Best time to visit Thailand

Perhaps the best time of year to visit Thailand is during our winter. High season here – the warmest and driest part of the year – is from November to February, promising a cheerful dose of vitamin D during European winter.

In November, the rain starts to taper off, and the west of the country averages seven hours of sunshine and temperatures of 27⁰C. December is widely considered the best time to visit Thailand, with almost no rainfall, long, sunny days and very low humidity too. Average temperatures on the Andaman coast are around 26⁰C, in Bangkok it’s around 27⁰C and, in northern Thailand, temperatures range from 28⁰C in the day to 15⁰C in the evenings.

January and February are both dreamy months right across the country. If you fancy slightly cooler temps but plenty of sunshine, make a beeline for the north, while Phuket and Khao Lak on the west coast are ideal for beach breaks. Koh Phi Phi and the Surin and Similan Islands all boast phenomenal diving and snorkelling conditions at this time of year.

March and April are actually Thailand’s hottest months, so you’d expect them to be peak season. However, as temperatures soar to 35 and 40⁰C with very little rain, it can be too hot for some holidaymakers. March is ideal for beach holidays and snorkelling and diving is still very good (sea temperatures reaching 29⁰C). The humidity creeps up in April and the days may be punctuated with short showers – the rain heads to the west coast first. Crop burning in Northern Thailand reaches its peak levels in March and April, meaning air in Chiang Mai can sometimes become quite polluted, so many people prefer to explore the south, the coast and Bangkok. This is also the best time to go to Thailand and visit the Khao Sok National Park; the rainforest is teeming with wildlife at this time and you have a good chance of spotting favourites.

The other shoulder season, and possibly the best time of year to go to Thailand on a budget, is October. The rain is beginning to fade, but unpredictable thundery showers are broken up by spells of warm, sunny weather. Temperatures drop down to around 25⁰C, meaning it’s a comfortable time to explore the temples, antiquities and even cities without sweltering.

Low season in Thailand coincides with European summer holidays, but don’t let this put you off. It’s one of the best times to visit Thailand on a budget and with fewer crowds, and there are plenty of things to do. It’s also not a wash-out, because the monsoon season doesn’t hit the whole country at once. May and June are good times to visit the south-east coast, the Gulf of Thailand, as the west-coast is experiencing the brunt of the monsoon at this time. Hua Hin and Koh Samui are very popular, but the Similan Islands National Park closes in May as the seas become rougher. In June and July, the monsoon spreads south and east, but you’ll still experience sunny weather around the downpours. Head to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan to get the best of the weather. August and September are the rainiest and cloudiest months in the country, with high humidity throughout. However, if you’re wondering when to go to Thailand and explore the north, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle really come to life in July and August, as the rains relieve the heat haze and people explore the temples and markets.

Diving season in Thailand is somewhat separate to beach-holiday season. In fact, this glorious destination has two distinct diving regions and two distinct seasons, making it a fantastic choice for scuba-fans year-round. In the east, the Gulf of Thailand, the visibility is incredible between May and September, while on the west coast, the Andaman Sea, conditions peak from October through April. Get a chance to spot whale sharks between March and June, or manta rays from mid-October through to mid-May.