Hello, everyone, this is Jas Sodhi from Delhi. I have plans to visit Thailand, but have no idea about the weather there or when the best time to visit would be. I would like the members to help me decide what the best time to visit Thailand would be. It would be good to take into consideration the weather as mentioned, the festivals there, best time that one can do water activities, etc. Do different parts of Thailand have different weather just like in India, or does the majority of Thailand have the same weather?
Hello and welcome to the forum! So generally, Thailand's seasons are almost the same all throughout the country although there are some regional differences. For identifying the different weather variations in Thailand, we can refer to the four-regions of classification system: Northern Thailand (Yellow) Northeastern Thailand (Orange) Central Thailand and East Thailand (Light Green and Green) Southern Thailand (Blue) Here's a map of the certain regions in Thailand so you'd have a clear picture of their locations: Now, let us differentiate the seasons for each region: 1. Northern Thailand (Yellow) - Like most of Thailand, the Northern part experiences a tropical savanna climate all-year round. But because of its location and higher altitude, the region receives cooler winters as well as a lower variation in temperature all-year round. It is typically 3°C to 5°C in temperature lower than other regions in Thailand. It typically experiences three seasons: Winter - This is from October to February. Temperatures range between 11°C to 36°C, with the months of December and January being the coldest. If you travel to the higher altitude areas, there are some minimal temperature variations like mentioned before. This is typically the best time to visit the Northern region as the cooler climate is a great time for sightseeing and participating in various activities. Summer - This is from March to April. Temperatures vary between 20°C to 38°C, with the months of March and April being the hottest. Although it is hot, the Songkran Festival happens during the summer month of April. You'd get drenched in water as per the tradition of the locals in Thailand which can somehow cool the hot climate. Monsoon - This is from May to September. This is when rain showers occur in the region. However, a unique feature of the rains in the Northern region is that they pour for about 30 minutes to an hour at the most. After that, you get sunshine again so it's not a bad time to visit this part of Thailand during this time. Temperatures range between 14°C to 28°C during these months. 2. Northeastern Thailand (Orange) - With the Northeastern region, it has almost the same weather cycle as the Northern region. The difference is that it might have higher temperatures because it's situated at a lower area. Winter - This is from October to February. Temperatures range between 15°C to 38°C, with the months of December and January being the coldest. Rains are rare to occur during this time and it's a great time to visit the region especially if you intend to do a lot of sightseeing. Summer - This is from March to April. Temperatures vary between 25°C to 39°C, with the months of March and April being the hottest. Despite the heat, many festivals occur in the Northeastern region during this time. During March, the Bun Phawet Festival, dedicated to Buddha, is held. Another festival held during this time is the Miracle Phanom Rung, held in April, which celebrates gods and celestial beings. The Dok Khung Siang Khaen Songkran Festival is also held here, just like in the Northern region. So if you'd like to witness these local traditions, then you can visit the region during summer, just make sure you hydrate yourself and bring extra clothes. Monsoon - This is from May to September. Although the Northeastern part receives moderate to heavy rainfall, don't let that stop you from visiting it. During this time, the entire region is enveloped in greenery because of its surrounding forests and paddies. If you're a nature lover, then consider this time to visit Northeastern Thailand. 3. Central Thailand and East Thailand (Light Green and Green) - The difference in this region is that summer is a bit earlier here. Aside from that, humidity is constant all-year round so be prepared for that. Winter - This is from October to January. Temperatures range between 25°C to 30°C, with the months of December and January being the coldest. The winter provides some relief to the locals and tourists alike although as mentioned above, humidity is still there. These are the best months for visiting the beaches along the East Coast of the region and enjoying swimming as well as water sports. Sightseeing is also a great idea with the weather being just right for travelling in and around the region. Summer - This is from February to June. Temperatures vary between 24°C to 38°C, with the months of March and April being the hottest. April is the hottest month and temperatures during this time can reach beyond 40°C. It's also a good time to visit the beaches to get some relief from the heat. The Pattaya International Music Festival also happens during this time, in the month of March. Artists from different countries are invited for this event. Other festivals like the Songkra Festival and the Chinese New Year are also celebrated during this time. Monsoon - This is from July to September. Rain in this region is frequent and can sometimes be very strong. Consider avoiding the beaches during this time as they're bound to have high and strong waves. However, the Floral Offerings Festival is held during this time, in which locals offer flowers to the Buddhist monks. Folk dances and cultural performances are held during this festival too. 4. Southern Thailand (Blue) - The difference with this part of Thailand is that it only has two seasons: summer and monsoon. Summer - Summer season varies in the different parts of Southern Thailand. The Western part generally experiences dry season from November to April. The Eastern part experiences summer between January to October. Phuket, in the West coast of the region, has the annual International Blues Rock Festival during the month of February. Thai and international bands perform in this festival. The Sea Turtle Release Festival is also held on the Western part of Southern Thailand, in which you can see turtles being brought back to their home. This is also the best time for water sports as the water of the beaches are calm and the weather is pleasant. Monsoon - The monsoon season also varies depending on the region in Southern Thailand. In the Western part, monsoon is from May to October. In the Eastern part, monsoon is from September to December. Rain showers are typically short but intense. It's not a good time to visit the region as boating from one island to another can be dangerous with the intense waves and rains. I hope this helps!
I visited Northern Thailand during Monsoon season, which falls between May to September. It had showers on and off but the sun almost always broke through after each rain. It was humid, but absolutely beautiful! Even though it is a landlocked region, there are plenty of lakes and rivers with water activities such as river rafting, canoeing, and swimming. We hiked at the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. The park had a huge waterfall and ravine to swim in below. There are many places like this around Northern Thailand, where you can trek and adventure outdoors.
