Best time to visit Thailand
Thailand’s tropical climate means it can be visited year round, but do plan your route according to the weather.
You can still vacation here during the rainy season, but more remote areas may become inaccessible. Sun seekers should also be aware that southern Thailand experiences monsoons – although the good news is that the seasons are staggered on the east and west coasts, so as long as you do your research you’ll find a sunny beach somewhere.
In general, the best time to visit Thailand is from November-February. It’s dry but not too hot, and you’ll be more likely to catch one of Thailand’s many vibrant festivals.
In general, the best time to visit Thailand is from November-February. It’s dry but not too hot, and you’ll be more likely to catch one of Thailand’s many vibrant festivals.
Bangkok Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
21
32
8
FEB
23
33
21
MAR
25
34
31
APR
26
35
68
MAY
26
34
182
JUN
26
33
159
JUL
25
33
167
AUG
25
32
207
SEP
25
32
292
OCT
24
32
199
NOV
23
32
49
DEC
21
31
11
Our Thailand Vacations
Northern Thailand and Laos cultural vacation
Explore remote northern Thailand and northern Laos
From
US $2500 to US $2550
11 days
ex flights
Thailand family vacation, tailor made
Activity packed family vacation in the land of smiles.
From
£7800 to £12500
13 days
ex flights
Highlights of Thailand vacation
Bangkok, Northern Thailand, Khao Sok National Park & Phuket
From
£2450
12 days
ex flights
Thailand family vacation
Express tour of northern Thailand
From
US $1313 to US $1850
12 days
ex flights
Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City
Thailand to Southern Vietnam via Angkor Wat
From
US $816 to US $1110
9 days
ex flights
Cycling vacation to Indochina and Angkor Wat
Cross three countries with contrasting recent histories
From
US $2749 to US $3149
14 days
ex flights
Thailand small ship cruise
Encounter perfect beaches and small village life in Thailand
From
US $2464 to US $3520
9 days
ex flights
Southern Thailand vacation, tailor made
An idyllic combination of relaxation and tropical adventure
From
£2000 to £2500
8 days
ex flights
Indochina vacation adventure
Laos and Cambodia; Luang Prabang, the Plain of Jars & Angkor
From
US $2400 to US $2500
16 days
ex flights
Thailand adventure vacation, self drive Tuk Tuk
A Tuk Tuk Adventure in the stunning mountains of Thailand
From
£1295 to £1595
11 days
ex flights
Family elephant refuge volunteering in Thailand
Family elephant refuge volunteering in Thailand
From
£739
7 days
ex flights
Northern Thailand and hill tribes tour
From gleaming highrises to the remote Thailand's hills
From
US $480 to US $639
8 days
ex flights
Thailand family vacation
A fabulous family vacation including the best of Thailand
From
£2200 to £3125
15 days
ex flights
Family tour to Cambodia and Thailand
Ruined Cities and Tropical Islands, 2-week Family Tour
From
US $2050
12 days
ex flights
Thailand activity vacation
Cycle trek and kayak in Thailand
From
US $1400 to US $1899
14 days
ex flights
Thailand, Vietnam & Laos vacation
Some of Asia’s most remote but spectacular regions
From
US $2675
22 days
ex flights
North Thailand group vacation, a food adventure
Experience the freshness, tanginess and spiciness of Thailand
From
US $1096 to US $1490
8 days
ex flights
Indochina tours
An awesome adventure Cambodia Laos Thailand & Vietnam
From
US $3591 to US $4845
30 days
ex flights
Indochina overland tours
Discover the heart and soul of Indochina
From
US $2499 to US $2549
30 days
ex flights
Bangkok to Singapore small group tours
Small group adventure tour in Malaysia, Singapore & Thailand
From
US $1040 to US $1349
14 days
ex flights
Indochina overland vacation
The ultimate discovery of South East Asia
From
US $3649 to US $4249
28 days
inc UK flights
Thailand beach tour, West Coast
Clear waters, white sands, swaying palms & a beach bungalow
From
US $1169 to US $1525
9 days
ex flights
Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, Mekong adventure
Bangkok, Luang Prabang, Phonsavan, Siem Reap & Phnom Penh
From
£3250
14 days
ex flights
Indochina tour, small group
Experience the diversity of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
From
US $1772 to US $2250
26 days
ex flights
Thailand tailor made vacation, history & culture
Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai & North Thailand
From
£2750
13 days
ex flights
Thailand tour, mountains & rainforests
From Bangkok back-streets to Andaman Sea islands
From
US $1930
13 days
ex flights
Indochina vacation, Hanoi to Bangkok via Angkor
Awesome adventure through Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand
From
US $1504 to US $1910
22 days
ex flights
Family volunteering in Thailand
Family wildlife sanctuary volunteering in Thailand
From
£739
7 days
ex flights
Laos tailor made vacation, culture & adventure
Explore Pakbeng, Luang Prabang, Phonsavan, Viantiane & Pakse
From
£2800
13 days
ex flights
When to visit Thailand & when not to
Best time to visit Thailand
Lesley Schofield, from our supplier All Points East, shares her best time to visit Thailand:
“I like going in the rainy season from May to September. It's quieter, you haven’t got enormous coach parties, and it’s almost unheard of that it would rain for days on end. You do need to avoid the Andaman Coast as that’s affected by monsoons – but you can go to the Gulf of Thailand instead. There are nice islands there, and they’re much, much quieter – whereas on Koh Phi Phi on a Thai public vacation in November you can’t move! Also, when the rain falls it freshens everything up. Towards the end of the dry season, people get really frustrated. The fields want water, the people are getting fed up with the heat. In the rainy season, everyone’s happier!”
