Country guide
Thailand
Bangkok's street food, northern temples and islands on two coasts; November to February is the classic cool, dry window.
Currency
THB
Language
Thai
English
Widely spoken
Payment
Cash preferred
Power
Type A / B / C / O
230 V, 50 Hz
Dialing
+66
Destinations
Ayutthaya
The capital Siam lost: four hundred years of kings, ended by one siege and left standing in brick.
✓ best Nov-JanBangkok
One of the world's great eating cities, with gilded temples, rooftop bars and round-the-clock markets in the same few square kilometres.
✓ best Dec-FebChiang Mai
A moat-ringed Lanna old city under a mountain temple, with the food and slow living to keep you far longer than planned.
✓ best Nov-FebKoh Samui
Thailand's most complete beach island: international flights, world-class spas and quiet boutique bays on one coast, all-night Chaweng on the other.
✓ best Jan-AprPhuket
The Andaman's front door: beach resorts, cheap street food and limestone islands, all within an hour of one airport.
✓ best Dec-MarThe sweet-spot windows
Good weather, thinner crowds, better prices: the windows worth aiming for.
| Where | When | Why it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andaman | Nov, late Apr | Shoulder of peak: dry weather, thinner crowds than Dec-Feb | Nov can still get late-season rain |
| Gulf | Feb-Apr | Driest period, warm seas, avoids peak-season surcharge | Songkran (Apr) = local holiday crowds |
| The north (Chiang Mai, Pai) | Nov, early Dec | Cool, post-monsoon, green landscapes, Loy Krathong. No smoke. | Gets busy fast after mid-Dec |
Climate zones, month by month
Thailand has 5 distinct climate zones. The right month depends on where in the country you're going.
Ayutthaya Central Plains →
✓ Best Nov-Jan
Watch for Feb-Apr haze risk · Mar-Jun extreme heat risk
Cards tinted by calculated verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Bangkok →
✓ Best Dec-Feb · ✗ Avoid Apr, Jun-Oct
Conditions Jan Cool & dry · Feb Warm & dry · Mar Hot & hazy · Apr Extreme heat · May Early rains · Jun-Aug Monsoon · Sep Heavy rain · Oct Flooding risk · Nov Rains easing · Dec Cool & dry
Watch for Jan-Mar haze risk · Apr-May extreme heat risk · Sep-Oct monsoon flooding risk
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Chiang Mai →
✓ Best Nov-Feb · ✗ Avoid Mar-Apr, Jun-Sep
Conditions Jan Cool season · Feb Dry & warm · Mar Burning season · Apr Smoke & heat · May Early rains · Jun Wet season · Jul Monsoon · Aug Heavy rain · Sep Monsoon peak · Oct Rains easing · Nov Cool & clear · Dec Cool season
Watch for Feb-Apr haze risk · Mar-Apr extreme heat risk
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Koh Samui Gulf Islands →
✓ Best Jan-Apr · ✗ Avoid Oct-Dec
Conditions Jan Drying out · Feb Driest month · Mar Dry & warm · Apr Warm & calm · May Some rain · Jun-Jul Brief showers · Aug Some rain · Sep Rainy spells · Oct Monsoon · Nov Monsoon peak · Dec Heavy rain
Watch for Apr-Jun, Oct-Dec cyclones & hurricanes risk · Oct-Dec monsoon flooding risk
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Phuket Andaman Coast →
✓ Best Dec-Mar · ✗ Avoid May-Oct
Conditions Jan Peak season · Feb Dry & sunny · Mar Hot & clear · Apr Heating up · May Monsoon starts · Jun Heavy rain · Jul-Aug Monsoon · Sep Monsoon peak · Oct Heavy rain · Nov Rains easing · Dec Dry returns
Watch for Apr-Jun, Oct-Dec cyclones & hurricanes risk · Aug-Oct monsoon flooding risk
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions