Best Time to Visit Thailand

High Season: January • February

No matter where you are in Thailand, January and February are fantastic. The north is cool in the mountains, the south has little chance of rainfall, and golden sunlight bathes the majority of the gulf, with the exception of Koh Samui, which still sees intermittent showers.

Shoulder Season: March • April • October • November

March and April, as well as October and November, bookend the dry season and can inch into the wet season depending on where you are. March and April are more about where to visit rather than when to visit, with the different climates across Thailand presenting various opportunities, from jungle trekking to pristine beaches.

The temperatures begin to drop around October and November, but the rains still fall across the country, especially around the Gulf Coast. The dry season generally hits by mid-October, making the remainder of the month and all of November a fantastic time to experience the jungles, coastlines, and cultural heritage.

Low Season: August • September

August and September are part of the wet season across Thailand, but the rain's impact depends on where you are as opposed to when you visit.

The showers can vary from hard downpours to intermittent droplets throughout the day, but generally, you can still enjoy a number of cultural experiences in Thailand’s famous destinations, rain or shine.

Best Months: November • December • January • February • March

The dry season from November to March is the best time to sightsee in Thailand. This time of year presents the possibility for further exploration, giving you the option of more experiences.

Whether in the north around Chiang Mai to visit cultural villages or lounging on hidden beaches around Krabi in the south, the season is a gateway to some of the best islands to visit in Thailand. Sightseeing in Thailand can encompass temples, archeological complexes, art galleries, or trekking in national parks.

The dry season only enhances the beauty of surrounding nature, cityscapes, or historical landscapes.

Best Months: November • December • January • February • March

The typical flavors of Thailand are easily found year-round, but during the dry season from November to March, you can experience the essential tastes of the nation’s specific regions.

While most ingredients for which the country is known are found year-round, certain produce like wild strawberries, sweet corn, wild mushrooms, and mud crab remain seasonal.

By visiting between November and March, you can find typical and celebrated essentials, as well as surprising tastes that layer the cuisine, especially when visiting during a Thailand food tour.

Best Months: December • January • February • March • April

The sunny beaches of Thailand are famous worldwide and the months from December to April provide the best chance to experience their grandeur.

The weather can vary between the west and east coasts, with shifting patterns from the Attaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand, but December to April can give you plenty of time to discover the breathtaking views of Krabi’s karsts or lounge in the picturesque waters of Koh Tao.

Best Months: November • December • January • February • March

November to March are the best months for your Thailand tour, with the dry season providing you the most likelihood of calm waters.

The seas are warm and refreshing in the dry season, providing conditions in which you may find whale sharks, sea turtles, or rainbows of fish hiding among the coral. Whether diving in the waters at the Similan Islands or the Gulf of Thailand at Koh Tao, this is a perfect time for an idyllic Thailand honeymoon.

Best Months: October • November • December • January • February

Thailand has exceptional hiking that’s best accessed in the cooler, drier months between October to February.

You can have a unique immersion into the diverse landscape as you trek up cliffs or wind through jungle-clad hills. Trekking in Thailand will reveal a completely different side of the country, as nature takes center stage, giving you access to waterfalls, riverbanks, coastal views, and secret beaches during a family vacation or when on a tour for seniors.

Best Months: December • January • February

Thailand’s dynamic terrain hosts a unique variety of ecosystems, with December to February being the time in which to explore the national parks searching for wildlife.

The natural scenery is inspiring as you discover jungles and waterfalls, mountains and beaches, hilltop forests and secluded islands to find elusive fish, parading elephants, or signs of tigers.

While Thailand may be famous for its beaches, the wildlife captures its often-overlooked cultural connection to land and sea.

Best Months: October • November • December • January • February

The dry season is best for birding in Thailand, specifically between October and February. As the weather changes across the country, you can find migratory birds, typically from Northern Asia, retreating to the warm, dry climate which hosts 10 percent of the world’s bird species. Bird watching in Thailand doesn’t just immerse you in the landscape, it reveals a zoogeographic paradise.

Best Months: November • December • January • February • March

Visiting Thailand with a family is best during the dry season between November and March, as it offers the most options for activities, exploration, and relaxation.

Perfect for traveling with children of any age, Thailand is a fantastic destination for family-friendly adventures that can range from kayaking to hiking, archaeological tours to shopping, all of which will keep you and your children endlessly engaged.

It’s also far more likely that you will have great weather during the dry season when visiting islands or coastal destinations for water excursions.

Best Months: December • January • February • March • April

As an idyllic destination, Thailand for couples is perfect throughout the year, but the dry season from December to April will give you the best weather across the country for a broader scope of culture, landscape, and activities.

Whether you are eager for a romantic escape to a small archipelago or wish to visit a seductive jungle hideaway, want to shop like a local in a floating market or wander through history in a preserved archeological complex, a visit during the dry season leaves room for it all.

Best Months: January • February • March

Thailand is an endless adventure, with captivating scenery, especially during the dry season months from January to March.

This time of year gives you plenty of time to explore national parks, kayak on the crystalline waters, search for protected marine life, or lounge on island shores.

From Bangkok to secluded mountain villages, you can search for wildlife and experience local culture for a wide range of experiences.

Activities: Hiking • Scuba • Snorkeling • Food Tours • Beach

Best Months: July • August

The rainy season in Thailand is still a great time to discover a different side of life in the country, especially in July and August.

The possibility of rain can keep many tourists away, which means small or no crowds in some of the country's most popular destinations.

Yet even in the “rainy season”, you can enjoy superb experiences of the culture and sun-drenched beaches in places like Bangkok, Koh Samui, and the Gulf of Thailand’s eastern seaboard.

Activities: Temples • Shopping • Food Tour • Famous Markets

Thailand is the ultimate getaway in any season, captured in colorful scenery, lively culture, and remarkable history, with an endless list of things to do. Knowing the type of experiences you want will help you decide the best time to scuba off Koh Tao or trek to see elephants in Khao Yai National Park.

Our Thailand travel guide can give you more information on the best way to craft your perfect trip, before finding examples of ways you can explore the country with our Thailand tours and vacations.