One of the first questions every traveller asks is: when is the best time to visit Thailand? The short answer is November to February — but the full answer depends on where you’re going, because Thailand’s coasts have opposite seasons. Here’s everything you need to know.
Thailand’s three seasons
- Cool season (November–February): the best all-round time. Comfortable temperatures, low humidity, sunshine and blue skies. It’s peak season, so book ahead.
- Hot season (March–May): very hot, especially in April. Great for the beaches, and home to the famous Songkran water festival in mid-April.
- Green/rainy season (June–October): warm with short, heavy downpours (often just an hour a day). The countryside is lush, waterfalls are full, prices drop and crowds thin out.
The islands have two different seasons
This trips up a lot of first-timers:
- Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi): best November–April.
- Gulf coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao): best February–April and July–September, with its wettest months later in the year.
This is great news: somewhere in Thailand has good beach weather almost year-round. If one coast is rainy, head to the other.
Month-by-month at a glance
- Nov–Feb: the sweet spot. Best weather nationwide; busiest and priciest.
- Mar–May: hot; excellent beaches; Songkran fun in April.
- Jun–Oct: green, cheaper, fewer crowds; full waterfalls; the odd rainy afternoon.
When to see waterfalls
If waterfalls are on your list — like Erawan or Phlio — they’re fullest in the rainy season (July–October), though Erawan’s emerald pools stay beautiful year-round.
Let us match your trip to the season
Tell us your travel dates and we’ll plan a route that follows the good weather — beaches on the right coast, waterfalls at their best, and festivals if you want them. Plan your Thailand trip →
