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Thailand Climate and Weather Overview |
Known for its tropical beaches, Thailand is a large country with
high temperatures and humidity along with a monsoon season that is
responsible for its lush jungle environment. The attraction of its
beautiful beaches, jungles, royal palaces and temples makes
Thailand a must-see location for all.
It is recommended that the best time to visit Thailand is from
November to March as the monsoon season is over and the hot
temperatures are yet to arrive. The climate and weather, combined
with the festivals and events that occur in Thailand at this time,
make November to March an excellent time to visit the country and
the perfect conditions to work on your tan, snorkel or visit the
local markets and tourist attractions. Although temperatures can
reach very high numbers, beachwear should stay on the beach.
Informal dress is acceptable in Thailand, however short or
revealing clothes in major cities should be avoided out of respect.
Modesty is important! If you are planning on exploring the many
luscious jungles Thailand has to offer, make sure to get yourself a
good pair of walking boots and long sleeves to protect against
mosquitos.
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Northern and Central Thailand |
The north and central areas of Thailand have a subtropical
climate. The summer season runs generally from March to June
with northern and central Thailand experiencing high humidity and
little rainfall. Temperatures can soar up to 40°C but average just
below at 37-38°C and there is little rest from the heat at night
time as temperatures drop to just 28-29°C.
The rainy season may begin early in June, but for most of the
north, is from July through to October. For most rainy day, the day
will start off sunny and heavy rains or thunderstorms will arrive
later in the afternoon/evening. The rainy season has more humidity
than the summer season so the rains and thunderstorms provide some,
often much needed, relief from the heat.
The winter season in northern-central Thailand runs from
November to February and is favoured as the most pleasant time to
visit. This is because the weather is cooler (by no means cold) and
humidity drops by 50-60%. The skies are clear and the average daily
temperatures sits between 30-33°C with lows of 20-22°C.
Southern Thailand is located on the Malay Peninsula and has a
tropical climate meaning temperatures tend to remain fairly
constant throughout the year with hot and humid days and nights.
The seasons are less distinct than the rest of Thailand and in
general, there is a dry season and a rainy season. The dates of the
rainy, monsoon season can vary greatly among different regions of
the peninsula.
The rainy season is generally from May to October in the west
and September to December on the eastern side of southern Thailand.
These months will experience short, intense daily downpours.
November to March is considered the best conditions on the west
coast, a cooling wind is present and the humidity levels are lower
than later in the year.
The west coast experiences a very rainy summer. This, weather
usually arrives in April and continues through to October. The
heaviest rainfall is experienced in September and October.
Before these months, rain can often come in a short, heavy
showers, usually in the afternoon.
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East Coast (Gulf of Thailand) |
Thailand's east coast has three defined seasons. December to
February is considered the best conditions with little to no rain
and moderate temperatures. There is a refreshing and often strong
breeze during this time contributing to the pleasant
temperatures.
Temperatures start to rise in March averaging at 29-35°C with
the hottest daily temperatures in April and May. Some rainfall may
begin in June starting off the monsoon season but most often starts
in July. There monsoon weather brings plenty of downpours and high
humidity in August and September and temperatures remain in the
30°C.
Discover below the climate and weather of different
areas of Thailand in more detail...
