With sweeping beaches and lush landscapes combined with ancient architecture, Thailand has something for everyone and is a no-brainer when it comes to dream holiday spots. But when’s the best time of year to make the most of everything the country and its island has to offer? You don’t want to book a beach trip in a monsoon, nor do you want to take to the jungles in sweltering heat. With hot, cool and rainy seasons, it can be hard to work out when is right for you so we’ve put together our informative guide on the best time to visit Thailand.
November to March
This period might be known as the ‘cool’ season but there’s nothing chilly about it! The most popular time of year to visit Thailand, you can expect hot, but not too hot, days that are ideal for exploring the country’s myriad picture perfect beaches. The only exception to the rule are the west coast beaches in November when there’s still a little bit of rain, although the sunshine resumes from then on out. In fact, this is a great time of year to do almost anything as the entire country experiences blissful sunny days – perfect if you want to explore across the country. Our Best of Thailand from North to South trip will have you jetting from Bangkok, up to the north and then island hopping in the south. There might be some showers but they’ll be of the tropical variety and over before you know it, so you can head back out onto the beach, Singha in hand.
It’s not just the weather to consider in Thailand and this is also an excellent time of year to experience some of the country’s incredible festivals. There’s Yi Peng and Loy Krathong, the mesmerising lantern festivals, as well as the Lopburi Monkey Festival in November, the Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February and Chinese New Year in February or March (calendar dependent).
The only spot we’d say to avoid at this time would be Chiang Mai in March as there’s a burning season (where farmers annually burn their fields), which causes the air to be very smoky.
April to June
This is where things really start to heat up, so lovers of the cooler temperatures proceed with caution! But, as long as you know what you’re getting into (and you only book spots with aircon – vital!) then it’s actually a great time of year to travel. This is Thailand’s shoulder season so visitors are thinner on the ground, meaning less crowds for you, and it’s a good time to escape school holiday travel. April is especially lovely as it hasn’t quite reached the high temperatures you’ll find in May and June, but you’ll still benefit from quieter hotspots and hotels, and missing the queues.
Another great drawcard for travelling at this time of year is the abundance of wonderful festivals and cultural events. April heralds the beginning of the Thai New Year (Songkran) and with it comes a plethora of celebrations. Don’t be surprised to see water fights in the streets! Public and religious holidays pepper May so after checking what’s going on and avoiding any closures, it’s a wonderful time to experience the cultural festivities.
The shoulder season is a great time to explore Thailand’s coasts without the crowds and our Explore the rainforests & beaches of Thailand trip is an excellent way to do just that. You’ll travel down from the bustle of Bangkok to the wild beauty that is Khao Sok National Park before heading to the beaches of Khao Lak.
July to October – the rainy season
With all that tropical heat and humidity building you know a rainy season had to come at some point. July sees the rains starting but there are still dry spells throughout the day, making it a good for those who enjoy the cooler weather or don’t mind taking a bit of a risk with the rain. Saying that, August and September are generally the wettest months across the country and are really best avoided – beach resorts close and the monsoon weather makes activities miserable or worse, impossible. By October, the rain is starting to ease in north and central Thailand and travel becomes feasible again. If you’re not fussed by beaches and want to explore the north’s history and culture this is an ideal time as the weather is neither too hot or too wet.
Our Discover Thailand’s history trip is ideal for culture vultures and will lead you through the country’s major historical hotspots, showcasing ancient temples and royal monuments as you go.