“I like going in the rainy season from May to September. It's quieter, you haven’t got enormous coach parties, and it’s almost unheard of that it would rain for days on end. You do need to avoid the Andaman Coast as that’s affected by monsoons – but you can go to the Gulf of Thailand instead. There are nice islands there, and they’re much, much quieter – whereas on Koh Phi Phi on a Thai public vacation in November you can’t move! Also, when the rain falls it freshens everything up. Towards the end of the dry season, people get really frustrated. The fields want water, the people are getting fed up with the heat. In the rainy season, everyone’s happier!”
Our culture pick: Festival of Light
Not all of Thailand’s festivals are wildly hedonistic. The Festival of Light - Loi Krathong – is held to give thanks to the Water Goddess each November. Lotus-shaped craft, draped with flowers and candles, float down the rivers in Sukothai and Chiang Mai in this beautiful, spiritual celebration.Our top Thailand Vacation
Northern Thailand and Laos cultural vacation
Explore remote northern Thailand and northern Laos
From
US $2500 to US $2550
11 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 25 Aug, 2 Oct, 25 Oct, 17 Nov, 18 Dec
2020: 12 Jan, 8 Feb, 7 Mar, 4 Apr, 2 May, 27 May, 21 Jun, 18 Jul, 15 Aug, 15 Sep, 15 Oct, 16 Nov, 17 Dec
2019: 25 Aug, 2 Oct, 25 Oct, 17 Nov, 18 Dec
2020: 12 Jan, 8 Feb, 7 Mar, 4 Apr, 2 May, 27 May, 21 Jun, 18 Jul, 15 Aug, 15 Sep, 15 Oct, 16 Nov, 17 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Thailand or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Festivals & events
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Each year on the first weekend of February, Chiang Mai is a riot of colour with flower beds in full bloom, flower vendors setting up shop across the town, and – on the Saturday – the Flower Festival Parade. There are decorated floats, hill tribes in a rainbow of costumes and traditional dancing and music.
Ngan bun bang fai
The Fire Rocket Festival - is a Buddhist event celebrated by the ethnic Lao people of northeastern Thailand at the beginning of the rainy season in May. Elaborately decorated rockets are paraded on oxcarts and floats, leading up to the competition on Sunday, where rockets compete on height, distance and beauty of vapour trails.
Thai New Year
Called songkran - is celebrated countrywide from 13th-15th April, with the biggest festivities in Chiang Mai. Appropriately for the hottest time of year, water throwing – often ice-cold – is popular, and you may get smeared with talc as a blessing. Elders are honoured, and there are music and dance performances.
More about Thailand
Our Thailand travel guide reveals the lesser visited side of this hugely popular destination.
Our suggested Thailand itineraries and interactive map help you choose where to go in Thailand - whether you're after activity or relaxation, culture or nature, big sights or off the beaten track adventure.
Things to do in Thailand stretch far beyond sipping cocktails on beaches and hanging out at all night raves.
If you’ve heard of hill tribes in Thailand and want to know more about how to visit them in the most responsible way then trekking might well be the answer.
If you’ve ever had a ride in a tuk tuk on the streets of Bangkok then you might be slightly reticent to embark on a self drive tour.
If you’re visiting Thailand for the first time it’s a good idea to get to know some of the cultural customs first just to help you travel with more confidence.
Although life can be all about the beach in Thailand we think it’s worth checking out other local locations, too, rather than just hanging out in a hammock all day, every day.
Check out our top 10 Thai dishes that will take you into sweet, salty and zesty-sour ecstasy as well as providing inspiration for your next foray to Bangkok, and beyond.
Bangkok can be a magical place as well as absolutely mind-blowing if you’re not prepared for the whirlwind that awaits.
Across Southeast Asia, Thailand has to be the best set up for families, with a great infrastructure, welcoming hotels and beachside cabins, thrilling markets and that infectious Thai smile.
If you're looking for Thailand travel advice from local experts then your search is going to be a lot shorter than finding that elusive deserted beach.
It's a heavenly destination for most - but not everything is paradisiacal.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: SasinTipchai] [Intro:
Andrzej Suwara]
[
Lesley Schofield advice: Stefan Kunze]
[Chiang Mai Flower Festival: John Shedrick]
[Ngan bun bang fai: Takeaway]
[Thai New Year (Songkran): Takeaway]
Back to the top
- Recently viewed
