Best (and Worst) Time to Visit Thailand 2023 & When is the Rainy Season

The best time to visit Thailand is between November and March when the weather is cool and dry. However, it is also prime tourist season, and hotel and flight prices reflect the surge.

Thailand experiences very hot weather between April and June. The rainy season in Thailand occurs between June and October. One exception is the south's east coast (including Koh Samui), which experiences heavy rainfall from October to December.

It is possible to travel to Thailand during these months, but get ready for high temperatures and monsoon season ranging from afternoon showers to major flooding.  Lower prices and smaller crowds are the rewards.

Best Times to Visit Thailand for Great Weather, Beaches, Low Prices

As mentioned above the best times to visit Thailand are from November to March. However, this can depend on your Thailand holiday purposes, budget, and weather preferences.

• For the best weather condition, November to February is the best time for you in general. You can enjoy the gorgeous scenery and all kinds of outdoor activities.
• If you are a beach/island lover, November to March is the best time to visit beaches on the west coast of Thailand like Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Similan Islands, and Krabi. Koh Samui, on Thailand's east coast, is good to visit from January to March and July to September. >>> Koh Samui vs Phuket: which is better for you ?
• If you want to experience Thailand festivals, you should come in November (Thailand Lantern Festivals: Loy Krathong and Yi Peng Festival ) or April (Songkran Festival).
• May to September is the best time for low prices in general, when you should find the biggest discounts and more promotions on accommodation, flights, and tours.

Get more tips in our article: How to Plan Your First Trip to Thailand — 7 Easy Steps .

Or t ell us your interests , and we're glad to share the perfect timing and activities.

The Worst Times to Visit Thailand

• If you cannot stand the scorching heat, April is a time to avoid.
• If you don't like rain, you'd better avoid August and September (or October/November for the Koh Samui area).

However, these worst times bring benefits. You can enjoy very reasonable prices and less-crowded beaches and temples.

You can make these "worst times" better. For example, you could choose northern cities like Chiang Rai, which is cooler, or stay in a beach resort, where the air is cooled by sea breezes.

During the wet seasons, it doesn't rain all day long. Usually, there are short afternoon downpours but the rest of the day is otherwise sunny and you can enjoy most of a day without much inconvenience. But it is important to note there's a good chance you won't be allowed to dive or go for island hopping for the strong waves.

If you want to avoid rains and have a wonderful beach holiday, you may consider Bali. When Thailand is in rainy season, Bali is bright and sunny.

Suggested read: Thailand Rainy Season: When It Is and 5 Best Places to Go .  If you are going to visit other countries in Southeast Asia, you can read the Best Times to Visit Southeast Asia .

Thailand in January: Nice Weather

• Average temperature range: 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F)
• Key festival: Chinese New Year (January or February)

January offers great weather conditions, whether for city sightseeing or beach holidays.

It is pleasant to travel all around Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Koh Samui... Diving and snorkeling are at their best during this period.

Suggested read: Thailand in January: the top 5 places to visit, costs, and crowds .

Thailand in February: Nice Weather

• Average temperature range: 22°C to 32°C (72°F to 90°F)
• Key festivals: Chinese New Year

Similar to the weather of January, February's weather is still nice, warm, and dry.

Good weather means almost anywhere is a good place to plan your holiday.

Beautiful islands and beaches are also good places to go — Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak... All kinds of water activities enjoy ideal conditions.

Suggested read: Thailand in February: top places to visit, costs, and crowds ; The Ultimate Guide to Spending Christmas / New Year Holidays in Southeast Asia .

Thailand in March: The Heat Builds

• Average temperature range: 26°C to 31°C (79°F to 88°F)
• Key festivals: Makha Bucha Day

March is still a fabulous month to visit Thailand, especially in the first half of the month, though it starts to heat up in March.

During this season, you can go literally anywhere in Thailand thanks to the low rainfall. Beaches and islands are still good to enjoy.

Suggested read: Thailand in March: top places to visit, costs, and crowds .

Thailand in April: Hottest

• Average temperature range: 29°C to 34°C (84°F to 93°F)
• Key festivals: Songkran Festival (13th to 15th April)

April is the hottest month in Thailand. It is not unusual for temperatures to exceed 30°C (95°F) all day and night!

The heat in Chiang Mai during April gets even more oppressive than in Bangkok. Chiang Rai is slightly cooler by 1 or 2°C but is still hot nonetheless.

For beach lovers, you are almost guaranteed some blue skies and clear seas. Staying in a beach resort will be at least 4 or 5°C cooler than in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

Festivals and Events

Thai New Year (Songkran Festival) is the biggest, longest, and most enjoyable festival in Thailand. It is a 3-day-long water fight that takes place throughout the country!

Suggested read: Thailand in April: top places to visit, costs, and crowds .

