Thailand can be visited on several kinds of trips, from a cultural tour to discover cities and cultures, to a seaside trip on its beautiful beaches. When should you plan your joruney and when is the best weather?
We will try to answer these questions.
When to go to Thailand
Climate in Thailand can be described as tropical and humid, in most of the country and during most of the year. The area north of Bangkok has a climate that can be divided into three seasons, while the southern part of Thailand only has two.
In the north of Thailand the seasons are clearly defined. From November to May the climate is generally dry. In this period, in February and March, temperatures may be the highest of the year. From November to May instead, also due to the monsoon of the north-east of the country, weather is windier. The other season goes from May to November and is dominated by the monsoon of the south-east of the country, making rainfalls in the north more frequent.
The southern area of Thailand only has two seasons - one dry and one wet. These seasons do not come simultaneously on the eastern and western side of the peninsula. On the western coast the south-west monsoon brings rain and often heavy storms from April to October, while on the eastern coast the wet season takes place from September to December. On the whole the southern areas of Thailand are far rainier than the central and northern ones.
Which is the best period to visit Thailand?
Generally, the best period to visit Thailand is from November to February, when the north-east monsoon brings cool air, offering a break from the exhausting heat of the other months.
When to go to Bangkok
During this cold season, temperatures range from 18 to 32° in Bangkok, while in the north of Thailand temperatures can become quite low with a minimum of 12° at nighttime and 20° during the day.
The summer period, or the dry hot season, is from March to June. In this period average temperatures in Bangkok reach around 34° and usually 40°, with 75% of humidity levels.
April is certainly the hottest month in the country: unless you decide to spend all day at the seaside, it is not a good idea to visit Thailand in this period.
From July to October rainfalls are most frequent and average temperatures in Bangkok reach around 29°. Humidity levels in this period are very high and the climate in this season is generally unpredictable, with constant rain during the central months.
When to visit Chiang Mai
Being in the north of Thailand, Chiang Mai is generally cooler and less humid than Bangkok. Also in this case rainfalls concentrate from May to October.
When to visit Phuket
In Phuket the hottest period, with maximum average temperatures around 34° and minimum around 25°, is from March to April. The wet season goes from May to October.
When to visit Kho Samui
Situated in the Gulf of Thailand, temperatures in Kho Samui are very similar to those in Phuket, but rainfalls are less heavy. The wet season goes from October to December, while the driest months are those between January and April.
This said, Thailand is a country that can be visited all year round and usually rainfalls, especially in the islands, only last a few hours, after which the sun shines again. When temperatures are so high, a bit of cool air is certainly welcome.
