When to go
The best time to visit Thailand
Every month is good somewhere. See the weather, the festivals and which places shine in the month you can travel.
Thailand: the seasons
Thailand has three seasons: cool and dry from November to February, hot from March to May, and rainy from about June to October. The two coasts differ: the Andaman side (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Phi Phi) gets the southwest monsoon from May to October, while the Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) are wettest in November and December. So there is a good beach somewhere all year.
A general pattern, not a forecast: weather changes from year to year, and festivals that follow the moon move by a few weeks. Checked 2026-11-01.
Destinations, month by month
good timea season to plan around there (rough seas, heaviest rain or haze) — hover or tap a month for the note
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AyutthayaCentral | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: good time | June: good time | July: good time | August: good time | September: good time | October: good time | November: good time | December: good time |
| BangkokCentral | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: good time | June: good time | July: good time | August: good time | September: good time | October: good time | November: good time | December: good time |
| Chiang MaiNorth | January: good time | February: Smoky-air season in the north (usually mid-Feb to mid-Apr): field burning can make the air unhealthy. | March: Smoky-air season in the north (usually mid-Feb to mid-Apr): field burning can make the air unhealthy. | April: Smoky-air season in the north (usually mid-Feb to mid-Apr): field burning can make the air unhealthy. | May: good time | June: good time | July: good time | August: good time | September: good time | October: good time | November: good time | December: good time |
| Chiang RaiNorth | January: good time | February: Smoky-air season in the north (usually mid-Feb to mid-Apr): field burning can make the air unhealthy. | March: Smoky-air season in the north (usually mid-Feb to mid-Apr): field burning can make the air unhealthy. | April: Smoky-air season in the north (usually mid-Feb to mid-Apr): field burning can make the air unhealthy. | May: good time | June: good time | July: good time | August: good time | September: good time | October: good time | November: good time | December: good time |
| Hua HinGulf coast | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: good time | June: good time | July: good time | August: good time | September: good time | October: good time | November: good time | December: good time |
| KanchanaburiWest | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: good time | June: good time | July: good time | August: good time | September: good time | October: good time | November: good time | December: good time |
| Khao LakSouth (Andaman) | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas — boats can be cancelled at short notice; keep a spare day before your flight. Sample pattern — operator to confirm. | June: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas — boats can be cancelled at short notice; keep a spare day before your flight. Sample pattern — operator to confirm. | July: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas — boats can be cancelled at short notice; keep a spare day before your flight. Sample pattern — operator to confirm. | August: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas — boats can be cancelled at short notice; keep a spare day before your flight. Sample pattern — operator to confirm. | September: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas — boats can be cancelled at short notice; keep a spare day before your flight. Sample pattern — operator to confirm. | October: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas — boats can be cancelled at short notice; keep a spare day before your flight. Sample pattern — operator to confirm. | November: good time | December: good time |
| Khao SokSouth | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: good time | June: Rainy season (usually Jun–Oct): trails get muddy and leeches come out; the lake is still beautiful. | July: Rainy season (usually Jun–Oct): trails get muddy and leeches come out; the lake is still beautiful. | August: Rainy season (usually Jun–Oct): trails get muddy and leeches come out; the lake is still beautiful. | September: Rainy season (usually Jun–Oct): trails get muddy and leeches come out; the lake is still beautiful. | October: Rainy season (usually Jun–Oct): trails get muddy and leeches come out; the lake is still beautiful. | November: good time | December: good time |
| Koh ChangEast | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: good time | June: Rainy season on the east coast (usually Jun–Oct): heavy showers and rougher seas; some boat trips stop. | July: Rainy season on the east coast (usually Jun–Oct): heavy showers and rougher seas; some boat trips stop. | August: Rainy season on the east coast (usually Jun–Oct): heavy showers and rougher seas; some boat trips stop. | September: Rainy season on the east coast (usually Jun–Oct): heavy showers and rougher seas; some boat trips stop. | October: Rainy season on the east coast (usually Jun–Oct): heavy showers and rougher seas; some boat trips stop. | November: good time | December: good time |
| Koh LantaSouth (Andaman) | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas — boats can be cancelled at short notice; keep a spare day before your flight. Sample pattern — operator to confirm. | June: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas — boats can be cancelled at short notice; keep a spare day before your flight. Sample pattern — operator to confirm. | July: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas — boats can be cancelled at short notice; keep a spare day before your flight. Sample pattern — operator to confirm. | August: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas — boats can be cancelled at short notice; keep a spare day before your flight. Sample pattern — operator to confirm. | September: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas — boats can be cancelled at short notice; keep a spare day before your flight. Sample pattern — operator to confirm. | October: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas — boats can be cancelled at short notice; keep a spare day before your flight. Sample pattern — operator to confirm. | November: good time | December: good time |
| Koh LipeSouth (Andaman) | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: Monsoon (usually May–Oct): fewer boats, rough crossings and some places close. | June: Monsoon (usually May–Oct): fewer boats, rough crossings and some places close. | July: Monsoon (usually May–Oct): fewer boats, rough crossings and some places close. | August: Monsoon (usually May–Oct): fewer boats, rough crossings and some places close. | September: Monsoon (usually May–Oct): fewer boats, rough crossings and some places close. | October: Monsoon (usually May–Oct): fewer boats, rough crossings and some places close. | November: good time | December: good time |
| Koh PhanganGulf islands | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: good time | June: good time | July: good time | August: good time | September: good time | October: good time | November: Rough-sea season in the Gulf of Thailand (usually Nov–Dec): heavy rain, ferries can be delayed or cancelled. | December: Rough-sea season in the Gulf of Thailand (usually Nov–Dec): heavy rain, ferries can be delayed or cancelled. |
