Your details have been received

    Our agents will get back to you soon with holiday options.

    Plan Your Holiday with an Expert

    collapse×

    PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY

    best time to visit Thailand

    Best time to visit Thailand

    Thailand is a Southeast Asian country with a tropical climate. Although it’s warm weather all year round, there are some key times when it may be better to visit Thailand.

    Thai seasons are divided into three: the cool and dry season, the hot season, and the wet or monsoon season. The best time to visit Thailand is any month between November and February. This season of the year is known for its sunny weather, making it the perfect time to visit places like Patong Beach, northern Thailand and Thailand’s east coast.

    Tourists can also enjoy sunny skies, warm breezes, and colder weather in the evenings during the holiday high season of December and January.

    For tourists visiting the southern part, the region, particularly its beaches, boasts the perfect dry weather and cooler temperatures from November up until March. The east and west coasts have different weather patterns.

    November to May is known as the busy months as temperatures at the beaches on the coast of the Andaman Sea reach an average temperature of mid-30s (°C). This helps keep the sea conditions relatively peaceful for tourists looking to participate in scuba diving or boat service activities.

    June to mid-October should be avoided due to the rainy monsoon season, making it the wettest months of the year. However, other tourists also come during the low season months to avoid high prices and ensure smaller crowds.

    March, early April, and May tend to be the cheapest time to visit Thailand. This is the hottest time of year when the weather brings heat that can become unbearable, which means flights tickets are sold at low prices. The Bangkok temperature in the heart of the city soars and can be unrelenting. It would be better to stay by the coast rather than in landlocked areas because at least you can get some relief from the sea breeze.


    Frequently Asked Questions About Best Time to Visit Thailand

    What are the hottest months in Thailand?

    The climate is warm all year round but seasons in Thailand can be separated into three distinct seasons – hot, cool, and wet. The hot season runs from March to June, with April and May the hottest months of the year. Temperatures can climb to as high as 38 degrees Celcius during the day.

    What is the coolest month in Thailand?

    The Thailand climate is warm and tropical. November to February is the cool season with the weather in Thailand in December being the coolest month. Temperatures can sit at a pleasant 27-30 degrees Celsius during daylight hours. The weather in Thailand in January is at its best, with warm sunny skies and light breezes. During the cool season, the northern mountainous region of Thailand can get quite chilly, especially in the evenings so be sure to pack a jacket.

    What is the cheapest month to fly to Thailand?

    March- April, and May tend to be the cheapest months to visit Thailand for a dream holiday. This is the hottest Thailand time of year when the heat can become unbearable some days. It would be better to stay by the coast rather than in landlocked areas because at least you can get some relief from the sea breeze.

    Do you need injections for Thailand?

    It’s recommended that travellers to Thailand have inoculations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid at a minimum and also Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, or Rabies depending on which regions they’re visiting and the activities they are planning to do. Malaria prevention tablets may be recommended for travel to remote areas. Be aware of mosquitos in general because they can carry Dengue fever, especially common during the wet season. With the Covid-19 pandemic since 2020 and fluctuating highs-and-lows of cases in Thailand, Covid-19 vaccination is now recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic.

    What is the best month to go to Thailand?

    So when in the year is the best time to visit Thailand? Thai seasons are divided into three: dry season, hot season, and wet or rainy season. The best time to travel to Thailand is any month between November and February, the peak season for tourists to visit Thailand. This time of year is warm, dry, and sunny. Thailand weather in December and the New Year into January is at its tropical best, the cool season, with sunny skies, warm breezes, and cooler evenings.

    What should I wear in Thailand?

    Be mindful that Thailand is primarily a Buddhist-practicing nation and so modest dressing is most suitable. It’s not considered appropriate for women to wear skimpy outfits or for men to wander around without a shirt, despite the warm Thailand weather. To enter sacred sites and temples you must cover your shoulders and wear nothing shorter than lower knee-length skirts or trousers.

    Is visiting Thailand safe?

    Thailand is considered one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia. But from time to time there are political tensions and public protests in Bangkok, and it is advised to avoid some provinces in the southern tip of Thailand because of ongoing ethnic and racial conflicts. Check your home country’s travel advice to get travel tips on this. Thailand also has strict laws (lèse majesté) about defaming the monarchy, therefore it’s best to avoid discussing the Royal family altogether. It is recommended to exercise standard safety precautions and generally stay alert as you would in any new environment.

    Do I need a visa to travel to Thailand from Australia?

    Australian Passport holders may obtain a free tourist visa on arrival for up to 30 days if entering by aircraft or for 15 days if entering overland. This visa exemption only applies to persons with a confirmed onward ticket and at least 6 months passport validity.

    What is the rainy season in Thailand?

