When to go · Thailand

Thailand, month by month

The best months for Thailand: Jan, Feb, Dec. Months to avoid: Sep.

Plan around it

Month by month

JanuaryGreatCool and dry nearly everywhere: the easiest month; book islands and Chiang Mai early.Bangkok and centre: best weather · North: best weather · Andaman coast: best weatherCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
FebruaryGreatDry and warming; the north starts to haze late in the month — go south.Bangkok and centre: best weather · North: smoke haze · Andaman coast: best weatherCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
MarchMixedHot; northern burning season makes Chiang Mai air bad. Beaches both coasts are good.Bangkok and centre: hot · North: smoke haze · Andaman coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
AprilMixedHottest month; Songkran (13–15 Apr) soaks everyone and fills transport — plan around it or join in.Bangkok and centre: hot · North: smoke haze · Andaman coast: hotCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
MayMixedHeat plus first rains; Andaman seas turn rough; the Gulf islands are the pick.Bangkok and centre: hot · North: hot · Andaman coast: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
JuneMixedRainy season on the Andaman side; Gulf islands and Bangkok workable with afternoon storms.Bangkok and centre: rainy · North: rainy · Andaman coast: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
JulyMixedWestern summer holidays lift Gulf island prices; the west coast stays rough.Bangkok and centre: rainy · North: rainy · Andaman coast: rainyCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
AugustMixedSame pattern as July: Samui, Phangan and Tao are the dry choice.Bangkok and centre: rainy · North: rainy · Andaman coast: rainyCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
SeptemberAvoidWettest month in Bangkok and on the Andaman coast; flooding in low areas. Only for low prices.Bangkok and centre: rainy · North: rainy · Andaman coast: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
OctoberMixedRain eases in Bangkok and the north late in the month; the Gulf islands start their wet season.Bangkok and centre: rainy · North: fine · Andaman coast: rainyCrowds: Low · 5 festivals or holidays
NovemberGoodCool season begins; Loy Krathong and Yi Peng fill Chiang Mai; the Gulf is wet, the Andaman dries out.Bangkok and centre: fine · North: best weather · Andaman coast: fineCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
DecemberGreatPeak season: dry except the Gulf in early December; 20 Dec – 5 Jan prices are the year's highest.Bangkok and centre: best weather · North: best weather · Andaman coast: best weatherCrowds: High · 5 festivals or holidays

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
Region	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Bangkok and centreBangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi	Best	Best	Hot	Hot	Hot	Wet	Wet	Wet	Wet	Wet	OK	Best
NorthChiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai	Best	Haze	Haze	Haze	Hot	Wet	Wet	Wet	Wet	OK	Best	Best
Andaman coastPhuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Khao Lak	Best	Best	Best	Hot	Wet	Wet	Wet	Wet	Wet	Wet	OK	Best
Gulf islandsKoh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao	OK	Best	Best	Best	Best	OK	OK	OK	OK	Wet	Storm	Wet