When to go to Thailand for families

Although Thailand can be visited year-round, conditions vary throughout the year and between the regions, so a little forward planning can really help you make the most of the weather.

Generally speaking, temperatures range between the pleasant mid-20s and the hot early-30s. Rainfall usually comes in heavy but short showers, except towards the end of the rainy season when you may see more persistent downpours.

In all likelihood, you’ll be restricted to times when the kids aren’t at school. So, to make things easier, here’s a summary of the weather during school holidays, and where to go to get the best of it. The coolest and driest times fall between November and May.

The weather is likely to wonderful wherever you go in Thailand in February, so all options are on the table. You are likely to limited by time of course, but if you’re lucky enough to be able to get away for 10 days or so then a short stay in Bangkok followed by travel to the south for beaches and wildlife would make for a great little family break.

This is one of the hotter times of year so be prepared, but it’s still dry and pleasant throughout most of the country. The exception is the south west coast where the rains often arrive around this time, so we’ll usually advise picking somewhere to the east (e.g. Ko Phangan, Ko Samui, Ko Tao) for any beach stays.

Things get a little cloudier and wetter over summer but it’s still a very popular time for a family holiday, especially to the beaches and islands on the south east coast which sees the best of the weather. The south west coast remains pretty wet. Elsewhere in north and central Thailand, expect some showers but don’t let it affect your plans too much. If possible, travelling earlier in the summer break is better.

This isn’t the ideal time to visit Thailand weather-wise with the rainy season drawing towards its close, but there are still some great family travel opportunities out there. Prices tend to be lower at this time of year too. When planning your trip in October, we recommend focusing on the north around Chiang Mai or heading to the south west coast. Things should be starting dry up in October in these parts of the country, although you will still encounter some showers.

Near-perfect weather returns to most of the country around the turn of the year, making this one of the most popular times to visit Thailand… make sure you book ahead! Temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is low, meaning ideal conditions for all the family favourites such as the national parks, River Kwai and the northern countryside. For beaches, we recommend heading to the south west (e.g. Ko Yao Yai, Ko Lanta) which is likely to see drier weather than Ko Samui and its east coast neighbours.