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.

The low season runs through the hot and rainy seasons, with a mini high season in July-August during school holidays in Europe and the USA. For exploring the country rather than lounging on the beach, the rainy season is a good time to visit.

Festivals

Local festivals take place throughout the year and it’s entirely possible to stumble onto an unexpected and riotous celebration while exploring the country’s backroads. The two big nationwide festivals are Songkran and Loy Krathong.