The best time to visit Thailand is between November and early April when the weather is just about perfect. Although Thailand has several different regions, it’s best to avoid the months from May to October. The rainy season is technically from July to October, but monsoons and storms can pop up and delay or even ruin your trip as early as May.
Note that temperatures in Thailand reach their peak between April and May, sometimes exceeding 40C (104F), so if you’re not a fan of the heat, be sure to avoid those months.
Thailand Travel Seasons Explained
The weather in Thailand is either sunny or rainy. Thailand has three main travel seasons:
Cool & Dry Season (Nov–Feb): Peak tourist season, ideal for outdoor adventures, cultural tours, and island hopping. This is often considered the best time to travel to Thailand due to comfortable temperatures and dry skies.
Hot Season (Mar–May): Great for festivals like Songkran, but daytime heat can exceed 100°F (38°C).
Rainy Season (May–Oct): Also known as the monsoon season Thailand, this period brings frequent afternoon rain, fewer tourists, and lush green scenery. Surprisingly, it can still offer the best weather to visit Thailand for those seeking quiet, scenic, and budget-friendly travel.
If you're flexible and don’t mind short bursts of rain, the monsoon season can be a peaceful time to explore the country.
Month-by-Month Travel Guide
Month
Weather Summary
Travel Tips
January
Cool, dry, great beach weather
Ideal for snorkeling and diving
February
Similar to January, slightly warmer
Great for northern trekking
March
Hot and dry
Early start to beach season
April
Very hot, Songkran Festival begins
Pack light and waterproof gear
May
Start of rainy season
Avoid coastal boat travel
June
Intermittent showers, lush landscapes
Great for fewer crowds
July–Sept
Peak rainy season
Good for Koh Samui (Gulf Coast)
October
Rain starts to ease
Risk of flooding in some areas
November
Cooler temps, dry season begins
Best time to go to Thailand beaches
December
Peak season, dry and sunny
Book early for the best prices
Central & Eastern Thailand
These regions have extreme summer temperatures, typically in the mid-’90s during the hottest months of February through April. In the winter months, the temperatures are still relatively warm, settling around the high 70s to the mid-’80s. The rainy season begins around May in this region and goes through October. The rain is frequent but only in short bursts, where the humidity relieves itself for an hour. The Thailand rainy season, also referred to as the Thailand monsoon season, brings lush landscapes and fewer crowds. If you are not a fan of traveling during very hot seasons, the best time to travel to Thailand will be this time and the best place to visit is the Central and Eastern Thailand.
Northern Thailand
Both the North and Northeast regions have relatively similar seasons. The winters here are significantly cooler due to the higher elevations. Temperatures in winter may even get down to freezing levels on occasion. Spring is a great time to visit these areas, as flowers are in bloom and the weather is dry and cool. This period is often considered the best time to visit Thailand’s northern regions before the Thailand monsoon season arrives in mid-year.
Boats on a Phuket beach
Southern Thailand
The seasons in the south are less distinct than in other parts of the country. Two seasons exist, summer and rainy season. The south is divided into two distinct coastal areas: one lying to the East, which includes the Gulf of Thailand, and the other lying to the West of the Thai peninsula, including the Andaman Sea. Visiting the western areas of Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi is usually best from mid-November through April. This allows travelers to avoid the monsoons that occur during other months. Monsoons tend to make visiting islands by boat dangerous and susceptible to last-minute cancellations by operators.
Visiting the Gulf of Thailand regions of Koh Samui and Hat Yai is best done from December to June. However, this region can also visit during the rest of the year so long as short afternoon showers are a welcome occurrence. The monsoons in this region are not as severe or likely to cancel the day's activities in the Andaman Sea region.
Songkran Festival
Songkran is the celebration of the New Year according to the Thai calendar. It officially starts on April 13 and lasts for three days. Leading up to the holiday, it becomes quite common to splash people with water and toss a colored powder on them. Local monks and family members are honored, and huge water fights break out in the streets. Travelers should carry a cell phone and other cameras in watertight baggies to ensure nothing gets wet. Please keep in mind that even as a tourist, it is pretty inevitable that you will get wet during Songkran!
Aerial view of the city of Bangkok
Bangkok Weather: Average Temperature and Rainfall
Month
Bangkok (central) avg temp ℉ (℃)
Bangkok avg rainfall in (mm)
January
80.6 (27)
0.4 (10)
February
82.4 (28)
0.8 (20)
March
84.2 (29)
1.4 (35)
April
86 (30)
3 (75)
May
85.1 (29.5)
8.7 (220)
June
84.2 (29)
5.9 (150)
July
83.3 (28.5)
6.1 (155)
August
82.4 (28)
8.5 (215)
September
80.6 (27)
13.6 (345)
October
80.6 (27)
10.4 (265)
November
78.8 (26)
2 (50)
December
77.9 (25.5)
0.3 (8)
Chiang Mai royal pavilion and garden (Jenny Johnston)
Chiang Mai Weather: Average Temperature and Rainfall
Month
Chiang Mai (northern) avg temp ℉ (℃)
Chiang Mai avg rainfall in (mm)
January
69.8 (21)
0.4 (10)
February
73.4 (23)
0.6 (15)
March
78.8 (26)
0.8 (20)
April
84.2 (29)
2.2 (55)
May
82.4 (28)
6.1 (155)
June
80.6 (27)
4.7 (120)
July
80.6 (27)
6.1 (155)
August
80.6 (27)
8.9 (225)
September
80.6 (27)
8.1 (205)
October
78.8 (26)
4.7 (120)
November
73.4 (23)
2 (50)
December
69.8 (21)
.8 (20)
Boats on a Phuket beach
Phuket Weather: Average Temperature and Rainfall
Month
Phuket (South-west) avg temp ℉ (℃)
Phuket avg rainfall in (mm)
January
78.8 (26)
1.4 (35)
February
80.6 (27)
1.6 (40)
March
81.5 (27.5)
3 (75)
April
82.4 (28)
6.3 (160)
May
81.5 (27.5)
11.4 (290)
June
81.5 (27.5)
10.2 (260)
July
81.5 (26.5)
11 (280)
August
81.5 (26.5)
12.2 (310)
September
78.8 (26)
6.1 (410)
October
77.9 (25.5)
13.6 (345)
November
77.9 (25.5)
8.5 (215)
December
77 (25)
2.8 (70)
Best Time to Travel to Thailand for Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Scuba divers and snorkelers should visit Thailand's southernmost coast between November and February when there is less rainfall. With calmer waters and fewer guests, you'll have more time to enjoy the ocean.
When is the best time to visit Thailand for the best weather
Visit Thailand between November through March or even into April or May, when the country is at its driest, to enjoy the best weather. However, a notable exception is the Lower Gulf, which experiences its wettest months from October through December and is home to the idyllic islands of Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, and Ko Tao.
When is the best time to visit Thailand's beaches?
Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, the Similan Islands, and Krabi are best visited between November and March. To visit Koh Samui, Thailand's east coast, from January to March and July to September, is best.