Weather and climate in Thailand

Different parts of Thailand can have completely different weather at the same time. Let’s find out what the weather is like in Thailand in different months and how the climate differs in different resorts of the country. We will tell you what the weather is like in the resorts by month and when it is better to go on holiday in Thailand.

Climatic features of Thailand

Strictly the weather in Thailand can be divided into 3 periods:

1. Dry season (November to February). During this time, the thermometer is at 23-35 °C. This is the most comfortable season with minimal rainfall and therefore the dry season is the peak tourist season in Thailand.
2. Warm season (March to May). Temperatures rise to 35 °C and above. The high temperatures are compounded by an increase in humidity. The combination of high humidity and heat is quite hard to bear: the temperature feels even higher, it is more difficult to breathe and the body is constantly damp. However, the hot season varies from resort to resort.
3. Wet season (June to October). The season of heavy rainfall and high humidity. The season is influenced by the south-west monsoon, which brings rain. The central and northern parts of the country receive the most rainfall. There is also a lot of rain on the coast, with heavy but short-lived showers.

This is just a general description of the climate in Thailand. If you want to go on holiday in a particular season, it is better to consider in detail the climatic conditions in the chosen resort. For example, the amount of precipitation in August, the middle of the wet season, in Phuket and Samui differs 3 times with the same number of rainy days.

Weather in Thailand in different areas

The climate in different regions of Thailand varies considerably at the same time. This is influenced by different geographical location, landscape and other natural features. Therefore, it is impossible to describe the weather in Thailand by months – the forecast will be true for one part of the country, but false for another.

Northern Thailand

The main provinces in the northern part of Thai are:

• Chiang Mai,
• Chiang Rai,
• Lampang,
• Pai,
• Phayao,
• Mae Hong Son,
• Phrae,
• Nan,
• Uttaradit.

The region is characterised by a varied topography with mountain ranges, valleys and lowlands. The landscape significantly influences the weather of Northern Thailand. The area predominantly has a tropical monsoon climate, but with continental features, especially in the highlands where temperatures are often quite low for Thailand.

In the north of Thailand, 3 seasons are distinguished:

1. Cold Season (November to February). This period is best for travelling. Temperatures at night are between 10 and 25°C and can reach 30-35°C during the day. There is practically no rainfall.
2. Hot season (March to May). The air warms up to 35-40 °C. Humidity increases at this time, but not as much as on the coast. If you want to get a closer look at non-tourist Thailand and make a budget trip, you can choose this season.
3. Rainy season (June to October). The rains come with the monsoons, but there is less rainfall in the mountains. The rains are short but intense, and are most frequent in July and August.

Many areas in northern Thailand have their own microclimate. For example, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park is much cooler than the immediate surroundings. This is due to the difference in altitude and the presence of coniferous forests.

Central Thailand

The central part includes Bangkok, Nakhonsawan, Phetchabun, Lop Buri and other provinces. It is dominated by a tropical and monsoon climate. This means that there are 3 main seasons: dry, hot and humid.

1. Dry season (November to February). Temperatures during this time are 20-30 °C, and can occasionally drop below 20 °C at night. Average humidity and little rainfall. The dry season is the best time to visit Bangkok.
2. Hot season (March to May). During this period, temperatures can reach 35-40 °C. As the temperature increases, the humidity level also increases, creating a feeling of stuffiness. Short rains appear at the end of the season, but this time is not yet considered the rainy season.
3. Wet season (June to October). During this time, the south-west monsoon prevails, which brings heavy rainfall. Humidity during this time is very high and the temperature is 25-35 °C. The downpours are very heavy but end quickly.

You can go to Bangkok and its surroundings at any time: in the high season there are many festivals, in the hot season you can have a budget holiday. In the wet season, Thailand is worth a visit for those who love nature, as the central part of the country and its National Parks are transformed.

Eastern part of Thailand

Eastern Thai is quite diverse. This region includes both resorts like Pattaya, Ko Chang and Ko Samet and remote areas bordering Laos. The East of Thailand is an area with distinct seasons.

The east coast, such as popular resorts such as Pattaya, Ko Chang and Ko Samet, has a tropical monsoon climate with distinct seasons. The border areas with Laos, such as Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani provinces, have a more pronounced continental climate compared to the coast. Here are the main differences in weather between the coast and the mainland:

• the humidity is higher on the coast, while behind the mountain ranges it is lower and the heat is better tolerated;
• rainfall on the coast is less predictable;
• The temperature difference at night is more pronounced in the border areas.

The rainiest months on the east coast are September and October, so many people come here in the summer for a budget holiday. Short rains do not prevent this, and they do not occur every day.

South of Thailand

In the south of Thailand, the climate is tropical, with a pronounced seasonal change. Unlike the rest of the region, there are two main seasons: wet and dry. However, depending on location, the differences can be quite marked, with Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui having very different climates.

Climate in the western part of southern Thailand, where Phuket, Krabi and Satun are located:

1. Dry season (November to April). The temperature during this is 24-33 °C. The dry season starts at the end of November, with December and January being the time when it is best to holiday in Phuket and Krabi. In February and March, the humidity starts to increase, but the weather is not greatly affected.
2. Wet season (May to October). The wet season, which starts in May, is accompanied by heavy rainfall and high humidity. Temperatures range from 25 to 32 °C. The rains are quick in May, but become more frequent and intense towards the end of the month. In June and July, there are heavy tropical downpours and the coast is often hit by severe storms. In July, August and September the rains are almost daily, in October the rains start to subside, the weather becomes more stable and the humidity decreases.

The weather on the east coast of the south, where Samui, Pangan, Songkhla are located, is significantly different. There are also 2 seasons:

1. Dry season (February to September). Temperatures are 24-32 °C and humidity levels are quite low. February and March have the least rainfall, and throughout the dry season the difference between day and night temperatures is almost imperceptible. Unlike other resorts in Thailand, it is possible to relax on the beach in summer – there is not much rain, although in July and August there are strong winds.
2. Wet season (October to January). The rainy season on Koh Samui and Pangan is short, only 4 months. The most rainfall is in November and October. During this time there are rarely sunny days, more often cloudy. Unlike other regions of Thailand, the rains here are not very heavy, but prolonged – it can rain for several days.

When thinking about when is the best time to go on holiday to Thailand, research the climate of the resort. Even relatively close territories can have completely different climates. For example, Phuket and Samui are separated by only 300 kilometres, but it is better to go to the first resort in winter, and to the second – in spring or summer.

Best time to holiday in resorts

The climate and weather varies greatly across Thailand. To make it easier for you to decide when and where to go on holiday, we have highlighted the best seasons in the most popular resorts:

Location	Dry season	Best Time
Bangkok	November – July	December, January, February, March
Ко Samet	November – April	December, January, February, March
Koh Chang	November – March	December, January, February
Krabi	December – April	February и March
Pangan	February – September	February, March, April, May
Pattaya	November – April	December, January, February, March
Phi Phi	January – April	February и March
Phuket	December – April	January, February, March
Samui	January – September	February, March, April, May
Hua Hin	November – August	December, January, February, March

Thailand is a country where you can go at any time. Although it rains in most areas in the summer, Samui, Pangan and Hua Hin are sunny and beachy. In winter you can holiday in Phuket, Pattaya or Krabi.