Best time to visit Thailand
Thailand has three broad seasons: cool and dry (Nov–Feb), hot (Mar–May) and monsoon (Jun–Oct). The two coasts run on different calendars: Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi are calm Nov–Apr, while Koh Samui and Koh Tao are best Jan–Aug and wettest Oct–Dec. Match your travel month to a region below.
Seasons in Thailand
- Cool season, Nov–Feb: Dry and sunny, 20s to low 30s°C. The best time for Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the Andaman beaches (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi). In season: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Pattaya, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Pai, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket.
- Hot season, Mar–May: 33–40°C with calm seas; Songkran water festival in mid-April. Burning-season haze in Chiang Mai and Pai in March and April. In season: Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket.
- Monsoon, Jun–Oct: Showers most afternoons and rough Andaman seas. Koh Samui and Koh Tao stay dry and calm until October. In season: Koh Tao, Koh Samui.
Peak, shoulder and off season in Thailand
- Peak season, Nov–Feb: Cool, dry and busy, with the highest prices over Christmas and New Year in Phuket and Krabi.
- Shoulder season, Mar–Apr, Oct: Hot or changeable weather and better rates; Songkran (April) and Diwali-week flights (October) fill early.
- Off season, May–Sep: Monsoon months with the lowest prices. Pick the Gulf islands for beaches; Maya Bay is usually closed in August and September.
Thailand in January
Cool season · Peak season
Cool and dry in Bangkok, the north and the Andaman coast; Gulf islands drying out after the year-end rains. Peak-season prices.
In season: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Pattaya, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Pai, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket.
Thailand in February
Cool season · Peak season
Dry and warm everywhere; one of the best months for Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi, and the Gulf islands are good again.
In season: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Pattaya, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Pai, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket.
Thailand in March
Hot season · Shoulder season
Heat builds (33°C+) but seas stay calm; burning-season haze in Chiang Mai and Pai.
In season: Pattaya, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket.
Thailand in April
Hot season · Shoulder season
Hottest month; Songkran water festival around 13–15 April — book early and expect water fights. Northern haze lingers.
In season: Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket.
Thailand in May
Hot season · Off season
Hot, with first monsoon showers on the Andaman coast; Samui and Koh Tao at their best. Low-season deals begin.
In season: Koh Tao, Koh Samui.
Thailand in June
Monsoon · Off season
Andaman monsoon: rougher seas and red-flag beaches in Phuket and Krabi; Samui and Koh Tao dry and calm.
In season: Koh Tao, Koh Samui.
Thailand in July
Monsoon · Off season
Showers in Bangkok and the north (green countryside); the Gulf islands are the best beach choice.
In season: Koh Tao, Koh Samui.
Thailand in August
Monsoon · Off season
Gulf islands still good; Andaman seas rough and Maya Bay usually closed (Aug–Sep).
In season: Koh Tao, Koh Samui.
Thailand in September
Monsoon · Off season
Wettest month for Bangkok and the Andaman coast; lowest prices. Maya Bay usually reopens in October.
Thailand in October
Monsoon · Shoulder season
Rains ease in Bangkok and the north late in the month; Andaman coast turning dry, Gulf islands turning wet. Flights around Diwali and autumn school holidays fill early.
Thailand in November
Cool season · Peak season
Cool season begins: dry Bangkok and north, Andaman beaches reopen. Loy Krathong and Yi Peng in Chiang Mai around the full moon. Samui and Koh Tao at their wettest.
In season: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Pattaya, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Pai, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket.
Thailand in December
Cool season · Peak season
Cool, dry and busy; peak prices around Christmas and New Year in Phuket and Krabi. Gulf islands still rainy early in the month.
In season: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Pattaya, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Pai, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket.