If you dream about visit Thailand for the first time, then one of the first questions that pop up in your mind is when the best time to visit is. We have taken a closer look at this angle and this is what we found.
Normally the best time to visit Thailand is in the dry season which is from the end of November to the beginning of April. If you are planning to visit the northern part of Thailand, like Chiang Mai, or anywhere on the mainland the countryside, you should avoid the smokey season despite of the dry season and consider to visit in the more wet part of the year.
Temperature vise its not big difference between the seasons since the temperature variations are relatively small, but in the dry season it’s a little bit colder and less humidity which are what most western tourist from Europe and North America will find most comfortable.
Another thing to consider is that in the end of the dry season the plant life may appear as dry and wilted than during the rainy season. Not a big issue, but for somebody it might be a thing.
The rainy season usually don’t mean that it rains all day.
One common misunderstanding is that the rainy season means that it rains the hole day. This is fortunately not the normal. In the rainy season it’s normal with rain almost every day, but it will normally be heavy rain for a relatively short time, and the sun will often be present during the rest of the day. It also tends to rain more in the night than at the day.
What is the smokey season?
If you plan to travel to the northern part of Thailand, especially Chiang Mai, you should really try to avoid the smokey season.
The smokey season is a result of several incidents that combine, but the main reason is that the farmers in the north burn of their rice fields in this period.
The smokey season starts early in January and usually lasts until April, sometimes into early May, with a top where it’s normally at the worst in March.
How about the water temperature in the sea?
If you plan a beach holiday the water temperature should not be a factor when it comes to which period that you plan to travel to Thailand. I the eyes of western tourist the water temperature will always be pleasant and will normally fluctuate between 25°C/ 77°F and 30°C/ 86°F.
You will normally find the coldest water in December and January, but it’s really no problem since its still to consider as warm.
Some good reasons to travel to Thailand in the rainy seasons.
For beach tourists the best season is considered to be December to March, but there are at the same time good reasons to consider travelling to Thailand outside this time period. Especially in very touristy area it can be a turn of to travel in this high season.
When you travel in the low season you will get better prices, especially on accommodation and airplane tickets. When it comes to other prices like food and service the prices seems to stay mostly at the same level through the year.
The smokey season, which we already have mentions is another important factor to avoid the dry season if you plan a vacation which is not focused on the beach life.
When there Is less tourist and visitors you will notice that you receive much better personal service on hotels, restaurant and other places. Simply because they have better time to take care of you as a customer. Remember, Thailand is the land of smiles, but even Thais can be stressed and busy and not manage to stay as polite as they want to.
Because of these factors, you will probably experience a more authentic part of the culture of Thailand if you travel outside the high seasons.
Railay Beach is stunning, but the experience can be a bit ruined by too many tourists.