Best Time to Visit Thailand According to Weather, Festivals, and More

Sawadee ka! If you've been craving delicious mango sticky rice, refreshing Thai iced tea, and authentic Pad Thai, you've come to the right place. More than just their fragrant and drool-worthy food, Thailand is where you can have it all! The fast-paced hustle and bustle of city centres, going on an island hopping getaway, low to high-end malls for every shopaholic, IG-worthy cafes, and possibly one of the best massages of your life? Sign us up. But wait, just like all travels, a little research is needed before you book a trip to the Land of Smiles.

Generally speaking, like most countries in Southeast Asia, it'll be warm and humid all year round, especially if you're used to snowy winter months. In Thailand, there are two distinct seasons to watch out for: dry and wet. Thailand's dry season, otherwise known as peak season, is from November to early March when you can experience cooler temperatures during the dry months. Meanwhile, the rainy season starts at the end of May until mid-October. Need more details? Save yourself from opening another tab! We've compiled all there is to know about this captivating country and what goes on every month—from festivals to Thailand's weather, holidays, and more! Read on to find the best times to visit Thailand according to your itinerary.

With average temperatures ranging from low 20-30 degrees Celsius, this is one of the best times to visit Thailand if you're after great weather. Since January falls within peak season months, Bangkok may still be a little crowded with tourists. Nevertheless, this is the most pleasant weather for you to be out and about this lively city.

Looking for something cooler? No, literally! Just a little over an hour's flight away is Chiang Mai, a mountainous province located in northern Thailand. At this time, temperatures range from a low of 14 degrees Celsius to a high of 27 degrees! This is the perfect place for outdoor activities like driving an ATV across the countryside, climbing up the Sticky Waterfalls, and much more. Not only that, Chiang Mai also welcomes those looking to escape and indulge in relaxation. Treat yourself to the ultimate pamper sesh at the multi-awarded Fah Lanna Spa because you deserve it! Check out this more detailed guide on the exciting things to do while you're in Chiang Mai.

February marks the end of chilly Thailand weather. Which means only one thing: it's beach time. On the west coast of southern Thailand, you'll find the iconic Phi Phi Islands. This archipelago, located in the middle of the Andaman Sea, is a paradise for scuba divers and those who love snorkelling and island hopping. It's famous for its limestone mountain cliffs, rich marine life, caves, and pristine white sandy beaches. Meanwhile, over on Thailand's east coast is Krabi Island. This picturesque province is less crowded than Phi Phi but offers similar natural beauty. You can take a dip in their hot springs or count your steps up the Tiger Cave Temple. But at the end of the day, whether east or west, Southern Thailand's beaches are one of the best.

Another thing to look forward to aside from frolicking at the beach with sunny weather is the Chiang Mai Flower Festival. This three-day celebration has become a popular tourist attraction over the years as the charming province is adorned with vibrant and fresh flowers. Expect a parade of floral floats complete with a marching band as locals don traditional costumes. As the sun goes down, the beauty pageant starts and a contestant is crowned Miss Chiang Mai. Lastly, the community holds cultural performances and exhibitions to cap off the Festival.

Phew, is it getting hot in here, or is it just you? Jokes aside, expect clear skies, guaranteed sunshine, and dry weather at this time because summer is what beach holidays are made for! This hot season is the perfect excuse to head to hillier areas like Phuket or Koh Samui, where you can still experience cooler temperatures as Bangkok turns up the heat. Phuket has more variety when it comes to beaches, activities, accommodations, and malls, which is why we recommend going here if this is a family vacation.

On the other hand, Koh Samui is where you can have a more intimate holiday with your loved one. With fewer shopping malls and crowds, more street vendors, and calmer waters, this place is more laid-back and isn't as commercialised as Phuket. Don't get us wrong; both islands are equally stunning! We recommend making your decision based on preference and company.

Expect temperatures to soar to the high 30s during the hottest month of the year. Despite the humidity, April is arguably one of the most exciting times to visit the country because of the Songkran festival! This is when the locals have fun as they splash water on each other to celebrate the Buddhist New Year every early April from the 13th to the 15th, to be exact! Because what better way to beat the heat on sunny days than with a three-day water fight?

If you're going to Phuket this month, take this as an opportunity to go to their first ethical elephant sanctuary to connect with retired working gentle giants. Observe them as they freely roam around a 30-acre jungle and hear the touching rescue stories behind each one.

Feel droplets start to trickle as we make our way to the wet season by the end of May. Til then, sneak a trip to Thailand's best-kept secret: Koh Phayam! With minimal tourists, enjoy slow island living just like how the locals do on this kangaroo-shaped island found on the west coast of the Andaman Sea. This is the perfect place for you to unwind at one of their sprawling beaches for those needing a major destresser.

You might want to consider going to Phuket during this shoulder season, too, if you've been wanting to witness popular sites crowd-free. Just don't forget to pack your umbrella for the next couple of months!

Three words: hot, humid, and rainy. These months are Thailand's monsoon season, where it typically rains during the late afternoon and at night, with September being the wettest month of the year. For those travelling on a budget, though, this is the best time to score good deals on accommodation and bookings! To stay safe and dry, avail of a local sim card to seamlessly book and contact grab drivers, as tuk-tuks might not be the best way to get around the city when it's raining.

You can still roam around outdoors in the mornings and afternoons, but make sure you're indoors by around 5 p.m. as this is the time it usually starts to pour. That won't be a problem, though! Bangkok has malls like Siam Paragon and Iconsiam for high-end shopping, Central World for mid-priced stores, and Platinum Mall for uber-affordable clothing. Not to mention, foodies can delight in their food courts with endless options from juicy char-grilled meats, noodles expertly stir-fried in a wok, rich Indian food, and so much more! The rain will be over before you even know it.

While it isn't completely back to dry season just yet, you start to see less rainy days starting mid October. One reason to visit Phuket at the tail end of the low season is their Vegetarian Festival, which takes place across 25 shrines on the island. The locals abstain from eating meat and dedicate their prayers for the next nine days to their emperor gods to ensure prosperity, good physical well-being, and spiritual cleansing.

Aside from that, locals participate in a street procession and even self-mutilation through piercings and the like, which are believed to purify the mind and body. If you love seeing anything taboo, this is one you can't miss.

Rainy season? That's so last month. Make the most out of the weather by going trekking up the mountains in northern Thailand where it can get chilly at night.

Make your Disney princess dreams come true by having an unforgettable magical evening under a starry sky lit up with flying lanterns during the Yi Peng Festival, or witness lotus-shaped baskets with flowers and candles floating along the river at Loi Krathong Festival. The best part is that you can experience both on the same night only in Chiang Mai!

This is the best time to go to Bangkok for those who wanna avoid the summer heat and rainy season or go when there's low humidity. Expect good weather and very little rain at this time, with temperatures ranging between 21 to 31 degrees Celsius. But be prepared for more crowded tourist spots because this is high season everywhere in Thailand.

With so many things to do in the city, it's hard to narrow them down. Lucky for you, here's a bucket travel list of things to do in Bangkok! It contains all the famous spots in this exhilarating city that are worth a visit.

That wraps up our summary of what it's like to travel to Thailand each month. Whether low or high, dry or wet season, east or west coast, you can never go wrong with this beautiful country. There will always be something to do, new food to taste, and experiences to collect. It's no wonder people keep coming back again, and again...and again! The reason? Well, book that flight and you might just find out why.