Finding the right travel time for your Thailand vacation is not so easy. Thailand is a very large country that stretches over several thousand kilometers to the north and south. As a destination, it has a lot to offer both culturally and scenically. The cultural diversity is reflected in the breathtaking palaces, impressive temples and fascinating ruins. In addition, there are also endless, gorgeous beaches to be discovered along the coast.
In principle, Thailand can be visited all year round due to its diverse regions. However, the climate is characterized by the monsoon winds and thus brings certain rainy and dry phases, which is why there are three seasons: the dry, rainy and transitional seasons.
Weather and climate
The best time to travel is in the months from November to February, because here the risk of heavy rain is very low. In addition, in this period the sun shines the most and the temperatures are not too high, due to the northeast monsoon.
Due to the three seasons, a phase then follows between March and May with very high temperatures of up to 40 °C. These differences are due to the monsoon winds.
Then, in the months of May to October, the southwest monsoon occurs and brings with it the rainy season. During this time there is heavy rainfall, but this does not mean that it rains in torrents all day.
Here, too, climate change is making itself increasingly felt, which is why the rainy and dry phases are shifting more and more. This also means that the weather is more difficult to plan in advance.
Overview for individual regions
Due to the diverse regions, the weather differs depending on the travel area, so below are the best times to travel for each region.
Region | Best time to travel |
Koh Samui, Ko Phangan, Koh Tao | December till April |
Phuket | November till February |
Northern Thailand | November till March |
Bangkok | November till March |
Central Thailand | November till March |
Thailand in the dry season
During the dry season in Thailand, the northeast monsoon occurs. During this time it is usually somewhat cooler and drier. The average temperature in this phase is between 26 and 29 °C. Isolated rain showers can occur, but the risk is rather low. However, if there are showers, they are usually short and heavy. The dry season usually extends over the period from November to February.
Thailand in the rainy season
The rainy season is mostly in the months from May to October. During this time, the southwest monsoon occurs. Here there are short but heavy rain showers that last between 1 and 2 hours a day. Or it rains the whole night through. Due to the rainy season there can be a very high humidity of up to 90 %. Temperatures are also very high during this time. Most precipitation falls in the month of October.
However, traveling to Thailand during the rainy season can also be advantageous. Most tourists prefer to travel in the dry season, which is why there are usually fewer tourists during the rainy season. In addition, you have a larger selection of mostly cheaper accommodations and also the flights are cheaper. Basically, you can save a lot of money in the rainy season. Also, the landscape shines in richer green tones and appears even more impressive.
Thailand in the transition period
The months of March to May are characterized by very high temperatures. These can rise up to 40 °C. Basically, the climate during this time is very hot and humid. If there are also rain showers during this time, the humidity also increases.
Conclusion
Basically, Thailand can be visited all year round. However, you should pay attention to the different dry, rainy and transitional seasons in the respective regions that you want to visit. Because here it can come to strong temperature rises and rain showers. Apart from the high temperatures, there is also a lot to see culturally and scenically. A trip is therefore worthwhile at any time.
Do you want to get to know Thailand better and experience it first hand? Then come with us to our next Thailand round trip. We look forward to seeing you!
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