    The rainy season in Thailand is usually from July to October, making this period not the best time to visit Thailand. There are times when May and June will have some extra rains, nearing the monsoon season. The weather conditions in Thailand are affected by two monsoon seasons. The first season, from May to October, is the Southwest Monsoon which affects the West Coast (where Phuket and Khao Lak/Similan Islands are located). The later season is the Northeast Monsoon, from November to March, and affects the East coast (where the islands of Koh Tao and Koh Samui are).

    When are the winter months in Thailand?

    The winter months are in November, December, January, February, and March, with the latter being the “shoulder season.” These months are considered the peak season where tourists can expect cold weather and sunny days.

    Which is the best month to visit Phuket?

    The best time to visit Phuket is in the months between November and April. During these months, tourists are also encouraged to visit Phuket’s beaches as it presents the perfect weather for swimming, kayaking, or taking boat cruises.

    What should I avoid in Thailand?

    Here are some travel tips for when you decide on the time to visit Thailand, for a safe, peaceful and fun holiday. Places to avoid in Thailand: Pingpong shows, a type of sex show that has made some parts of Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya notorious – you will be scammed into paying an exorbitant bill; Elephant and animal attractions that still practice maltreatment of their captured animals. Things to avoid doing in Thailand: Negotiating for a flat rate with taxi drivers – go only for metered taxis or the ride app “Grab”. Touching people’s heads, Using the feet for pointing at things or people and having feet pointing at temples or monks, Touching the monks, Keeping shoes on when entering homes, temples or shops — these are considered rude, disrespectful and offensive. Avoid taking photos with animals because the animals offered for photo-ops are drugged heavily and with their claws and teeth taken out, a very cruel practice, which responsible travelers should refuse to participate in. For your safety: do not overstay your visa period, do not get involved in illegal drugs –The Thailand government has been cracking down on this crime in recent decades, with jail time for offenders. Also be aware that the sale of alcohol is restricted during the day for religious reasons.


    When is the best time to visit Thailand for a shopping spree?

    Like any other reason for getting the best time to visit Thailand, from November to February would be the best time for a Thailand visit with shopping as the goal. Bangkok is Thailand’s shopping capital. And there is actually an annual event marked for shopping – The Thailand Grand Sale in Bangkok. This is a yearly shopping event between June and August. Bargains abound in the city’s numerous shopping malls where discounts are granted on clothes, jewellery, sportswear, electrical goods, and a host of other items. Local businesses take part in the event, with the discount rates differing from store to store. During this time, there are also attractive deals for flights, accommodations, and other activities during this event.

    What are the interesting and fun festivals and events in Thailand?

    This “land of smiles” is indeed where you will find yourself surrounded by smiles and giving some yourself too. Thai culture has a lot of festivals celebrated yearly when events spring up all over the country. Some of these are:

