Thailand is warm all year, so the real question is how much heat and rain you're happy with. The country has three broad seasons, and its two island coasts follow different weather patterns.
The three seasons
- Cool and dry, November to February: the most comfortable weather and the busiest, most expensive time to travel.
- Hot, March to May: very hot, especially in April. Plan sightseeing for early morning and late afternoon.
- Rainy, June to October: short, heavy downpours, usually in the afternoon, with greener landscapes, fewer people and lower prices.
Bangkok and central Thailand
November to February is the most pleasant time in Bangkok. The rainy season rarely stops sightseeing for long, but some streets flood briefly after big storms.
Chiang Mai and the north
November to February brings cool nights and clear mountain views, and the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong lantern festivals fall around the November full moon. From about February to April, farm burning often causes heavy haze in the north. The rainy season turns the rice fields bright green. See Chiang Mai.
Phuket, Krabi and the Andaman coast
November to April is the best time for Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi, with calm seas and clear water. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings rain and rougher seas. Some boat trips are cancelled on the day, and the Similan Islands close from May 16 to October 14.
Koh Samui and the Gulf islands
The Gulf of Thailand works differently. Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao usually get their heaviest rain from about October to December and are often drier from January to August. That makes Koh Samui a good beach choice in July and August, when the Andaman side is wet.
Month by month
- December to February: great everywhere except the Gulf islands in December. Book early.
- March to April: hot, with good beach weather on both coasts. Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival, is in mid-April.
- May to June: the rains begin. Prices drop, and the Gulf islands are a good choice.
- July to September: the wettest months on the Andaman coast. Choose Koh Samui, and expect green scenery in the north.
- October to November: the rains ease in the north and on the Andaman coast, but the Gulf islands get wetter.
Our advice
For a first trip that combines Bangkok, Chiang Mai and a beach, aim for November to April. If you're travelling in the summer, pair Bangkok with Koh Samui, as on our 6-day Bangkok and Koh Samui package.
Travel rules and opening times change. Check travel.gc.ca for the latest entry requirements before you book flights.