Climate in Thailand

The tropical climate in Thailand is warm and humid, with temperatures averaging 31°C (85°F) all year round. Perfect if you’re on one of the islands with a cooling sea breeze, but in a big city like Bangkok it can be a little stifling. That’s why we recommend starting your holiday with an Easy Going starter pack so you take it easy for the first few days and slowly adjust to the tropical heat.

When you’re planning your Thailand trip you can choose from one of our several travel modules, short travel experiences lasting 2-5 days to build your own itinerary. We’ve split our modules into different categories based on geographical location. You can choose from Northern, Central or Southern Thailand. Because Thailand has several different climate zones, it’s fine to travel all year round depending on which area you’re going to. Generally the driest months are December – May, ideal for all types of activities. Keep in mind though it’s a lot busier this time of year, particularly December and January. Travellers that come to Thailand for a tropical beach holiday (popular around Christmas) will usually head south where you’ll find most of the idyllic islands and paradise beaches. Below is an overview of the climate per region. If you'd like more help on how to plan your Thailand itinerary, just give us a call on 01273-322040 or drop us an email.

Weather for temples or trekkings?

Midday heat shimmering above the tarmac as the frenzied honking of the tuk-tuks mixes with serene temple bells. Sawadee ka in Thailand. The moment you step off the plane in Bangkok you’ll know you’re in Asia. Temperatures in this part of the country average 30C which makes it fine to travel all year round. Most of the rain falls in the months of May – September but it’s usually in the form of the occasional refreshing shower at the end of the day. The local guides know what to expect during monsoon season and the activities in our modules and itineraries will be planned keeping the rains in mind which means you’ll be back in your bungalow sipping on a drink before the daily downpour.

Northern Thailand doesn’t have a real monsoon season, so this area is fine to travel to all year round as well. There may be the odd shower from August - October but because the temperatures are cooler here than in other parts of the country, they usually pass quickly. The hottest months are April – May, when temperatures can reach 35C. Keep this in mind if you’re planning a trek during this period. A two-day trek in the stifling heat is very hard work.

Bikini or anorak...?

The rainy season in the south lasts longer than that of north and central Thailand. This means that your planning needs a little more attention if you're heading south and hoping for sunshine. Judging the climate in Thailand correctly will hopefully mean you won't be caught in a monsoon while you're trying to sunbathe, as both your book and your spirits would get soggy. Generally speaking most of the rain falls along the south-west coast. The small rainy season starts in May, when rains showers can be infrequent and unpredictable. You could have a couple of days of continuous downpour followed by a couple of days of clear blue skies. It doesn’t mean you need to avoid the area during this period, but do expect to spend the odd day sightseeing in between your sunny days on the beach. This monsoon season lasts until mid June. Then the monsoon starts again in August and peaks in October. Not the best time of year to go to Phuket, Krabi or Ko Raya. Around November the south-west will see more sunshine as the monsoon moves south-east. Ko Samui and the surrounding area will bear the full brunt of the November rains so don't expect bikini weather until December, when it's generally sunny everywhere. If you’re planning on visiting Ko Chang, best time to travel is October – April. For an overview of what weather to expect throughout the year, see the table below:

Thailand's regional climate chart
Climate in Thailand

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

North

Mostly sunny

Sun cloud

Sun & cloud

Heavy rain, sun

Sun clouds

Sun some cloud

Central

Mostly sunny

Sun cloud

Sun & cloud

Heavy rain, sun

Rain sun clouds

Sun some cloud

South West
(Phuket side)

Mostly sunny

Sun rain cloud

Sun & cloud

Heavy rain, sun

Rain sun clouds

Sun & clouds

Sun some cloud

South East
(Samui side)

Mostly sunny

Sun cloud

Sun & cloud

Sun & clouds

Sun rain clouds

Heavy rain, sun

Sun some cloud

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