Thailand is a tropical country in South East Asia. This country has been a top tourism destination in the world and the country depends on tourists for foreign exchange. Tourist infrastructure is very well developed in Thailand and it has many types of places to visit for tourists looking for a tropical paradise in Asia. Bangkok, Phuket, Chang Mai, and Krabi are top destinations in Thailand and tourists often are confused about when to visit which part of the country. The best time to visit Thailand is from December to March. Also, it depends on factors like which place in Thailand the tourists are visiting, the weather in the region and the timetable of events and festivals in the country.
Best time to visit Thailand for budget travelers
Thailand is one of the cheapest countries in the world to travel. But, you may not get the same hotels and flight deals in Thailand all over the year. Thailand travel costs depend on which month you are going to plan your Thailand trip. Check these amazing Thailand traveling tips to plan a trip to Thailand.
If you are struggling for budget then you can get cheap hotels and flights for Thailand from May to October. This time in Thailand is the best time to visit Thailand for budget travelers. For making perfect Thailand itinerary, make advance bookings of hotels and flights. Check all options for transport and sightseeing.
Check out this Backpacking packing list to make a perfect backpack for any journey.
Best month to visit Thailand
January
January is a month when many people from cold countries in the west like to visit tropical Thailand to get away from the winter in their own country. It falls in the peak tourist season and advanced booking is advisable. The weather is mild and with exception to Koh Samui, there is little rainfall in January.
The events and festivals in January include Chinese New Year, Bo Sang Umbrella Festival in Chiang Mai and Concert in the Park in Bangkok. Do not forget to travel with style in Bangkok while taking part in festivals and events.
Chinatown area in places like Bangkok is especially festive during the Chinese Lunar New Year in January. Check these 7 amazing things to do in Bangkok in 2 days if you are on a short trip to this capital city of Thailand.
February
February is a festive time of the year in Thailand. The weather is generally mildly warm and dry in the country, but February does see some rainfall on the east coast. This time of the year is perfect for visiting islands and beaches in the country and a vacation to places like Koh Phi Phi, Phuket, and Koh Samui. Thailand island-Hopping itinerary is best to visit all these amazing islands in two weeks.
The Chiang Mai Flower Festival lasts three days in the city and is worth a visit and sometimes the Chinese New Year is celebrated in February in Thailand. Valentine’s Day celebration in places like Pak Khlong Talad Flower and Vegetable Market is spectacular and a top destination to visit in February.
March
Temperatures start to rise in Thailand in March but it is still mild and worth visiting the country this month. Krabi and Phuket on the Andaman coast are worth visiting in March as visiting the southern, eastern islands and beaches is a good idea.
Northern Thailand is hot and has air pollution during this season. Visiting air-conditioned malls in Bangkok and avoiding the heat in the afternoon is advisable.
April
April is a festive time of the year because of the Thai New Year. Songkran Thai New Year is the biggest festival of the year and there are celebrations on the streets of major cities in Thailand. Many tourists visit in April, so advanced booking is a great choice in Thailand in April. The heat and humidity are high but there is also rainfall in the region in April which cools the climate.
During the Songkran Festival, scented water is poured on the people celebrating the festival on the streets. Other festivals in April include Chakri Day and Wan Lai Festival.
May
This is a tourist season in Thailand between the low season and the peak season so there are discounts on offer. In May the rainfall season gradually begins with high humidity in the air. Some days are rainy while others have sunshine and visiting the cities in the interiors makes more sense than visiting rainy beaches on the coast.
The best places to visit in May include Koh Samui, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok rather than Phuket, Krabi and Trang Islands. Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok is worth celebrating with the locals and the Visakha Bucha Day is a top Buddhist holiday in May.
June
June is the time of the year when rainfall is not very high and June is part of the shoulder season in Thailand so travel and accommodation costs are low. Nature lovers visit Thailand in June and this is the time when fresh local produce is widely available especially in terms of local fruits and vegetables. Local fruits like durians, mangosteens and longans are widely available. Some days have bright sunshine while others have thunderstorms and rains.
