Generally, December to March is the best time to visit Thailand. The downside is that there are some occasional downpours, even on the sunniest days. Avoid visiting Thailand during the rainy season, which is from May to October.
April to June and September to October are good times for those looking for a more relaxed, less crowded holiday. Boat services to some of the smaller islands are suspended during the low season, but hotel rates are generally lower. April is particularly hot, with more rain in September and October.
Carpets of wild sunflowers bloom on the hills in Mae Hong Son, northern Thailand in November and December. Photo: Thai Airways
Bangkok
Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand, is a popular destination for tourists. The best time to visit Bangkok is from December to January, when the weather is dry, not too hot and the evenings are quite cool when the temperature can drop to around 20 degrees Celsius.
July and August have occasional rain, but the best part is that hotels often have great deals. Avoid April and September - when it's hot and humid.
Night market in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: iStock
Chiang Mai and the North
Northern Thailand has the touristy towns of Chiang Mai and Pai. The climate is cooler and more pleasant than the south. December to February is the best time to visit, with sunny days and cool evenings. So pack extra warm clothes if you are hiking or climbing.
Chiang Mai City. Photo: Chris Schalkx
Sea and islands
The most beautiful islands in the Gulf of Thailand such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao usually have pleasant weather, even in the rainy season. The best time to visit these islands is from January to March. February will be the sunniest month and not too hot.
Koh Tao Island, Thailand. Photo: iStock
If you visit the islands on the west coast of Thailand and the Andaman Sea such as Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi... you should consider planning your trip in December and January. The weather is sunny and there is little rain.
