Thailand’s Climate Review – When Is The Best Time To Visit Thailand?
Thailands climate can be beautiful and dry in one season and wet and humid in another, depending on when your visiting? I’m Ian, an experienced backpacker who has lived all the world. I’m going to take you through the season’s climate variance, and when is the best time to visit?
Thailand has a tropical climate with a wet season, in which downpours are regular. In the winter, the air pushes from inland, making it dry, and in the summer, the wind comes in from the sea, making it wetter. Although this climate rule is accurate most of the time, you can still get different temperatures, which isn’t explainable.
Thailand has 3 seasons in total
- Dry summer lasts 3 months – March, April, and May
- The rainy season lasts 4 months- June, July, August, and September
- The cool season lasts 5 months- October, November, December, January, and February
The most popular time to visit Thailand is the cool season with the cold breeze and low possibility of rain, but a drawback is that tourist operators charge more as it is peak season. But by saying that you can holiday all round and find better cheaper deals in the rainy season. But when I lived in Asia, the cool season was terrific and perfect for me. In March, April and May, please plan and wear loose cotton clothes. You only have to walk 100 meters, and you will be sweating like crazy! Make sure you shower at least 2 times a day for your hygiene, because you will smell!
The wet season is great for a bargain, and you can easily find accommodation on short notice, so you have flexibility there. Most of the time, downpours only last 2-3 hours, and the rest of the day is dry, but Aussies trying to escape the winter take into account Thailand will be in the wet season.
I have more tips and info for you guys below; I talk more about the differences in climate between the north and south of Thailand.
Northern Thailand Climate
Thailand is a tropical country and hot all year round, but you do get cooler temperatures in the Northern part of Thailand. The climate in winter Oct-Feb stays pretty much hot in the day with cooler temperatures at night, especially in December-January. Temperatures can drop to 14 Celcius at night, which can be very refreshing in Thailand, especially for ex-pats who are over the continuous hot climate.
In the north, when a lot of cold air arrives from Siberia (Winter Season), it can push the temperatures down on record levels, even reaching 5 °C Celcius at record levels. Remember, Chiang Mai is 310 meters above sea level and even has mountains (Doi Inthanon as high as 1,850 meters above sea level. In the day time, you are still looking at temperatures around 30°C and especially when you hit February.
When you look at the dry season March to May, temperatures start to sore high 36-38 °C but sometimes 40 °C, which makes Chiang Mai one of the hottest places in Thailand
In the Monsoon season June-September you are looking at some real heavy monsoons that will reach 35-60 inches of rain, mainly September being the month with a lot of rain.
The amount of sunshine that Chiang Mai has is decent, especially in the dry season where you won’t see any clouds. In June-March, you will have 9-10 hours of delightful sunlight. In the winter, expect more overcast skies.
If you’re heading to the northern part of Thailand, head their around Dec-Jan for the best all-around temperatures. If you are not into the rain, stay away from the rainy season
Southern Thailand
Around this region, of Thailand it is continuously hot. March-May being the hottest months down their reaching highs as 31-32 °C. Again the weather can fluctuate and hit 35-36 °C, but nothing is set in stone. The wet season is also at a different time in this region.
If you are looking to travel to the Islands in Oct-Nov, expect some potentially heavy rain with an average of 10-18 inches of rain. This period of the year is considered the wet season, with rain continuing in January.
April and May are considered the hottest months of the year, with high temperatures of 33 °C so slightly cooler than Chiang Mai in the dry season.
In Feb-March, expect an average of around 8hrs of sunshine with 5hrs in September.
You don’t get loads of rain on the islands, and the heat doesn’t change so much. Koh Samui on the Gulf of Thailand gets a steady stream of consistent temperature all year round.
West Thailand
Again another exciting area of Thailand that gets a lot of tourism, especially in Phuket.
You find the most rain comes in May-Oct with 12.8 inches of rain landing in September, which is a lot less than some other areas in Thailand.
The weather is a little hotter than the Gulf as winds approach from the central part. In my opinion, Phuket has one of the best climates in Thailand for holiday goers.
In Jan-Feb you get around 8hrs of Sunshine with September getting the lowest hours of Sun with the only 4hrs
The best time to visit Phuket Dec-March
Bangkok
I’ve visited Bangkok many times and have to say it’s a hot and busy city with Nov-Jan being the best time to visit. The weather typically reaches 30 °C, with the lowest 22 °C Celsius. I recommend visiting this time of the year. Bangkok can become intense, and when it is humid its horrible.
Late Feb, the heat starts to turn up, and you will even see the odd shower or thunderstorm. You are entering the hottest time of year for Bangkok in March-May with highs of 37 °C degrees. At night the temperature won’t drop much either, so I recommend an air-conditioned room. Although Chiang Mai is hotter in the dry season in Bangkok the concrete absorbs the heat from the intense sun basically making it a sauna!
Once you get to May things, start to cool off with the monsoon season. This season can have some large thunderstorms with a few hot days as well. In September, you can get 13.6 inches of rainfall, so be careful as the grids get overwhelmed, and dirty water spoils all over the place, so wash your feet.
Sun times are decent in the dry season (Dec-April), having an average of 9hrs of Sun. Not that your there to sunbathe much but try and find a rooftop infinity pools to chill. Capella Hotel Bangkok is my recommendation.
East Of Bangkok
If you travel 2hrs away, you will reach Pattaya, which has a climate that doesn’t change that much to Bangkok.
You hit the rainy season from May-Oct, with an average of 8.5 inches being the most rainfall in September. This is typically a muggy time of year and not so pleasant with humidity ramping up. Also, be aware Typhoons occasionally hit this part of Thailand
If your thinking of visiting Pattaya, go Dec-Feb as it’s dry, and you are in the cool season. When you get to March-April, it still can dry but expect showers, and the heat will rise.
In terms of consistent sunshine, Dec-March has an average of 8hrs per day
You have Koh Chang, South of Pattaya, where it gets even hotter in the dry season and probably not recommended.
Be warned the wet season in this region can experience massive monsoons with 67 inches of rainfall between May- September
I also remember in November, the mosquitos in Koh Smet being nasty, so be careful.
Tropical Storms
If you’ve seen storm chasers, then you are in the right place. Typhoons typically appear from the east of Thailand and affect Vietnam & Cambodia more. When a Typhoon hits, it will bring a tremendous amount of rain, which can course flooding and structural damage.
Typhoons generally hit around June-December but can also be seen in September-November. Again, because the sea is warmer in this climate effectively, they can strike anytime.
It is worth mentioning you can also get Typhoons coming in from the Indian Ocean, but they tend to miss Thailand and travel north to Burma.
Thailand is in a good position for Typhoons more than Vietnam and the Philippines but still can cause havoc and disaster. Typhoon Goni hit the Philippines in November, killing 44 people and caused millions of dollars of damage, which shows the power of Typhoons!
My advice is stick to the cool season if your going on holiday! It may cost you more but for an all round better climate its worth it.
Many thanks for your time
Ian