Some places like Ko Chang have torrential rains and places like Hua Hin and Pattaya are great places to visit with low rainfall in June. Beaches in Koh Samui, Ko Pha Ngan are great for June beach vacations. Thai festivals popular with tourists in June include Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival in Loei and Hua Hin Jazz Festival. There are many local fruit festivals in Thailand in June.
July
July is in the middle of the rainy season in Thailand. It rains throughout the country but the temperatures drop in this month. The beach destinations on the eastern seaboard get more rainfall than the places like Pattaya and Hua Hin and Koh Samui which are worth visiting in July. The temperatures are low on the mainland and the beginning of the month is better for tourists than later in the month.
Celebrations in July that tourists can participate in events like Asahna Bucha Day, Wan Khao Phansa, and Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival. In the middle of July, the Phuket Yachting Race Week is popular with tourists in Phuket. One of the best ways to explore Phuket is by renting a scooter. Check this one day Phuket itinerary to get ideas about the best places which can be visited by scooter in Phuket.
August
August is part of the rainy season in Thailand which makes the country less crowded with tourists. The beaches along the Gulf of Thailand get less rainfall like Pattaya for a beach resort vacation. A Bangkok and Pattaya trip is a top choice in August and another great trip is visiting the agricultural rural areas in August which are lush green and beautiful. August is not part of the tourist season so the vacation costs will be cheap. The main celebratory event in August is the birthday celebrations of Queen Sirikit.
September
September has the most rainfall in Thailand and is part of the off-season for tourism in the country. This makes it less crowded and cheaper to visit. Ko Samui is a top place to visit in September. Also, visiting Phi Phi islands at this time of year is a good idea if you want to enjoy the beauty of the island without crowds. While visiting Thailand in September, tourists have to be prepared for a lot of rainfall and beaches being closed in some areas. This is a top season for getting cheap yet luxurious accommodation, visiting the local bars, cafes, and restaurants without encountering crowds and exploring the markets in Thailand. Visiting Bangkok during the Bangkok Car Free Day with the long boat races is a great idea for tourists in September.
October
October is a great time to visit Thailand as the rainfall reduces and the month is just before the peak tourist season. The temperature is mild and beach resort towns on the Andaman Coast and the Gulf of Thailand coast are worth visiting. It’s a great time to visit Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and other cities on the mainland.
There are many festivals in October worth participating for tourists. This includes Awk Phansa which is Buddhist festivals, Chong Para Festival, and the Buffalo Racing Festival. Other events in October include the Chulalongkorn Day and the many longboat races that take place in October. Thai cuisine is known all over the world and vegetables play a key role in this cuisine. The Vegetable Festival includes local events in Bangkok, Krabi, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Trang.
November
November starts the tourist season again in Thailand and as rainfall reduces and the sun shines on the tropical destination. Beach resort destinations get an increased number of tourists in November but avoid places with high rainfall like Koh Samui.
November is a great time to go island hopping, ride the tuk-tuk on the streets of Bangkok, sample the street food, visit the markets, and see the temples and religious site. Shopping and relaxing by the beach in November is a great idea and so is participating in festivals like Loy Krathong and Yi Peng Lantern Festival.
December
December is the Christmas month and many westerners visit tropical destinations like Thailand this month away from the cold weather. This is peak season for tourism and the best time to visit Thailand as rainfall is low except for Koh Samui. Buddhism is the main religion in Thailand but Christmas is also celebrated here. Shopping malls and hotels are decorated and many people visit Thailand at the end of the year to bring in the New year in style. The resort towns, beach towns, islands and cities like Bangkok see a lot of tourists at the end of the year holiday season.
Thailand is a great place to visit all year round as mentioned above and there are some seasons when the tourists particularly like to visit the tropical paradise destination of Thailand.
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