Recommended Thailand travel time

The best time to visit Thailand is from November to mid-March; this is our winter and the weather is warm and dry, with day-time temperatures in the high 20s-30° C. This is followed by the hot season, mid-March-May, with day-time temperatures up to 40° C, and then the rainy season, June-October, with temperatures in the mid-30s° C.

There are regional variations around the country to consider and some of the islands have their own different variations. 

To be sure to choose the best time for you holiday, please read the following more detailed explanation of our weather:

• Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao are fine to visit all year round with the hottest months being mid-March-May. The rainy season here on the East coast is from October to November, which usually means just almost daily short periods of very heavy rain, followed by fine weather. The sea can be quite rough at this time so lookout for warnings against bathing. The best time to visit is July to September.

• Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi are best visited from early November to February. The highest temperatures are reached mid-March-May, with monsoon rains hitting the west coast from May to October. The seas can be dangerous during these months so lookout for warnings against bathing.

• Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand: Pleasant Mediterranean climate, where the temperature is likely to be in the high 20s during the day and drop to 15 ° C at night, during the cooler months, November-February. Day-time temperatures are around 34° C from March to May and 29° C from November to February. The rainy season in northern Thailand is from June to October.

• Koh Chang, Trat, with the islands of Koh Mak and Koh Kood, Bangkok, and Central Thailand: Ideal time to visit is from November to the end of March, with average temperatures around 30-35° C. April-May are very hot with temperatures up 40° C and above. The rainy season is June to September, with almost daily rain in very heavy downpours, usually in the later afternoons.

• Northeast Thailand is best visited from November to March but note it can be quite cool in December and January in the mountains and in the northernmost provinces. April and May are very hot. The rainy season is June-October.

Rainy season in Thailand (June to October) does not mean that it rains all day, every day. Tropical rain showers tend to be very heavy but usually lasting only 30-40 minutes, only occasionally lasting for an hour or more.

On the west coast of Thailand, the Andaman Sea, the monsoon rains are between May and October and swimming in the sea at this time can be hazardous, look out for warnings against bathing. This can be a good time for trekking in the north, although some tails may be muddy and difficult. This is not a bad time for travelling in Thailand, it is not too hot and the showers do not last for too long.

Thailand has two distinct climates:  tropical savanna climate in the northern part of the country and a tropical monsoon climate in the south and southeast. There are three seasons: the so-called "cool" season (November to February) with day-time temperatures between 21 and 30 degrees, the hot season (March to the end of May) with average temperatures around 38-40° C degrees and the rainy season (June to October) in which sunshine alternates with short, heavy rain showers. Temperatures are in the mid-30s C. 

Sea temperatures are a maximum of 5° C degrees lower. For families with schoolchildren who must come to Thailand in July/August - swimming during the rainy season is only safe on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. 

Summer is from late March to the end of May. At this time begins a heat can make travelling, especially in Bangkok, somewhat tiring.  Sultry temperatures up to 40° C and high humidity mean you must take it a bit easy. It is mostly dry however and cooler weather can be found in higher mountainous regions and at our famous seaside resorts.

The "green season" from early June to late October. The rainy season varies slightly regionally. On the Andaman Sea, side most of the rain comes in September to October, in the Gulf of Siam it is from October to December. Mostly it rains heavily in the afternoon for up to an hour and then the sun is shining again. For nature lovers especially, the rainy season is recommended because everywhere lush vegetation flourishes all over Thailand in every conceivable shade of green.

Our winter is from November to February/March. In the North and Northeast, the nights can get quite cold, especially at higher elevations, with temperatures occasionally dropping as low as 8° C.

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