    Chinese New Year. Thailand has recently made the Chinese New Year an official government holiday. This action is considered a tool to support the Thailand tourism industry, which had flagged because of the pandemic consequences. At the same time, Thailand has a huge 7 million people of Chinese ancestry so the Chinese New Year has been celebrated for a long time in Thailand. Like other Thai traditional events, the Chinese New Year is denoted by a particular colour – red – in clothing, decorations of paper lanterns, posters, calligraphy banners. The three-day celebration is marked with gift-giving of red envelopes with money or trinkets inside, temples and shrines packed with people praying for good fortune and protection in the coming year, streets filled with food stalls, colourful dragon parades, and acrobats performing jaw-dropping acts.
    Songkran Festival. The Songkran Festival is the national holiday for the Thai New Year celebration. The festival date is April 13th, annually but the celebration of the holiday is extended to 14-15 April. Then in 2018, the government stretched the holiday longer to five days, from April 12-16 so that people could go to their hometowns and celebrate with their families. This festival is celebrated with flower parades in eastern Thailand and water fight events in Bangkok
    Pattaya International Music Festival. The Pattaya International Music Festival in Pattaya, Thailand is among Asia’s biggest international beach music festivals, along the Pattaya beach road. Many famous Thai and Asian music artists and performers gather for this fun festival. The concerts of the different genres from pop, rock, hip-hop, reggae, R&B, and more last the whole evening up until midnight.
    Thai Vegetarian Festival. Also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival. The Thai Vegetarian festival is celebrated for 9 days each year in the whole country on the 9th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. It is called “thetsakan gin je,” meaning “The Vegetarian Festival.” The major events for this vegetarian festival can be found in Phuket because of its 35% Thai Chinese population. Animal products are absent in all food preparations and yellow flags with two red symbols hang from food stalls and restaurant entrances. There are also gut-churning sights alongside festive ones. In the temples, rituals are done for protection in the ritual of “masong,” self-mutilation. The skin – in the cheeks, arms, faces, legs, backs, even tongues- is pierced with various objects. Masong is not practiced in China and is understood to may have been an influence of the Indian “Thaipusam” festival.
    Hua Hin Jazz Festival. An annual international jazz festival in Hua Hin, celebrated in June that draws music lovers even from nearby countries is held in mid-June. The best of Thailand’s jazz talent and jazz and blue bands from Asia flock to Hua Hin in the middle of June each year. This festival is organized yearly to honour the (late) King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who had created a number of jazz compositions and plays a mean saxophone himself. Hua Hin is a seaside town and boasts various accommodation types and categories, thus, it makes for a veritable music festival venue.
    Flower Festival. A three-day festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand (the “rose of the north”) held at the end of the cool season. Beginning on the first weekend of February there are displays of yellow and white chrysanthemums and the Damask rose, a variety native to Chiang Mai. Centered in the public garden of the Suan Buak Haad, all traffic is closed to allow stalls of plants, flowers, orchids and garden décor to set up. In the morning of the second day (except in 2014 when it was done in the late afternoon) is the Flower Festival Parade of flower-bedecked floats accompanied by Western-style marching bands and drum groups from local schools, dancers in traditional Thai clothing, other participants handing out flowers to onlookers. The festival culminates in the selection of the Chiang Mai Flower Festival Queen, amid rock music and drinks.
    Royal Ploughing Ceremony.
    This is an old royal tradition commemorated in the whole country, also in Cambodia and Myanmar, as the customary start of the rice-growing season. Adapted from Hindu and Buddhist influences, this celebration is in honour of the farmers and to bless the plants. The simple name for this festival is “Farmer’s Day” with the official name of “Wan Phra Ratcha Phithi Phuet Monkhon Lae Charot Phra Nangkhan Raek Na Khwan.” In celebration, the oxen are covered in red and gold, they circle the ceremonial area nine times, 9 being an auspicious number in Thai culture. Thailand is the second-largest rice exporter in the world, with 16 million rice workers, thus the great significance of a good rice-growing season for the economy of the country.
    Phi Ta Khon Festival. Also known as the Ghost Festival and one of Thailand’s most amazing festivals. Held every year in June or July, this unique festival is a tradition passed from one generation to the next. During the celebration, the young men in the community dress and adorn themselves to look like spirits, “Phi Ta Khon,” – long colourful garb with the spirit/ghost stereotype masks which are from a basket that is used for cooking sticky rice. The mask face has a long pointed nose and wide, sharp teeth bared in a smile. There is a parade around town wherein several events are held, like traditional rituals and Buddhist rites (for example, the recitation of the thirteen sermons from Phra Vessandorn) at the Wat Phon Chai Temple, which is the focal point of the event. In addition are diverse competitions, such as the Phi Ta Khon masked dances contest, concerts and other cultural presentations, and special markets vending native food and local handicrafts.
    Loy Krathong Festival. The Loy Krathong is one of the biggest celebrations held in the country. This festival is held for a handful of reasons, including marketing the end of the rainy season and welcoming the high season that brings about great weather. It is believed that the Loy Krathong, which means “festival of light,” originated in the city of Sukhothai. While it is not a religious festival, many Thais can be seen praying to the water goddess to prevent bad luck and showing gratitude for having water.

    Information Centre

    Trip from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
    Trip from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
    There are wheelchair-friendly taxis available and the good news is that many local attractions in the city have wheelchair access.
    Airports in Thailand
    Airports in Thailand
    INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS IN THAILAND There are 38 commercial Thailand airports. Of all the airports in Thailand, there are 11 busiest airports servicing international flights. Chiang Mai International Airport, Koh Samui International Airport, Surat Thani International Airport, Udon Thani International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, Mae Fah Luang (Chiang Rai International Airport), Krabi International Airport, U-Tapao […]
    Travel Insurance for Thailand
    Travel Insurance for Thailand
    Travel Insurance for Thailand Thailand is a safe and welcoming country, however, tourists travelling to Thailand often experience mishaps on their travels in Thailand, especially where drinking, partying, motorcycle riding, riding scooters and other high-risk activities occur. When thinking about Thailand travel insurance before embarking on your trip, it’s imperative to check travel insurance quotes […]
    Hospitals in Thailand
    Hospitals in Thailand
    Hospitals in Thailand Thailand is also one of the leading destinations for medical tourism in Asia. From orthopaedic surgery to major dental work and cosmetic enhancement, people flock to Thailand for world-class care and services at more affordable prices. If you are travelling and have an accident, it’s good to know you will be well […]

    Things To Do

    Plan for an unforgettable holiday escapade and uncover the fascinating assortment of things to do and see in Thailand's most popular destinations as well as those lesser known travel spots and routes.