Best time to visit Thailand
Climate and weather guide
The best time to visi Thailand during the driest months between December to May, ideal for all types of activities in both North and South. Although Thailand is a great place to travel at any time of year, but it does have some specific climate zones – our Thailand team has put together some handy hints about what to expect weather-wise across North, Central and South Thailand to help you plan where is best to travel in Thailand throughout the year.
Typical Monthly Climate in Thailand
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Thailand | 21°C ☀️ | 24°C ☀️ | 28°C ☀️ | 30°C 🌦️ | 29°C 🌧️ | 28°C 🌦️ | 28°C 🌦️ | 28°C 🌧️ | 28°C 🌧️ | 28°C 🌦️ | 26°C ☀️ | 22°C ☀️ |
| Central Thailand | 26°C ☀️ | 28°C ☀️ | 30°C ☀️ | 31°C 🌦️ | 30°C ☀️ | 29°C ☀️ | 29°C ☀️ | 29°C ☀️ | 29°C 🌧️ | 29°C ☀️ | 28°C ☀️ | 26°C ☀️ |
| South East Coast | 27°C 🌦️ | 27°C 🌦️ | 28°C ☀️ | 29°C ☀️ | 29°C 🌧️ | 29°C 🌧️ | 29°C 🌧️ | 29°C 🌧️ | 28°C ☀️ | 27°C ☀️ | 27°C 🌧️ | 27°C 🌧️ |
| South West Coast | 28°C ☀️ | 29°C ☀️ | 30°C ☀️ | 30°C 🌧️ | 29°C 🌧️ | 28°C 🌧️ | 28°C 🌧️ | 28°C 🌧️ | 28°C 🌧️ | 28°C 🌧️ | 28°C 🌧️ | 28°C ☀️ |
Thailand regional weather guide
North Thailand
The north of Thailand, including the region of Chiang Mai, stays mostly dry between November and April and it can get a little chilly in the evenings in December. So if you’re heading there at this time, it’s worth packing a few cosy layers. Most of the rain falls in August and September, and if you’re planning a trek or two, you can expect plenty of mud!
Bangkok and Central Thailand
Thailand’s capital, Bangkok is located in the central region of the country and is usually the starting point for most travellers. This region enjoys beautiful weather between November and February and can get seriously hot in March, April and May. Between August to October, there’s often a lot of rainfall which can lead to heavy flooding.
South Thailand
If you’re heading to the south and islands for a dose of tropical beach time during your trip, there are two seasons to be aware of; the wet season and the dry season. These seasons don’t run at the same time on both the East and West coast of Thailand so it’s worth knowing where to go when. On the west coast the southwest monsoon brings rain and often heavy storms from April through to October, while on the east coast the most rain falls between September and December.
Northern Laos
Famous for the charming town of Luang Prabang, Northern Laos has much to offer. Visit the northern provinces in May or June if you’re planning to catch the infamous rocket festival. Local villages send rockets soaring into the air to welcome the much needed rains. If you’re travelling in Laos in November, try to stop by Vientiane for the That Luang Festival.
Southern Laos
Exploding with vivid shades of green, the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos is an absolute delight during the wet season when the vegetation comes alive. On the other hand, dry season is by far the best time to visit Siphandone. As water levels begin to drop, 4000 islands slowly emerge from the murky depths of the Mekong.
