The climate and the best time to travel to Thailand
The Asian state of Thailand and its numerous islands are exposed to a special climate. Located on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, monsoon winds affect the tropical climate . Therefore, it makes sense to divide the Kingdom of Thailand into two climate zones: Northern Thailand and Southern Thailand.
According to VAULTEDWATCHES, Thailand’s north is enclosed by the states of Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. There is no access to the sea in northern Thailand. Nevertheless, the north attracts thousands of tourists with popular travel destinations such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The best time to travel to Northern Thailand is from November to February . During this time, thanks to the northwest monsoon, temperatures up to a maximum of 33 degrees Celsius prevail. For Europeans, the heat of up to 40 degrees Celsius in the months of March to May is almost unbearable. The rainy season in northern Thailand is from June to October.
In southern Thailand the weather conditions are not as fluctuating as in the north. The south is not influenced by monsoons, but attracts with beautiful stretches of beach on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. This makes it all the more attractive for tourists. Thailand’s most popular travel destinations Bangkok, Phuket, Khao Lak and Koh Samui are located in the south of the kingdom. The best time to travel to southern Thailand is November to March , although the weather on the various islands can fluctuate.
Best travel time for Northern Thailand
Northern Thailand: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae
Climate table for Northern Thailand
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperature in ° C | 30 | 33 | 35 | 36 | 36 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 |
| Min. Temperature in ° C | 14 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 19 |
| Hours of sunshine per day | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Rainy days per month | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 1 |
Best time to travel Northern Thailand: November to February
Meteorologists divide the weather conditions in northern Thailand into three seasons : the cool and hot seasons and the rainy season. The cool season is between November and February . Here in the north the temperatures drop to 14 degrees, which brings you cold nights, especially in January and February. The maximum temperature in the cool season is around 33 degrees. The wonderful thing about this time of year is the drought . For this reason, the cool season is considered the best time to travel to northern Thailand . In the months of March to May, meteorologists speak of the hot season in northern Thailand. The average temperatures are around 30 degrees and maximum temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius are often reached. The hot season is hard to bear for the average European, so it is not recommended for a vacation.
The rainy season in northern Thailand is from June to October. During this time there are pleasant temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, but you have to expect small to large rain showers on some days. Because of this little misery, the prices for Thailand travel in the rainy season drop enormously. It only rains an average of one to two hours a day, mostly in the afternoon. You can enjoy the rest of the time wonderfully in pleasant and dry weather. Thus, the months of June to October are the best travel time for bargain hunters who want to spend an unforgettable vacation in northern Thailand.
The best travel time for Northern Thailand at a glance:
- November:
31 ° C, 8 hours of sunshine, 3 rainy days, 76% humidity - December:
30 ° C, 9 hours of sunshine, 1 rainy day, 74% humidity - January:
30 ° C, 9 hours of sunshine, 1 rainy day, 67% humidity - February:
33 ° C, 9 hours of sunshine, 1 rainy day, 47% humidity
Best travel time for central Thailand
Central Thailand: Bangkok, Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand, River Kwai, Nakhon Nayok (Khao Yai National Park)
Climate table for central Thailand
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperature in ° C | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 |
| Min. Temperature in ° C | 21 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 20 |
| Hours of sunshine per day | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Water temperature in ° C | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
| Rainy days per month | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 5 | 1 |
Best travel time for central Thailand: November to March
Central Thailand belongs to the southern Thailand climate zone. It includes the capital Bangkok and the popular island of Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand . In central Thailand , the rainy season is from May to October . This is the best time to come here. In the rainy season you can expect average temperatures of around 28 degrees in central Thailand.
If you would like it to be drier and warmer, you should visit central Thailand from January to March . With daytime temperatures between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius, these months are the best time to travel to central Thailand. But you can also spend a great time in Bangkok or other central places in Thailand in November and December .
With an average of eight hours of sunshine per day and an air temperature of around 30 degrees Celsius, nothing stands in the way of a city trip or a beach holiday in central Thailand.
The best travel time for central Thailand at a glance:
- November :
31 ° C, 8 hours of sunshine, 27 ° C water., 5 rain., 71% air humidity. - December :
30 ° C, 8 hours of sunshine, 26 ° C water., 1 rain., 60% air humidity. - January :
32 ° C, 9 hours of sunshine, 26 ° C water., 1 rain., 59% air humidity. - February :
33 ° C, 9 hours of sunshine, 27 ° C water., 1 rain., 63% air humidity. - March :
34 ° C, 9 hours sun, 27 ° C water., 2 rain., 62% air humidity.