November to January is the cool season and the most comfortable time for most visitors, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). March and April are very hot, and the rainy season runs from mid-May to about September. Hotel prices are lowest from May to August and highest from December to February, per TAT.
TAT describes Thailand's year as six months of rain, three months of cool dry weather and three months of heat, with average temperatures from 18 to 38 degrees. The south has the highest rainfall, and the Gulf and Andaman coasts have different sea seasons, so check the coast you are visiting. No temperature or rainfall numbers are shown here because TAT gives them only as ranges.
- Cool season
- November to January
- Hot season
- March to May
- Rainy season
- Mid-May to September
- Average temperature
- 18 to 38 degrees, per TAT
- Cheapest hotels
- May to August, per TAT
Month by month
Plan around your month
| Month | Verdict | Crowds / Prices |
|---|---|---|
| January | ●Recommended | not known / high |
| February | ◐Good, with trade-offs | not known / high |
| March | ○Challenging | — |
| April | ○Challenging | — |
| May | ◐Good, with trade-offs | not known / low |
| June | ◐Good, with trade-offs | not known / low |
| July | ◐Good, with trade-offs | not known / low |
| August | ◐Good, with trade-offs | not known / low |
| September | ◐Good, with trade-offs | — |
| October | ◐Good, with trade-offs | — |
| November | ●Recommended | not known / high |
| December | ●Recommended | not known / high |
January ●Recommended
Our editorial view: Prices high
The coldest month of the year, especially on northern and north-eastern mountains. Cool, fresh breezes elsewhere. TAT lists sea of mist and wild Himalayan cherry blossom at Doi Ang Khang and Doi Inthanon.
Good for
- Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai hills, flower fields, Andaman beaches.
Watch out for
- Mountain mornings and nights are cold. TAT notes hotel prices are highest in the cool season, December to February.
February ◐Good, with trade-offs
Our editorial view: Prices high
The season turns from cool to hot. The start of the month is still cool, and from mid-month it gets hotter, though not as hot as March and April.
Good for
- North and central sightseeing, beaches, dams and nature trips.
Watch out for
- Afternoons get warm from mid-month. Hotel prices are still in the peak band.
March ○Challenging
A full hot season, with temperatures around 30 to 40 degrees in every region, per TAT. Beaches and seas are the best way to handle the heat.
Good for
- Beaches and islands, sea trips from Phang Nga.
Watch out for
- Heat is hard on older travellers and young children. Plan sightseeing for early morning.
April ○Challenging
The hottest month. TAT says temperatures can reach 42 degrees in the north and north-east. Songkran, the new year water festival, brings a long holiday and many people travel.
Good for
- Beaches, big cities with air conditioning, Songkran festivities.
Watch out for
- Extreme heat in the north. Expect crowds around the Songkran holiday.
May ◐Good, with trade-offs
Our editorial view: Prices low
The last month of the hot season. The rains begin from mid-May, and the south has the highest rainfall of the regions, per TAT. Hotel prices begin to drop into the off-peak band.
Good for
- Nature and cultural trips, Satun geopark.
Watch out for
- Showers from mid-May, heaviest in the south.
June ◐Good, with trade-offs
Our editorial view: Prices low
The middle of the rainy season. Waterfalls, mountains and fields turn green, and hotels offer competitive rates, per TAT.
Good for
- Waterfalls, green countryside, Gulf islands.
Watch out for
- Frequent rain. Check ferry and flight timings.
July ◐Good, with trade-offs
Our editorial view: Prices low
A rainy, moist and cool month. Rivers and waterfalls are full, which TAT says is perfect for rafting. Hotel prices stay in the off-peak band.
Good for
- Rafting, nature sightseeing, Buddhist Lent festivals.
Watch out for
- Heavy rain can disrupt outdoor plans.
August ◐Good, with trade-offs
Our editorial view: Prices low
Mid rainy season, with heavy rain and fresh greenery. TAT lists national parks, rafting and the sea of mist in the north.
Good for
- National parks, rafting, northern mist views.
Watch out for
- Heavy rain. Roads and trails can be slippery.
September ◐Good, with trade-offs
TAT says September signals the end of the rainy season. For the sea, it recommends the Gulf of Thailand this month.
Good for
- Gulf of Thailand islands, festivals.
Watch out for
- Rain can still occur, especially on the Andaman side.
October ◐Good, with trade-offs
TAT calls October the bridge between the rainy season and winter. Temperatures begin to fall and mountain mist starts to appear.
Good for
- Northern mountains, festivals such as the Vegetarian Festival.
Watch out for
- Some rain remains early in the month.
November ●Recommended
Our editorial view: Prices high
The exact month of the cool season, per TAT. Temperatures drop across the country. TAT recommends the Andaman Sea in the south from November, and lists November to January as the time for crystal clear turquoise water.
Good for
- Andaman beaches, northern parks, Loi Krathong festival.
Watch out for
- Mountains get cold. Hotel prices rise as the cool season starts.
December ●Recommended
Our editorial view: Prices high
The middle of the cool season, and the lowest average temperatures of the year, per TAT. Christmas and New Year countdown events are big. TAT recommends the southern coasts and, in the north, camping under the stars.
Good for
- Southern coasts, northern camping, New Year events.
Watch out for
- Hotel prices are at their peak, per TAT, so book early. Mountain tops can drop very low.
Who it suits
For Parents / seniors
November to January is the easiest, with cool dry weather. Avoid March and April, when TAT notes temperatures of 30 to 40 degrees and up to 42 in the north.
For Children
The cool months are the most comfortable. In the hot months, keep days short and stay near the sea or air conditioning.
For Couples
November to January for Andaman beaches, per TAT. The rainy season has the lowest hotel rates.
For Friends
September suits diving and island getaways in the Gulf, per TAT. July and August suit rafting.
For Solo travellers
November to February has the most pleasant weather for sightseeing.
By interest
Beaches and islands
TAT lists November to January for clear turquoise water, January to April for sun, and September for Gulf diving and island trips.
Mountains and nature
January is the coldest month, with mountain mist and wild Himalayan cherry blossom in the north, per TAT.
If your dates are fixed
If your dates are fixed, pick the region for the month. November to January suits most trips. In March to May, stay on the coast and keep the days light. From June to September, expect rain and consider the Gulf islands, which TAT lists for these months. Book hotels early for December to February.
Trips to Thailand
Quick questions
Sources
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: Thailand month-by-month articles (January to December) · checked 22 Oct 2026