Thailand in May: The Rains Start

• Average temperature range: 28°C to 34°C (82°F to 93°F)

May is still hot and starts to be wet with it, as Thailand begins its rainy season. The rainy season is in full swing by the end of the month.

The weather in Bangkok and other cities in May starts to get extremely humid. Koh Samui is better than Phuket and Krabi to go because rainfall during May is much lower on the Gulf of Thailand than on the Andaman Coast.

May sees the end of the high season, which means that prices on hotels and flights begin to drop, bringing great value for visitors.

Suggested read: Thailand in May: top places to visit, costs, and crowds .

Thailand in June: Wet and Hot

• Average temperature range: 28°C to 34°C (82°F to 93°F)

Thailand can expect an average of 15 to 22 days of rain in June. However, the rain is usually short-lived, occurring in short bursts in the afternoon or evening.

This tourism low season is the best time to travel to Thailand for prices and quietness, with more choices of accommodation and various different promotions.

For beachgoers, Ko Samui and Hua Hin are the best destinations as they are not so affected by the rains at this time.

Suggested read: Thailand in June: top places to visit, costs, and crowds .

Thailand in July: Wet

• Average temperature range: 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F)

The southern islands are affected by the monsoon in July, which brings heavy rains and turbulent waves to the west coast.

However, the east coast (Koh Samui, Koh Tao, etc) experiences fewer showers during this season and has relatively good weather in July. You can still enjoy sunny days at the beach on these islands. >>> How to Plan a Trip to Koh Samui .

Some urban areas, such as Bangkok, remain hot and wet. Staying refreshed with indoor swimming pool visits and cold showers will help relieve any discomfort.

Suggested read: Thailand in July: top places to visit, costs, and crowds .

Thailand in August: Wet

• Average temperature range: 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F)

Like July, August is one of the best times to visit Koh Samui and the surrounding islands. Though there are some brief rains, it is much better than the other side of the peninsula in Phuket, Krabi, Koh Chang, and the Phi Phi Islands. >>> Best Time to Visit Koh Samui .

A trip to Thailand in August can be a cost-effective opportunity to enjoy scenic spots and quiet beaches without the crowds.

Suggested read: Thailand in August: top places to visit, costs, and crowds .

Thailand in September: Wettest

• Average temperature range: 25°C to 31°C (77°F to 88°F)

September is the wettest month in Thailand. But actually, only some rural areas are significantly affected by the rains during the wet season, such as the mountainous north around Chiang Mai.

Destinations like Bangkok offer travelers plenty to do and see, even when it's raining outside. Koh Samui is recommended for beach holidays in September as it is less affected by the rains.

Rains do not disrupt the travel experience too much for some, as it seldom rains all day long.

Suggested read: Thailand in September: top places to visit, costs, and crowds .

Thailand in October: End of the Rains

• Average temperature range: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)

Thailand experiences high or very high rainfall again in October, except in Northern Thailand where the rainy season already tails off to moderate levels.

The monsoon rain eases off with less rainfall and lower temperatures by the end of October in most of Thailand. However, Koh Samui begins its peak rainy season at this time.

Some visitors come to Thailand at the end of October to wait for the annual grand Thailand Lantern Festival in early November. Bangkok and Chiang Mai are the main venues.

Suggested read: Thailand in October: top places to visit, costs, and crowds .

Thailand in November: Peak Season Starts

• Average temperature range: 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
• Key festivals: Thailand Lantern Festivals

Thailand's peak travel season starts from November. The rains and heat are gone or going from most of the country.

You can venture out without any worries of getting drenched, EXCEPT on the east coast, which receives a massive half a meter of rain in November.

Islands on the Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi Island, Similan Islands, etc.) are ideal places to go, by contrast, with only moderate rainfall.

Bangkok and Chiang Mai, with low rainfall, are the most popular cities in November for the Thailand Lantern Festivals (November 27 in 2023).

Suggested read: Thailand in November: top places to visit, costs, and crowds .

Thailand in December: Coolest

• Average temperature range: 21°C to 31°C (70°F to 88°F)

December is the coolest month in Thailand, but it's still warm everywhere but in the cool/mild mountainous north.

December is a great time to visit most areas in Thailand (Koh Samui is still in rainy season though) and is also the country's busiest month for tourism.

There are celebrations on Christmas and New Year's Eve in Thailand. Shopping malls in Thailand have big sales from late December to early January. If you're planning a trip to Thailand over the Christmas and New Year period, try to book as early as possible. Popular hotels are usually booked up 3-6 months in advance.

Suggested read:

• Thailand in December: top places to visit, costs, and crowds .
• The Best Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve in Thailand
• Planning a Family Holiday to SE Asia? 20 Expert Tips for Christmas 2023

Thailand Weather Month by Month

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