Best time to go
Best time to visit Thailand: month by month and region by region
Thailand's coasts have different rainy seasons, so the best month depends on where you go.
By Traveljin Editorial Team · Updated · 2 min read
Quick answer
- November to March is the best time for most of Thailand: dry, sunny and less humid.
- Phuket, Krabi and the Andaman coast are best from November to April; Koh Samui and the Gulf islands from January to August.
- April is the hottest month, and northern Thailand is hazy from smoke in March and April.
| Best overall | Nov–Mar |
|---|---|
| Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi | Nov–Apr |
| Koh Samui, Koh Tao | Jan–Aug |
| Chiang Mai and the north | Nov–Feb |
| Hottest month | April |
Cool season (November to February)
This is peak season for good reason. Bangkok is at its least humid, the Andaman Sea is calm and clear, and the north has cool mornings that are perfect for temples and trekking.
It is also the busiest time, especially around Christmas and New Year, so book beach hotels early.
Hot season (March to May)
Temperatures climb, and April is usually the hottest month. Beaches are still good, but sightseeing in Bangkok is best early in the morning.
Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival, takes over the country from 13 to 15 April. In the north, crop burning often brings smoky haze in March and April.
Rainy season (June to October)
The southwest monsoon brings rain to the Andaman coast and much of the country. Showers are often short and heavy, prices drop and the countryside is green.
Seas around Phuket can be rough, with red flags on some beaches. The Gulf of Thailand islands, such as Koh Samui, stay drier until their own rainy months of October to December.
Festivals worth planning around
Loy Krathong, when people float candle-lit baskets on rivers and lakes, falls on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, usually in November. Chiang Mai also releases sky lanterns for Yi Peng at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Thailand?
December to February for most of the country: dry, sunny and cooler. For Koh Samui, February to April is especially good.
Is it worth visiting Thailand in the rainy season?
Yes, if you plan around it. Rain often comes in short bursts, prices are lower, and the Gulf islands such as Koh Samui are drier from June to August.
When is Songkran in Thailand?
Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival, is held from 13 to 15 April each year.
