For most travellers from India, the best time to visit Thailand is November to February. This is the cool, dry season, with less rain in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi, and mornings that feel fresh in the north. March to May is the hot season, and June to October brings the rains on most of the country. The exception is the Gulf coast around Ko Samui, which gets its heaviest rain from October to December and stays drier in the middle of the year. The figures below are long-term averages from the Thai Meteorological Department, published through the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Know before you go
- Best overall: November to February, the cool and dry season.
- Hottest: March to May, with Chiang Mai averaging highs of 36 °C in April.
- Rainiest: June to October for Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi.
- Ko Samui: wettest from October to December, drier from February to September.
- Festivals: Songkran from 13 to 15 April; Loy Krathong in November.
- Visa: check the current rules for Indian passport holders before you book.
- Last checked: 3 November 2026.
In this Article
Month by month weather
The table gives average daily high and low temperatures in °C for Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and average monthly rainfall in mm for all four places.
| Month | Bangkok high / low | Bangkok rain | Chiang Mai high / low | Chiang Mai rain | Phuket rain | Ko Samui rain | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32 / 21 | 9 | 29 / 14 | 8 | 23 | 138 | High |
| February | 33 / 23 | 30 | 32 / 16 | 9 | 26 | 58 | High |
| March | 34 / 25 | 29 | 35 / 19 | 19 | 59 | 78 | Medium |
| April | 35 / 26 | 65 | 36 / 22 | 54 | 138 | 77 | Medium |
| May | 34 / 26 | 220 | 34 / 24 | 153 | 270 | 147 | Low |
| June | 33 / 25 | 149 | 33 / 24 | 117 | 237 | 113 | Low |
| July | 33 / 25 | 155 | 32 / 24 | 153 | 284 | 123 | Medium |
| August | 33 / 25 | 197 | 31 / 24 | 225 | 283 | 119 | Medium |
| September | 32 / 25 | 344 | 32 / 23 | 200 | 387 | 117 | Low |
| October | 32 / 24 | 242 | 31 / 22 | 118 | 296 | 290 | Low |
| November | 32 / 23 | 48 | 30 / 19 | 51 | 174 | 490 | High |
| December | 31 / 21 | 10 | 28 / 15 | 18 | 62 | 209 | High |
Three patterns stand out. Bangkok and Chiang Mai are almost dry from December to February. Phuket’s rain peaks in September at an average of 387 mm, while Ko Samui’s peaks in November at 490 mm, so the two coasts have opposite wet months. Temperatures in Bangkok barely change through the year, staying in the low thirties by day, while Chiang Mai has noticeably cooler nights from December to February. The crowds column is a general guide to tourist numbers, not official data.
Seasons explained
The Tourism Authority of Thailand describes three seasons: hot from March to May, rainy from June to October, and dry from November to February.
Cool and dry season (November to February)
This is the main tourist season. Bangkok averages under 50 mm of rain a month from November to March, and Chiang Mai’s lows fall to around 14 to 15 °C in December and January. On the Andaman coast, Phuket and Krabi have their calmest and driest months from December to March. Hotels and flights are in high demand over Christmas, New Year and Indian holidays, so book early.
Hot season (March to May)
Temperatures peak in April, when Bangkok averages a high of 35 °C and Chiang Mai 36 °C. Rain starts to build in May. If you go in these months, plan sightseeing for early morning and evening, and keep the middle of the day for indoor sights, pools or the beach. April is also when Songkran is held.
Rainy season (June to October)
Rain usually comes in heavy bursts rather than all day, but September is the wettest month in Bangkok and Phuket, with 344 mm and 387 mm on average. Seas on the Andaman side can be rough in these months, so island hopping from Phuket and Krabi is less reliable. Prices are often lower and the countryside is green. This is also the time when the Gulf islands, including Ko Samui, are relatively dry.
Best time for beaches
Thailand has two main beach coasts, and they work on different calendars.
- The Andaman coast, with Phuket, Krabi and the Phi Phi islands, is best from December to March. Rainfall in Phuket climbs sharply from May and stays above 230 mm a month until October.
- The Gulf coast, with Ko Samui and its neighbours, is best from about February to September. Its wettest months are October, November and December.
So if your dates fall in July or August, the Gulf islands are the safer bet for beach time. In December or January, choose Phuket or Krabi. Our 7 day Thailand itinerary combines Bangkok with Phuket and Krabi and suits a winter trip.
Best time to visit Bangkok
Bangkok is warm all year, so the main difference between months is rain. December to February is the most comfortable time, with almost no rain and slightly cooler nights. September and October are the wettest. The city has plenty of indoor sights for rainy afternoons, and our guide to things to do in Bangkok lists temples, markets and river trips you can mix with them.
Festivals
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is held from 13 to 15 April. It is known for water throwing in the streets, and Bangkok and Chiang Mai are among the busiest places to see it. Expect crowds, higher hotel prices and the chance of getting soaked whenever you step outside.
Loy Krathong is held in November, on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, when people float small decorated baskets with candles on rivers and ponds. Chiang Mai holds its Yi Peng festival around the same time, and Sukhothai is known for a festival of lights. Check the exact dates for your year before you book.
Months to avoid
No month is off limits, but some suit fewer trips. April is very hot in the north and in Bangkok. September and October bring the heaviest rain to Bangkok and the Andaman coast. November and December are the wettest months on Ko Samui. If your dates are fixed, pick the region that has better weather in that month.
Best time to visit Thailand with family
For families, November to February works best because the heat is easier on children and older relatives. Indian school holidays in May and June fall at the start of the rainy season, so if you travel then, consider the Gulf islands for beach days and keep the plan flexible.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Cool and dry | Light cotton clothes, a light jacket for Chiang Mai nights, sunscreen |
| Hot | Loose cotton clothes, a hat, sunglasses, a refillable water bottle |
| Rainy | A compact umbrella or rain jacket, quick dry clothes, sandals |
For temple visits in any season, carry clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. Before booking, read our Thailand visa guide for Indians for the current entry rules.
FAQ
Which month is best to visit Thailand from India?
November to February suits most trips. Rain is low in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and the Andaman beaches are at their calmest from December.
Is October a good time to visit Thailand?
October is still part of the rainy season, with Bangkok averaging 242 mm of rain and Phuket 296 mm. Ko Samui’s wettest period also begins then, so it is better to wait until late November or December.
When is the best time to visit Phuket?
December to March, when Phuket gets its lowest rainfall, from about 23 to 62 mm a month on average.
When is the best time to visit Krabi?
Krabi is on the same Andaman coast as Phuket, so December to March is also the best time for its beaches and island trips.
Which is the cheapest time to visit Thailand?
The rainy months from June to October are usually quieter, and hotel prices are often lower. Compare fares for your dates, since prices depend on the airline and season.
Official resources: WMO World Weather Information Service; Tourism Authority of Thailand
Photo credits
Featured image: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Month by month weather: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Cool and dry season (November to February): Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Hot season (March to May): laurence king / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; Rainy season (June to October): Arnaud-Victor Monteux / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Best time for beaches: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Best time for beaches: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Festivals: John Shedrick from Chiang Mai, Thailand / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; Festivals: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
