When to go to Thailand? Month-by-month guide

Thailand has not one weather but three: the northern one (Chiang Mai and the mountains), the central one (Bangkok and Ayutthaya), and the southern one (the islands). These three regions do not follow the same monsoon calendar, which creates good news: there is almost always a part of the country where the weather is good.

◆The dry season: November to April

This is the ideal period for the majority of travellers. The sky is clear, the temperatures are high but bearable (28-34°C), the beaches are impeccable. It is also the busiest and most expensive period.

November-December is the most pleasant time: the rainy season has just ended, the vegetation is green, the temperatures are still mild. Fewer tourists than January-March, intermediate prices.

January-February is the peak of the high season. Koh Samui, Krabi, the Phi Phi Islands are crowded. Accommodations and excursions must be booked several weeks in advance. The ideal time for those who want the perfect beaches and accept the crowds.

March-April: the heat rises seriously (up to 40°C in Bangkok in April). Songkran, the Thai New Year, is celebrated in mid-April with a national water war — an unforgettable experience but one that paralyzes some cities for several days.

◆The rainy season: May to October

It is often wrongly demonized. In reality, the Thai monsoon does not look like continuous rain. It is short and intense showers, often in the afternoon, after which the sun returns. Mornings are usually clear. Prices drop by 30 to 50%, tourist sites are less crowded, and the vegetation is bright green.

Exception: the East Coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) follows a reverse calendar — its rainy season is from November to January, while the West Coast (Krabi, Phuket, Koh Lanta) is at its best. This time difference is essential to understand when choosing your islands.

◆The calendar month by month

January: Dry season everywhere. Peak tourists, high prices. Phuket and Krabi beaches at their peak.

February: Same January, slightly less busy. Ideal for the North (Chiang Mai at 20-25°C).

March: Still fine but the heat is rising. Forest fires start in the North (possible mist around Chiang Mai).

April: Very hot. Songkran mid-April (a must if you like parties). Avoid Bangkok for the heat.

May: Beginning of the monsoon on the West Coast. Prices that are falling. East Coast is still beautiful.

June-August: Monsoon west coast but often clear mornings. Koh Samui and east coast at best. Chiang Mai green and cool (25-28°C). Perfect period for the North.

! [Tropical beach with turquoise waters bordered by limestone cliffs in Thailand] (https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1563492065599-3520f775eeed?w=1200&h=600&fit=crop&auto=format)

September-October: Wettest months on the West Coast. Koh Samui can be affected by typhoons. Some islands close partially. Chiang Mai remains a good option.

November: Transition. The monsoon is receding on the west coast, the east coast is starting to get choppy. Excellent time for Bangkok and the center. Prices are slowly rising.

December: Dry season has set in, end-of-year celebrations, festive atmosphere on the beaches. West coast at the top. Koh Samui still rainy at the beginning of December.

◆Depending on where you're going: the rules to remember

Bangkok and the Centre: tolerant all year round, but avoid April (extreme heat) and September-October (possible flooding).

Chiang Mai and the North: November to February (cool and dry), June-August possible (light rain, superb vegetation). Avoid March-April (fires, heat, mist).

Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta (West Coast): November to April imperative. Avoid May-October.

Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao (East Coast): reverse calendar. February to September is the best time. Avoid November-January.

! [Golden Buddhist Temple at Sunset Surrounded by Tropical Vegetation] (https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1508009603885-50cf7c579365?w=1200&h=600&fit=crop&auto=format)

◆How long should I stay?

7 days: Bangkok + an island or Bangkok + Chiang Mai. Enough for an overview.

10-12 days: The classic — Bangkok, Chiang Mai, one or two islands. The right balance of city-nature-beach.

15-21 days: Add Ayutthaya, the Golden Triangle, a secondary island (Koh Lanta, Koh Chang). Deep Thailand, outside the standard circuits.

[Discover the organized tours in Thailand] (/destinations/thailand) or [take the Adeonia quiz](/start) to find the formula that suits your pace.