Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. Friendly people, incredible cuisine and beautiful tropical islands, whilst the weather in Thailand has earned it an enviable reputation. Bangkok itself vies with London every year for the number one place on the list of the worlds most popular tourist destinations. The weather in Thailand sees just two seasons the wet and the dry, temperatures remain high throughout the year. In the south the thin strip of the Thai peninsula proves to be the exception to the rule, with the east and west side having a more monsoon climate, than the tropical climate of the rest of the country. Neither side generally has the same weather as the other, meaning that you will be able to find the sun simply by driving across from east to west or vice versa. It is worth remembering that the wet months will make parts of rural Thailand off limits, as roads become impassable.
The best season for here is between the months of November and February. To the north, the dry season is between November and May, with the rest of the year experiencing heavy rains and cooler temperatures. In the south the west coast has a longer wet season April to October than the east, which runs from September to November. So the east experiences a full 8 months of hot dry weather. The weather in Thailand really is terrific.
The country has three main areas Northern and Central Thailand, The gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea area. However, to make these weather maps easier to understand we have grouped them slightly differently, preferring instead to go for North, Central and Southern Thailand. The weather in Thailand is not always easy to describe when sticking to the geographical map of the country.
| Month | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Numbers | 2,282,568 | 2,075,304 | 2,018,008 | 1,934,841 | 1,670,840 | 1,491,300 | 1,896,098 | 2,084,839 | 1,869,491 | 2,207,775 | 2,425,123 | 2,853,476 |
Northern and Central Thailand
The main land mass of Thailand is the Northern and Central Region. It is home to the famous rice growing areas of the country and the vast majority of the population live in rural areas. To the north, the mountains around the pretty cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provide a cooler respite from the country’s often searing heat. In the northeast the huge area of Isaan provides a third of Thailand’s population. These people are of ethnic Lao origin and have over the years mixed with the Khmer to form a distinctive ethnic grouping that speak the Isaan language. To the south of the region the countries capital city, Bangkok is home to around 10 million people and receives approximately 18 millions visitors per year. Many cite the main reason for coming as the weather in Thailand.
Destinations include: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi and Issan
Gulf of Thailand
The seaside resorts of Cha Am and Hua Hin are close enough together to visit both in one day. Hua Hin has for years been the favoured resort for Thailand’s Royal Family. Being just a 90 minute drive away from Bangkok, it is also a popular getaway for both expats and locals living in the capital. Many of the islands in this region are delightful tourist spots and offer everything from the tranquil beaches of Koh Tao to the uproarious, world famous monthly Full Moon Parties of Koh Phan Ngan. Thousands of young revellers flock here every month to party all night long on the main beach. Tourism in this region is the main source of economic growth and occupation. Koh Samui has both the lively Chewang Beach and the more sedate areas around the Big Buddha Beach.
Destinations include: Cha Am, Hua Hin, Koh Chang, Koh Phan Ngan, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Pranburi
Andaman Sea
This is arguably the most beautiful region of Thailand. It includes Phuket with its rows of girlie bars, great seafood and fabulous beaches. After Bangkok this is the most popular tourist destination in the country. Koh Phi Phi has risen from the devastating effects of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and Tsunami which totally destroyed huge parts of the islands. Visiting today, it is impossible to believe how it has recovered. Some of the islands in this region have what many regard as the finest beaches in all of Southeast Asia. Typically white sandy strips of beach, fringed with palm trees and glorious crystal clear blue seas. The islands provide some truly great diving experiences and water sport activities, whilst the weather in Thailand makes this one of the world’s great destinations.
Destinations include: Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, Khao Lak, Koh Lanta
North of Thailand
The north experiences perfect weather at this time with cool temperatures and no rainfall. This is an ideal time to visit the city of Chiang Mai with average temperatures staying around the 22ºC mark.
South of Thailand
This is the end of the wet season and there will be the odd shower, particularly on the east coast. Both coasts at this time of the year are experiencing a cooling breeze, which keeps the average temperatures down to about 28ºC. It is worth remembering that high tides in January can sometimes mean that there is very little beach left upon which to sunbathe.
North of Thailand
This region has some of its best weather of the year at this time. The air is cool and very fresh and with average temperatures of just 24ºC, Chiang Mai in particular is best visited at this time of year.
South of Thailand
On both coasts and the islands you can expect to find very little rain, what few showers there may be will be confined to the east coast. Average temperates are approximately 28ºC, kept down by a cooling breeze.
