As a tropical country, Thailand is hot and humid throughout the year, but there are three distinct seasons—dry, hot and rainy.

The dry season runs from November to February, when rain is very rare, temperatures are cooler and humidity is not so high. In the Northern hills, thermometers can get down near zero so warm clothing is a must.

The hot season stretches from March to June, when temperatures and humidity increase countrywide.

The rainy season lasts from July to October, when monsoon rains bring tropical storms. Temperatures and humidity remain high but the countryside is lush to look at.

When to go

The dry season is also the high season for tourism, which peaks over Christmas and New Year. Days are sunny and bright but accommodation prices tend to rise in tourist centres such as Phuket and Chiang Mai.