The climate of Thailand

The seasons

Thailand has a tropical climate and the weather is warm all year round. April is one of the hottest months, September the wettest, and December is usually one of the coolest months of the year.

Thailand has three seasons. The warm or hot season (March to May) is a time when temperatures and humidity rise. It is warm, with temperatures of around 35 degrees Celsius. In Southeast Asia and Thailand, there is no siesta, but the pace of life does slow down around the hottest part of the day.

The dry and cool season (November to February) is cool, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 29 degrees Celsius; there is very little to no rain, and it does not get too hot.

The rainy season (June to October) is the most beautiful and greenest time of year in Thailand. During this period, rain brings relief from the heat across the whole country and everything becomes lush and green once more. There is a high chance of rain, but it does not last all day. The often heavy showers are usually limited to just a few hours, often in the afternoon or evening.

A tropical climate

Thailand has a tropical climate influenced by the monsoon winds from the south and north. The monsoon climate is characterised by a fairly long dry season and a distinct rainy season, during which there is a fair amount of rainfall due to the monsoon winds. It is warm in Thailand all year round. The only respite from the heat can be found by the sea or in the mountains in the north of the country. Thailand is a great place to visit all year round.

3 seasons in Central, Northern and North-Eastern Thailand

Thailand is a great place to visit all year round, but it is worth noting that the country has different seasons. Thailand generally has three seasons, but in the south of the country there are only two: the rainy season and the hot, dry season.

The hot season generally runs from March to May.
The hot season is characterised by high temperatures and high humidity. Do as the locals do and avoid the extreme midday heat, and adjust your pace accordingly.

The rainy season runs from June to October.
Although there is more rainfall during the rainy season than in the other seasons, the rain brings relief from the heat across the whole country and the showers are often short and heavy. The rainy season in Thailand is not characterised by days of continuous rain. However, there are short, heavy showers, about once or twice a day. The rain usually falls in the afternoon or evening, and in between, and especially in the morning, the sun regularly breaks through. As a result, the countryside becomes lush and green once again.
The Gulf of Thailand, the part where the island of Ko Samui is located, differs slightly from this. The monsoon season here is a little later, namely from September to December.

The dry season runs from November to February.
This period is often considered the best time to visit Thailand, as the chance of rain is very low, the temperature is pleasant and the humidity is lower than usual for Thailand.

Thailand is a great place to visit all year round, but it is worth noting that the country has distinct seasons. As Thailand is such a large country, there are some differences between the various regions: the Central Plains and the East, the North and North-East (Isaan), and the South.

Two seasons in southern Thailand

The South really only has two seasons: the hot, dry season and the rainy season. Temperatures remain fairly constant throughout the year (between 25 and 35°C), but during the rainy season you do need to take the monsoons into account. Due to the monsoons, it is often dangerous or even impossible to sail to the many beautiful islands. Some islands are even inaccessible because they are closed to prevent damage, and this period also serves as a sort of recovery period following the tourist season. The islands on the west coast of Thailand’s southern peninsula can be visited all year round, but the best time to visit, without any restrictions, is between mid-November and April. This is also to avoid the rain brought by the monsoons.

Temperature

The average minimum (daytime) temperature is 20°C, and the average maximum temperature is 37°C. April is the hottest month of the year. In winter, particularly in the north and north-east, temperatures can drop significantly in the evening and at night to around 15°C. It can be even cooler in the mountains.
A jumper or jacket for the evening is therefore recommended. However, once the sun comes up, it quickly warms up again to around 30°C.

Tips

If you’re planning a holiday to Thailand, it’s a good idea to take the time to acclimatise. To get used to the heat, we recommend taking it easy for the first few days and drinking plenty of water. Be sensible and drink alcohol in moderation. Staying well-hydrated during your stay in the tropics is advisable in any case.

Sweating causes you to lose important nutrients, so it’s important to take some extra salt from time to time. A good and enjoyable way to do this is with a delicious bowl of noodle soup. However, if you feel a bit weak, it is advisable to take an oral rehydration solution. ORS is available from chemists or pharmacies. This is solely to prevent dehydration.

UV levels in Thailand are very high, so we recommend using high-factor sun cream and wearing a hat or cap to prevent sunstroke.

We hope you have a great trip to Thailand!

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