North of Thailand
The north experiences perfect weather at this time with cool temperatures and no rainfall. This is an ideal time to visit the city of Chiang Mai with average temperatures staying around the 22ºC mark.
South of Thailand
Both coasts at this time of the year are experiencing a cooling breeze which keeps the average temperatures down to about 28ºC. It is worth remembering that high tides in January can sometimes mean that there is very little beach left upon which to sunbathe.
North of Thailand
Temperatures are starting to rise now and even up in the north average temperatures above 30ºC are not unusual. Chiang Mai experiences some of its hottest weather of the year in April.
South of Thailand
Bangkok’s streets are starting to get very hot indeed during this month with average temperatures reaching 38ºC, there is though still no rain at this time of the year.
North of Thailand
The good weather remains in the north with average temperatures of around 31ºC. This area is slowly getting ready for the wet season and showers can be expected towards the end of the month.
South of Thailand
The south enjoys continued hot weather with the average temperatures being somewhere around 33ºC. There is an increase in the chances of rainfall on the west coast, not normal heavy but showers starting to appear. Meanwhile on the east very little rain is expected at this time.
North of Thailand
This is normally when we see the start of the wet season. The real monsoon rains don’t get going yet but there should start to be regular downpours towards the end of the month. Average temperatures should remain around 31ºC.
South of Thailand
This is normally when we see the start of the wet season. The real monsoon rains don’t get going yet but there should start to be regular downpours towards the end of the month. Average temperatures will be around the 34ºC mark at this time. The east coast will be dryer than the west throughout June.
North of Thailand
As the monsoon season starts to develop, the rains will increase in frequency and quantity. This has a pleasant cooling effect on the air and temperatures start to fall to a about 29ºC.
South of Thailand
In the south, the two sides of the Thai peninsula experience different weather patterns. On the west the average temperatures will be 29ºC with mainly dry days. However on the east the temperatures are a little cooler with averages of 27ºC and there will be more chance of rain.
North of Thailand
This is the wettest time of the year normally with Chiang Mai in particular getting its heaviest rains of the year. Humidity is high and though the average temperature will fall to around 28ºC it won’t feel any cooler.
South of Thailand
Whilst both sides of the peninsula experience average temperatures of 27ºC, the east will have some rainfall, though it is starting to diminish, whereas the west will get its heaviest rains of the year.
North of Thailand
This is the wettest month in Thailand when looking at the averages for all areas. Thunderstorms crop up throughout the country and can be quite spectacular at times. The north experiences average temperatures of around 26ºC.
South of Thailand
This is the wettest month in Thailand when looking at the averages for all areas. Thunderstorms crop up throughout the country and can be quite spectacular at times. The South experiences average temperatures of around 28ºC. Beach conditions at this time are the worst of the year.
Central Thailand
This is the wettest month in Thailand when looking at the averages for all areas. Thunderstorms crop up throughout the country and can be quite spectacular at times. The central Region experiences average temperatures of around 27ºC. It might be possible to find some beach days at Hua Hin.
North of Thailand
This should signal the beginning of the end for Thailand’s wet season. As we move through the month the rains should start to recede and as winter starts in the north and central regions average temperatures will drop to around 25ºC.
South of Thailand
Rainfall remains high through the region with the beaches of Koh Chang offering the best chances of some decent beach conditions. Average temperatures will be about 26ºC.
North of Thailand
Finally the rains leave us and the start of the dry season is underway. Humidity levels drop as the cooler air comes into play. Average temperatures will be around 24ºC at this time.
South of Thailand
Temperatures throughout the region will be around 26-28ºC with the west side of the peninsula receive the slightly better and warmer weather. However on the islands around Koh Samui heavy rainfall is still on the agenda. Water levels are very high at this time of year meaning poor beach conditions.
North of Thailand
The dry season is now well under way and all thoughts of rain have disappeared. Average temperatures will be a pleasant 24ºC and the skies will be blue almost every day.
South of Thailand
The whole area is picking up now with average temperatures sitting at about 27ºC. The western side of the peninsula gets the best of it being slightly warmer and completely dry. On the east there is still the odd shower around at the beginning of the month. Again though high tides mean little dry sand on many beaches.
| Month | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Numbers | 2,282,568 | 2,075,304 | 2,018,008 | 1,934,841 | 1,670,840 | 1,491,300 | 1,896,098 | 2,084,839 | 1,869,491 | 2,207,775 | 2,425,123 | 2,853,476 |