| Koh Phi PhiSouth (Andaman) | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas; boat trips and some ferries stop on bad days. | June: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas; boat trips and some ferries stop on bad days. | July: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas; boat trips and some ferries stop on bad days. | August: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas; boat trips and some ferries stop on bad days. | September: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas; boat trips and some ferries stop on bad days. | October: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rough seas; boat trips and some ferries stop on bad days. | November: good time | December: good time |
| Koh SametEast | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: good time | June: Rainy season on the east coast (usually Jun–Oct): heavy showers and rougher seas; some boat trips stop. | July: Rainy season on the east coast (usually Jun–Oct): heavy showers and rougher seas; some boat trips stop. | August: Rainy season on the east coast (usually Jun–Oct): heavy showers and rougher seas; some boat trips stop. | September: Rainy season on the east coast (usually Jun–Oct): heavy showers and rougher seas; some boat trips stop. | October: Rainy season on the east coast (usually Jun–Oct): heavy showers and rougher seas; some boat trips stop. | November: good time | December: good time |
| Koh SamuiGulf islands | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: good time | June: good time | July: good time | August: good time | September: good time | October: good time | November: Rough-sea season in the Gulf of Thailand (usually Nov–Dec): heavy rain, ferries can be delayed or cancelled. | December: Rough-sea season in the Gulf of Thailand (usually Nov–Dec): heavy rain, ferries can be delayed or cancelled. |
| Koh TaoGulf islands | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: good time | June: good time | July: good time | August: good time | September: good time | October: good time | November: Rough-sea season in the Gulf of Thailand (usually Nov–Dec): heavy rain, ferries can be delayed or cancelled. | December: Rough-sea season in the Gulf of Thailand (usually Nov–Dec): heavy rain, ferries can be delayed or cancelled. |
| KrabiSouth (Andaman) | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rougher seas; some island boat trips stop. | June: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rougher seas; some island boat trips stop. | July: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rougher seas; some island boat trips stop. | August: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rougher seas; some island boat trips stop. | September: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rougher seas; some island boat trips stop. | October: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rougher seas; some island boat trips stop. | November: good time | December: good time |
| PaiNorth | January: good time | February: Smoky-air season in the north (usually mid-Feb to mid-Apr): field burning can make the air unhealthy. | March: Smoky-air season in the north (usually mid-Feb to mid-Apr): field burning can make the air unhealthy. | April: Smoky-air season in the north (usually mid-Feb to mid-Apr): field burning can make the air unhealthy. | May: good time | June: good time | July: good time | August: good time | September: good time | October: good time | November: good time | December: good time |
| PattayaEast | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: good time | June: good time | July: good time | August: good time | September: good time | October: good time | November: good time | December: good time |
| PhuketSouth (Andaman) | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rougher seas; some island boat trips stop. | June: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rougher seas; some island boat trips stop. | July: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rougher seas; some island boat trips stop. | August: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rougher seas; some island boat trips stop. | September: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rougher seas; some island boat trips stop. | October: Southwest monsoon on the Andaman side (usually May–Oct): rain and rougher seas; some island boat trips stop. | November: good time | December: good time |
| SukhothaiNorth | January: good time | February: good time | March: good time | April: good time | May: good time | June: good time | July: good time | August: good time | September: good time | October: good time | November: good time | December: good time |
Month by month
Thailand in January
Cool, dry and sunny in most of the country — peak season, so book stays early. Nights in the north can be chilly.
Bo Sang Umbrella Festival · Chinese New Year
Thailand in February
Dry and warm almost everywhere, with calm seas on both coasts. From mid-February the north can turn hazy from seasonal burning.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival · Chinese New Year
Thailand in March
Hot and dry; the beaches and islands on both coasts are at their best. The north is often smoky until the first rains.
Thailand in April
The hottest month (often 35 °C and more). Beaches and islands stay good; plan shade and water in Bangkok and the north.
Songkran, Thai New Year
Thailand in May
Still hot; the first rains arrive. The Andaman coast's monsoon begins and seas get rougher there, while the Gulf islands stay sunny.
Thailand in June
Rainy season: showers are usually heavy but short, and everything is green. The Gulf islands are the best beach choice.
Thailand in July
Rainy season. Fewer travelers and lower prices; the Gulf islands are the driest beaches. Some Andaman boat trips stop on rough days.
Candle Festival (start of Buddhist Lent)
Thailand in August
Rainy season. Showers come and go; the Gulf islands are still the best beach bet.
Thailand in September
Often the wettest month. Andaman seas are at their roughest, so ferries can be cancelled at short notice; keep a spare day before your flight home.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival
Thailand in October
The rains ease towards the end of the month and the cool season begins in the north. The Andaman coast reopens for the high season from late October.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival · End of Buddhist Lent
Thailand in November
The cool, dry season starts: lovely in Bangkok, the north and the Andaman coast. The Gulf islands now get their heaviest rain.
Loy Krathong · Yi Peng lantern festival
Thailand in December
Cool, dry and sunny in most of the country — peak season, so book early, especially around Christmas and New Year. The Gulf islands can still be rainy early in the month.
New Year's Eve
Questions travelers ask
- What is the best time to visit Thailand?
- November to February: cool, dry and sunny in most of the country. The Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) are best outside November and December, their rainiest months.
- Can I visit Thailand in the rainy season?
- Yes. Rain usually comes in short, heavy showers, prices are lower and there are fewer travelers. Pick the Gulf islands for the beach from June to September, and keep a spare day when you take ferries on the Andaman side.
- When is Songkran?
- 13–15 April every year: Thai New Year, celebrated with water fights in every town.
Know your dates?
Pick your dates and places: we plan the flight, transfers, stays and every connection, and warn you about the season on each leg.