When’s the best time to visit Thailand?

When’s Thailand’s hot season?

During the months of January and April, you'll be guaranteed sunshine-filled days - with temperatures reaching up to 34 degrees - so it’s ideal for beach lovers. January is generally the least humid month, while February and March are the driest and sunniest. Plus, during the hot season you’ll be able to visit must-seeg World Heritage Sites, like the Similan Islands. As they’re UNESCO protected, this cluster of islets in the Andaman Sea are only open to the public between November and April, so it’s the perfect time to visit.

When’s Thailand’s rainy season?

Thailand’s rainy months are between March and October. Some days are continuously warm and sunny as normal, while others will have you running indoors from a sudden shower. Don’t let that put you off, though. When it does rain in Thailand, it’s usually in the late afternoon or evening, and it only lasts for a few hours at a time. Plus, the rain is a great way to keep cool and combat the humidity, so it's not all bad news.

Make the lost of your time in Thailand and find out the best places to visit.

When’s it quietest in Thailand?

Did you know nearly a million British tourists flock to Thailand each year? It’s not hard to see why, either. With tasty traditional cuisine, pristine beaches and plenty of postcard-worthy sights up its sleeve, the Land of Smiles is one of the most popular destinations for all kinds of travellers. But, if you’re looking to escape the crowds, you should visit Thailand between May and September. Humidity and temperature levels will have dropped – and prices are generally lower, too. And although you can't be sure of full days of sunshine, the temperatures can still reach a toasty 34 degrees.

Loy Krathong Festival – November

Loy Krathong is Thailand’s own version of the ‘festival of lights’. This brightly coloured event takes place around various Buddhist temples in Phuket Town, where locals and holidaymakers all join in together to celebrate. It marks the bringing of good fortune, where wishes for health and happiness are made. Look out for the floating lanterns that light up the sky and rivers. You can buy your own krathong – a lotus flower covered ‘boat’ – from one of many stalls that line the streets. They’re usually covered in flowers, candles and incense sticks. Plus, this festival is perfect if you’re a little superstitious – it’s said the lanterns will carry any bad luck away.

New Year’s Eve – 31st December

Thailand is one of the best places in the world to spend New Year’s Eve. There are so many events and venues to pick from, whether you’re after chic rooftop bars, all-night-long beach parties, romantic river cruises or the equivalent of New York’s Times Square – you can bet Thailand has it covered. The best place to ring in the New Year is in sun-kissed Phuket. Here, you can celebrate at one of the most popular parties on Paradise Beach. This swathe of sand offers a free, fun-filled party where fire eating, dancing and fireworks at midnight are on the agenda. Elsewhere, in Phuket Town, you’ve got music concerts, singing contests, several food stalls and you can release a colourful lantern into the sky for good luck when the clock strikes 12.

Songkran Festival – 13th-15th April

Did you know Songkran is the most celebrated festival in Thailand? It’s also known as the Thai New Year, and it’s  marked by three days of festivities. The main celebration includes a nationwide water fight that symbolises spiritual cleansing. It starts with the innocent sprinkling of water over Buddha statues all over the towns and cities, before turning into a fully fledged water fight. And because the festival falls in April, when temperatures are at their hottest, it’s the ideal way to cool down in the heat. The best place to get involved in the action is Phuket. Here, huge strips of sand like Patong Beach are packed with locals and holidaymakers, and you can bet they’re all carrying water pistols, garden hoses, and water buckets.

Now you know everything about the Land of Smiles, it’s time to book.

Browse our holidays to Thailand and to find out why Thailand isn't just for backpackers. Plus, check out the best hotels in Thailand.

Author: Olivia Hunt