Best time to visit Thailand
It’s the end of November and this year’s tourist season is already well underway. For us Europeans and other inhabitants of the northern hemisphere it’s perfect to escape the cold winter for Thailand’s never ending summer.
According to the majority of people the best time to visit Thailand is from now until the end of February because it’s the coldest time of the year with temperatures sometimes dipping below 20 degrees celsius.
(photo by Ruth Nathalie George)
In fact Thailand has distinct seasons, but they’re different from what we’re used to. In central and northern Thailand there are three seasons:
- Hot season, from the end of February until well into May
- Rainy season, from end of May until end of October
- Cool season, from end of October to February
In southern Thailand there are only two seasons, hot and rainy. The times of these seasons varies from the east to the west coast. The west coast have the most rain from April to October while on the east coast the rainy season lasts from September to December.
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
Temperatures in Thailand can get very hot. Temperatures over 40 degrees celsius aren’t at all uncommon. That’s why most people prefer to go during the cool season, – or dry season in the south, from December until February, thus creating a tourist season.
Not me though, I love the heat. I rejoice when the sweat is running and I have to jump into the pool to cool off. I think there’s no better time to visit Thailand than in April, with easter holiday back home so we can stay longer, Songkran (Thai new year) and school holiday in Thailand.
After April my favorite time to go is in the low season. At this time it’s less crowded and prices of hotel rooms drops quite dramatically.
Normally the rainy season is no problem, at least in northern and central Thailand, with only short bursts of rain in the morning and in the afternoon. That’s only refreshing. You can have bad luck however and experience continous rain for weeks. In the south you have to be more careful, especially if you’re going to the islands. There can be rough seas and the occasional heavy storm.
So in conclusion:
When is the best time to go to Thailand?
ANYTIME!
You can hire a car and driver in Bangkok and go where ever you like in the kingdom of Thailand for the ultimate in flexibility and comfort.
good day to you sir…i was just curious because you posted my friend’s (ruth nathalie george) picture here when she didn’t win your competition i believe…plus she took this pic just this september of thsi year, yet your post is dated 2010…i know that she is not aware of all this, so kindly peovide us some understanding…i feel it may be unfair for her as she loves taking pictures and it seems that winning would’ve meant so much for her yet you posted her picture still…i apologize for this but i just feel that she deserves to know about this from your end…
thank you very much for your time and understanding…more power
Hi Rence. Ruth submitted her photo in our photo contest and in doing so she agreed that we could use her picture in our marketing as long as we gave her the credit where possible (which we have clearly done).
The reason that the new picture was put in an old post is that we update our posts when links are broken, we have better photos etc.
If she has a problem with us using her photo tell her she can e-mail me at:
[email protected]
and we will replace it with another photo.
Hello Frank. Hope this year ends fantastically for you!
Thank you for your prompt reply and understanding. I figured as much =) Rest assured that’ll be explained to her clearly. She does take great pics though even if the only thing she has would be phone cams at that.
May your site continue to flourish and more happy and safe trips 😉
Happy New Year!
Hi Rence. Great, you do that. It really is a nice photo.
Happy New Year to you too 🙂