Thailand

The weather is good throughout the country at this time of year and there is little chance of rain. While temperatures in Northern Thailand is likely to be cool and dry, making conditions more comfortable for trekking in the Golden Triangle region and cycling around the Chiang Mai countryside, Bangkok is warmer due in part to its lower altitude, and temperatures are expected to hover in the high 20’s°C throughout the month. The west coast beaches are likely to be bathed in sunshine and rainfall this month is rare, however the east coast beaches such as Koh Samui & Koh Pha Ngan may experience the odd short shower, especially at the beginning of the month. Dry conditions and warm sea temperatures in January are also favourable for diving off the west coast around Phuket, Khao Lak & Krabi.

February represents the tail end of Thailand's peak Christmas season - the crowds thin out a little, but the weather remains excellent. Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and much of northern Thailand are likely to be cool and dry, with little chance of rain while temperatures in Bangkok will be warmer. A few showers are expected on Thailand's east coast islands of Koh Chang & Koh Kood towards the start of the month, but this shouldn't deter visitors to these islands. If you plan on exploring the rainforest of Khao Sok National Park, February is one of the driest and warmest months of the year, however being the rainforest, showers can be experienced even during dry season. Favourable diving conditions continue off the west coast around Phuket, Khao Lak & Krabi, with good underwater visibility and water temperatures around 27°C.

Fine weather should be expected in March, with temperatures rising throughout Thailand, and this is most often felt in Chiang Mai and the north of the country where the cooler winter months make way for the start of summer and daytime temperatures can hit 35°C. The throngs therefore head south to the islands where the water offers an easy escape from the heat. Favourable diving conditions continue off the west coast with a good chance of spotting manta rays and whale sharks during March. If you plan on visiting Bangkok and central Thailand, high temperatures and little chance of rain can make sightseeing hard work, so plan for shorter experiences rather than all-day visits.

April is, quite simply, blisteringly hot, with average temperatures in the high 30°C’s a frequent occurrence and the heat is just oppressive particularly in Bangkok and central Thailand (around Kanchanaburi). The visitor numbers are busier during the middle of April which sees the Thai New Year (Songkran) celebrated but it thankfully involves a lot of water throwing, forming your single opportunity to cool off ever so slightly. To avoid the heat, head to west coast beaches of Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi, where temperatures are slightly cooler; or consider east coast beaches of Koh Tao and Koh Samui, which enjoys more favourable dive conditions, with good underwater visibility and the possibility of spotting whale sharks. Be sure to book your accommodation early to get the best choice of hotels.

May sees a welcome drop in temperature throughout the country and a significant rise in rainfall albeit low and sporadic initially. This isn't good news if you've just arrived, but it makes for a very welcome relief for anyone who was in Thailand in April! The islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood are particularly wet during May and there is a high chance of rain on the west coast beaches of Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi. For guaranteed sunshine, on the beach, stick to Hua Hin & Cha Am and the east coast beaches of Koh Samui, Khanom and Koh Pha Ngan. Despite the possibility of rain, this is still a great month to visit Thailand as the visitor numbers are far lower than in previous months and prices reduce following the peak season, meaning that you may be able to take advantage of a shoulder season promotion.

June is a good time to visit, allowing you to catch the last of the dry weather and avoid the crowds seen during the European school holidays. High temperatures stay around the same (avg temp: 29-31°C) or fall slightly and, at least initially, the rain is likely to come in the form of short downpours. In the north and central regions, the rainfall starts to make hills and countryside lush again and slightly muddy conditions can be expected if you plan on trekking in the Golden Triangle region. In Khao Sok National Park, the level of rainfall drops a little while it increases a lot in Koh Chang and Koh Kood. For favourable dive conditions and sunshine, Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao are your best bet. They'll still see some rain, but are about the driest of a pretty wet lot.

In many ways the weather in Thailand in July is just a continuation of what most of the country has seen in June, with temperatures starting to drop a little and rain becomes more common as the month progresses. The heavy rainfall in Northern Thailand regions makes the trekking hard word, however the countryside is greener and lush, and the rivers and waterfalls are in full flow. In terms of beaches, the west coast islands of Ko Chang and the Andaman coast see considerably heavier rain, making it particularly wet in July. Further south, east coast beaches of Koh Samui, Khanom and Koh Pha Ngan with drier weather are still enjoying prolonged sunny spells and tend to get busy over the school holidays. July is a particularly popular month for diving around Koh Tao.

The rain is widespread across Thailand in August; especially in the north of the country where heavy rainfall is common. Therefore, travelling around Chiang Mai and the more rural northern regions, such as Nan and Chiang Kham can be fairly difficult. In the south, rain can be seen almost every day on the islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood, while the west coast beaches of Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi will also be experiencing their wettest month of the year. Beach options start to dwindle, with Hua Hin, Khanom and Koh Samui being the best places to head; although you may still experience a few showers.

October is a month of change, rains continue throughout the beginning of October and temperatures begin to drop. However, the more comfortable cooler temperatures and lower humidity, along with less chance of rain as the month progresses, make October a good month to travel. The weather in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and northern Thailand is lovely as October marks the start of ‘winter’. When it comes to Thailand’s beaches, the islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood are experiencing the wettest conditions. Further south, average temperatures are a comfortable 25-27°C, but rain levels are still high on both sides of the peninsula. However, sunny days and blue skies for Phuket and Krabi on the west coast, are just round the corner.

November sees the wet season finally shut down across most of Thailand and humidity is now also out of the picture as temperatures are moderate. During this month, the sun returns to Thailand's west coast and beach lovers begin to flock to Khao Lak, Phuket and Krabi once again while the islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood are the pick of the bunch. If you visit one of these islands at the start of the month you can beat the crowds. Central Thailand and around Kanchanaburi are also experiencing favourable weather conditions while Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Northern Thailand enjoy predominantly dry, sunny days with pleasant temperatures conducive to outdoor activities. Early mornings and late evenings in northern Thailand can be a little chilly as winter approaches.

December is one of the best months of the year to travel in Thailand with minimal rainfall, comfortable temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Bangkok, Kanchanaburi and central Thailand are experiencing low humidity levels and average temperatures of 26°C which are ideal for sightseeing. In the south, Thailand's west coast beaches of Phuket, Khao Lak & Krabi prepare for the Christmas rush with daytime highs of 31°C not uncommon and blue skies the order of the day; it's best to book far in advance to secure your preferred option. The north of the country also enjoys brilliant weather conditions for trekking in the Golden Triangle region and cycling around the Chiang Mai countryside, with temperatures of 23-25°C without being scalding or freezing.