Thailand Seasonal Calendar — What's On Each Month

Thailand's Three Seasons

Thailand has three loose seasons, with significant regional variation:

• Cool dry: November to February
  Best weather of the year. Cool by Thai standards (15–32°C depending on region). Andaman seas calm. Northern mountains chilly at night. Highest tourist numbers and prices.
• Hot dry: March to May
  Hot (28–40°C), low rainfall. North has smoke season in March (heavy haze). Andaman seas still calm; Gulf coast pleasant. Songkran in April brings water fights nationwide.
• Wet (monsoon): May to October
  Andaman heavily rainy from May; Gulf less so. North greenest June–September. Afternoon downpours with mostly clear mornings; not constantly rainy. Lowest prices.

Month-by-Month Breakdown

• January
  Weather: Cool dry. Bangkok 22–32°C, Chiang Mai 14–28°C. Andaman calm seas, Phuket 24–30°C.
  Events: Chinese New Year (late Jan/early Feb) — Chinatown Bangkok celebrations. Bo Sang Umbrella Festival in Chiang Mai (3rd weekend).
  Where to go: Andaman beaches (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi). Chiang Mai cool weather. Bangkok comfortable for sightseeing.
• February
  Weather: Cool dry. Smoke begins to creep into Chiang Mai late month. Andaman still excellent.
  Events: Makha Bucha (full moon). Chiang Mai Flower Festival (1st weekend). Phuket Old Town Festival.
  Where to go: Last great Andaman beach month. Avoid northern Thailand if smoke-sensitive. Bangkok pleasant.
• March
  Weather: Hot dry. Bangkok 26–35°C. Smoke in northern Thailand peaks. Andaman still calm.
  Events: ASEAN Barred Ground Dove Festival in Yala. Pattaya International Music Festival.
  Where to go: Southern beaches still good. Avoid the north (heavy smoke). Hua Hin and Cha-am pleasant.
• April
  Weather: Hot. Bangkok 28–38°C. Smoke clears in north by mid-month. Andaman starts to roughen by month end.
  Events: Songkran (April 13–15) — water fight festival nationwide. Chakri Day (April 6).
  Where to go: Songkran in Chiang Mai or Bangkok if you want the experience. Quieter towns for traditional Songkran. Andaman for last calm seas.
• May
  Weather: Hot, increasing humidity. Andaman monsoon begins. Gulf coast still calm.
  Events: Coronation Day (May 4). Visakha Bucha (full moon). Yasothon Rocket Festival (Bun Bang Fai).
  Where to go: Switch to the Gulf Coast — Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Tao. Isaan for cultural festivals.
• June
  Weather: Wet on Andaman, warmer in north. Bangkok afternoon rain. Gulf coast pleasant.
  Events: Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival in Loei (3-day weekend in June or July). Bangkok International Film Festival.
  Where to go: Gulf islands (Koh Samui side). Northern Thailand greenest before serious monsoon. Bangkok for indoor culture.
• July
  Weather: Wet on both coasts but Gulf still better than Andaman. Cool in north (relatively).
  Events: Asalha Bucha + Buddhist Lent (full moon) — alcohol bans on holy days. Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival. Phuket Vegetarian Festival prep.
  Where to go: Gulf coast still your best beach bet. Isaan for festivals. Northern hills are lush green.
• August
  Weather: Wet on Andaman, peak rains in some years. Gulf coast variable. Bangkok daily rain.
  Events: Mother's Day (August 12 — Queen's Birthday). Hungry Ghost Festival (Chinese tradition).
  Where to go: Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Tao. Northern hill country (lush). Bangkok museums and indoor activities.
• September
  Weather: Wet — Andaman monsoon peaks. Gulf coast still better. Bangkok humid daily rain.
  Events: Mid-Autumn Festival (Chinese moon cake festival in Chinatown).
  Where to go: Quietest month for Thai tourism. Koh Tao for diving (whale shark season). Bangkok culture and food. Avoid Andaman.
• October
  Weather: Wet but improving. Andaman monsoon ending. Gulf coast monsoon starting (Oct–Dec).
  Events: Naga Fireball Festival (Phon Phisai, Mekong) — full moon ending Buddhist Lent. Vegetarian Festival (Phuket, 9 days).
  Where to go: Andaman improving by month-end. North is dry and post-monsoon spectacular. Bangkok comfortable again.
• November
  Weather: Cool dry season begins. Andaman calm again. Gulf still rainy. Northern nights cool.
  Events: Loy Krathong + Yi Peng (Chiang Mai) — full moon. Surin Elephant Round-up. Lopburi Monkey Buffet.
  Where to go: Anywhere except the Gulf coast. Chiang Mai for Yi Peng (book ahead). Andaman re-opening for the season.
• December
  Weather: Cool dry peak. Bangkok comfortable. Chiang Mai mornings 12–18°C. Andaman near-perfect.
  Events: King's Birthday (December 5). Constitution Day (December 10). New Year peak.
  Where to go: Peak season everywhere. Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta. Chiang Mai cool weather. Bangkok for New Year. Book months ahead.

Major Annual Festivals

• Songkran (April 13–15) — Thai New Year
  World's biggest water fight. Bangkok and Chiang Mai are chaotic; quieter towns retain traditional water-pouring ceremonies. Public holiday across Thailand.
• Loy Krathong + Yi Peng (Nov full moon)
  Floating krathongs on rivers nationwide. Chiang Mai's Yi Peng adds thousands of paper sky lanterns. Bangkok celebrates along the Chao Phraya. Most beautiful Thai festival.
• Vegetarian Festival (Phuket, October)
  9-day Chinese-Thai vegetarian festival. Body piercing parades and fire-walking ceremonies. Phuket Town becomes meat-free; vegan food everywhere.
• Bun Bang Fai (Yasothon, May)
  Isaan rocket festival. Locals fire enormous PVC rockets to call for rain. Wild village atmosphere.
• Naga Fireball Festival (Mekong, October)
  Mysterious fireballs rise from the Mekong River around full moon. Thousands of Thai pilgrims. Theories range from naga serpents to gas combustion.
• Chinese New Year (late Jan / early Feb)
  Yaowarat (Bangkok Chinatown) celebrates with parades, dragon dances, and red lanterns. Strong celebrations in Phuket and Chiang Mai.