36°C 
• Key festival during April: Songkran Festival

Thailand in May

Thailand begins its rainy season in May, but it is still hot and humid with very less rainfall. As the main tourist season has passed in Thailand, the crowd is lesser due to hot & humid weather. I would suggest you stick to the east coast if you are going in May since the weather is still pleasant there.

• Average temperature in May: 32°C to 35°C 
• Key festival during May: Rocket Festival

Thailand in June

Thailand is usually rainy in June. As far as I know, the rain usually lasts only a few hours so you can still plan your trip in June, however you may have trouble exploring Thailand if it’s raining. The prices are pretty lower in this month, so you can visit in June if you are on a tight budget. 

• Average temperature in June: 30°C to 34°C 
• Key festival during June: Chanthaburi Fruit Festival

Thailand in July

There is heavy rainfall and turbulent waves in July. Wind and rain become more frequent toward the end of the month, which causes temperatures to drop a little. However, the east coast of Thailand experiences fewer showers and has relatively better weather, so you can visit there if you are planning to go in July.

• Average temperature in July: 25°C to 30°C 
• Key festival during July: Khao Phansa Festival

Thailand in August

The weather in August is similar to that in July, with some brief rain every day. Due to the off-season, it can be a cost-effective time to visit in August. There is very less crowds on Thailand’s beaches in August, making it a peaceful time to visit too.  

• Average temperature in August: 26°C to 32°C 
• Key festival during August: H.M. Queen’s Birthday

Thailand in September

August was wet, but September is even wetter! If you’re planning on spending the majority of your time on the beach, then September isn’t the right month for you. Maybe you can consider visiting Thailand in September if the rain doesn’t bother you and you don’t mind staying indoors. However, I would not recommend visiting Thailand in September.

• Average temperature in September: 25°C to 30°C 
• Key festival during September: H.M. Queen’s Birthday

Thailand in October

There’s still a lot of rain in Thailand in October, except in Northern Thailand where it is moderate. The monsoon season ends in most parts of Thailand by the end of October with lower temperatures and less rainfall. Hence, plan a trip to Thailand only towards the end of October.

• Average temperature in October: 24°C to 29°C 
• Key festival during October: The Vegetarian Festival

Thailand in November

The cool, dry season begins in November, and Thailand welcomes tourists back. There are perfect beaches and lush landscapes this month. There is little to no rainfall, so you can venture out without fear of getting soaked. This is the beginning of the peak tourist season, so expect an inflated price.

• Average temperature in November: 25°C to 30°C 
• Key festival during November: Loi Krathong Festival

Thailand in December

Christmas and New Year bring a large number of tourists to Thailand in December. Moreover, the weather is excellent. Make sure to book as early as you can if you’re planning a trip to Thailand in December. In most cases, popular hotels are fully booked three to six months in advance. I’d love to go to Thailand in December to enjoy the Christmas holidays.

• Average temperature in December: 23°C to 29°C 
• Key festival during December: Chiang Mai Red Cross & Winter Fair

Also Read: Best Tourist Places to Visit in Thailand

The Worst Time to Visit Thailand

Thailand usually experiences its wet season between June and October. There is a lot of rain and floods during this time, which makes it difficult to explore the city. Landslides and other natural disasters are also more likely during these months. My personal opinion is that the wet season (June to October) is the absolute worst time to visit Thailand. However, some people may find that the monsoon season provides much-needed relief from the heat. In addition, you may be able to find cheaper rates on everything during this off-season. There are also some people who don’t like hot, humid weather at all, so April to June can be the worst time for them. I think, in the end, it just comes down to personal preference.

Conclusion

From breathtaking beaches to busy night markets, Thailand has it all, and you’ll have a wonderful time here. However, traveling to Thailand at the right time can make a huge difference to your overall experience. November to March is generally the best time to visit Thailand. These months are warm and sunny, especially on the beaches, and there is little chance of rain. Especially in December, you’ll see a lot of crowds. As it is a peak tourist season for tourists, hotels and resorts are almost always booked well in advance. If you don’t plan ahead, it will be difficult to find affordable accommodation in Thailand. 

FAQs 

Which is the best time to travel to Thailand?

The best time to travel to Thailand is from November to March as the weather is cool and dry. In these months, the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy outdoor activities of all kinds. If you don’t plan ahead, you’ll have trouble booking hotels & resorts, since Thailand is at its best during this period.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Thailand?

Flying to Thailand is the cheapest between June and October. Thailand experiences heavy rainfall during these months, and hence the tourist season starts slowing down. Because of this, the prices are lower and there are fewer crowds. If you want to avoid crowds and are on a tight budget, June to October can be the cheapest months to visit Thailand.

Which is the worst time to travel to Thailand?

The wet season is one of the worst times to travel to Thailand. There is a lot of rain during this time, which makes it difficult to explore the city. So, if you don’t like rain, June to October is the worst time. Also, if you don’t like humid & hot weather, April to June can be the worst time to go. It’s all about personal preference.