Thailand is a true travellers dream with spectacular food, culture, sights, tropical landscape and paradise beaches. There is no wonder Thailand attracted almost 40 million tourists in 2019. So, you are one of the many people looking to head to Thai shores for a paradise vacation, but when is the best time to travel to Thailand?
When is the best time to travel to Thailand for good weather?
The dry season in Thailand is November to early March. This is when the temperatures are lower and there is the least rain. This is the perfect time to visit Thailand for exploring the sights, relaxing in resorts ,enjoying water activities and nightlife. This is also known as the high season, when Thailand is at its busiest with tourists.
There some variations to this depending on the location. The high season for Bangkok and Chiang Mai is November to February, whereas the Andaman sea region (Phuket, Phi Phi Islands, Krabi) runs from November to April. January to March and July to September are best for the gulf coast islands of Koh Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Koh Tao. Outside of these months, expect heavy rains and very high temperatures.
With this in mind, prices are much higher, particularly around Christmas and New Year. The popular sights such as James Bond Island, Phi Phi islands and famous temples are particularly crowded during these months.
When is the best time to travel to Thailand on a budget?
The low season runs from July to October is usually the cheapest time to visit. This time of year is known as the Monsoon season, when Thailand experiences very hot and wet weather. Quite often the rain is in short heavy bursts with sunshine in between. But there is also periods of persistent rain and flooding with more cloud cover vs the dry season. This is the best time for discounts and offers on flights and accommodation.
The upside to this weather pattern is Thailand has fewer tourists, and the prices are lower. It can be worth taking advantage of this, if weather is not your top priority, to enjoy the attractions, restaurants and culture with fewer crowds. Be sure to thoroughly plan your trip though, as some islands, attractions etc are closed during these months. There is also a greater risk of travel disruption particularly if travelling by boat.
The Shoulder Season
April, May and June are know as the ‘shoulder season’ where there are more deals on accommodation and flights. This can be a good time to take advantage of the deals as the weather is transitioning in to the low season, it can still be pleasant. The crowds are beginning reduce which make it a good time for island hopping and sight seeing – as long as you don’t mind some slightly wetter and hotter weather than the dry season months, you have a better chance of avoiding the summer monsoons.
Best time to travel to Thailand for festivals and culture
March to June can be a good time to visit Thailand to experience its culture and festivals. This also coincides with the ‘shoulder season’ when there are more travel deals and discounts.
In March there is the Thailand International Balloon Festival, or head down to Pattaya for the international music festival. April is Songkran, which is Thai New Year. This is a public holiday where locals celebrate with water fights. This makes it a great time to visit for traditional Thai culture. Other festivals during this time include the Chanthaburi Fruit Festival and the Hua Hin Jazz festival is great for music lovers.
A particularly cultural time to visit Thailand is during the Loy Krathong festival on November. This is celebrated by the locals lighting many lanterns and releasing them along rivers to honour water spirits. Chang Mai is a great place to experience this festival.
When is the best time to visit Bangkok?
No trip to Thailand is complete without visiting its incredible capital city, Bangkok. Bangkok is a hot and humid city, with frequent tropical downpours. The ‘dry’ season runs from November to February, where the showers are reduced to short sharp bursts followed by sunshine. This is also a cooler time to visit making it easier to navigate the city on foot.
Visiting the city during this time also makes it a perfect combination for travelling on to resorts in islands such as Phuket, Koh Samui or Krabi.
When is the best time to travel to Thailand? Conclusion.
The answer to this question depends on the nature of the trip. For enjoying beaches and sights, stick to the dry season. If you don’t mind a little rain, more cloudy weather and want to save money then travel during the low season. Stick to the shoulder season for a compromise of weather and budget. Depending on your preference, there is never a bad time to visit Thailand. Just avoid the monsoon season if sunny weather, relaxing on beaches and water sports are your thing!