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Best time to visit

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Generally, cool season from November to February is considered to be the best time to visit Thailand. This season is the busiest time of the year. Besides great weather in most parts of the country, you can enjoy events like Loi Krathong and Lopburi Monkey Banquet. Even though you'll have to plan your trip well in advance and tolerate tourist crowds, you will relish seasonal fruits while lolling on the heavenly beach.
March to May period with its lower rates is considered shoulder season, usually deadly hot, especially in the north-east with higher humidity levels. Fun seekers should definitely join water battles during the Songkran celebrations in mid-April.
Southwest monsoon affects northern territories and west coast of the Thai peninsula (Phuket and Krabi areas) from May to October, peaking in September. East coast of the Thai peninsula, facing the Gulf of Thailand (places like Koh Samui), experiences the northeast monsoon roughly between September and December. Just for the record, you still can enjoy your diving and kiteboarding during the low season. Besides, May to October is the best time to get good deals in Thailand.

71 things to do in Thailand

Southwest Monsoon (Rainy Season)

May–October Weather

Monsoon brings wet weather to most parts of Thailand. This period is also notorious for typhoons

Tamarind Season

November–February Food

Winter is harvest time for this delicious Thai fruit

Jackfruit Season

October–May Food

Try one of the largest fruits in the world

Sapodilla Season

September–December Food

Try fresh sapodilla fruits while visiting Thailand

Thailand Grand Sale

mid-June to mid-August Activity

The Thai hunting season has officially begun!

Floating Markets

November–May Activity

Your Thai vacation can't be complete without shopping at traditional floating markets around Bangkok

Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay

December–March Activity

Discover a unique hidden world while visiting Phang Nga Bay

Red Turtle Sweet for Hungry Ghost

August 30, 2023 Event

The festival of Hungry Ghost aims to feed all the hungry ancestors as a way to show them how strong they are respected. Typical gift and taste of the holiday is a red turtle cake

Mexican Sunflowers Bloom

November–December Nature

Travel from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son to get the amazing view of a golden sea of Mexican sunflowers

Mango Season

March–May Food

In Thai cuisine, mango is a major ingredient, both ripe and unripe. Therefore, aim for its season to get the best taste!

Samui Regatta

May 25-June 01, 2024 Event

The famous Yacht Regatta is hosted by Centara Grand Beach Resort and is famous for good sailing, spectacular environment and most awesome parties!

Custard Apple Season

June–August Food

With hard skin that is easy to break with a squeeze and soft flesh inside, the fruit is a total summer delight

Loy Krathong

November 15, 2024 Event

A beautiful festival to make a wish that will come true

Dok Krachiao Bloom Season

June–July Nature

Beautiful lush and pink flowers that bloom during rainy season will amaze your eyes

Royal Ploughing Ceremony

May 9, 2025 Event

The ceremony marks the start of the rice growing season with sacred oxen that plough the field​ across the Royal Palace

Full Moon Party

every full moon nights Event

The party takes place every full moon night and draws up to 30,000 people to the island of Koh Phangan

Lychee or Litchi Season

April–May Food

Transplanted from South China, lychee used to be a fruit of the emperors

Rose Apple Season

May–June Food

Looking nothing like an apple, the fruit smells like rose when a first bite is taken

Burapa Bike Week, Pattaya

February 9–11, 2024 Event

Bringing bikers all across Thailand together with the whole world, Burapa Bike Week is one of the most anticipated events of the year

River Kwai Bridge Week

November 28–December 8, 2024 Event

Special ceremonies on the River Kwai commemorate the sad events of World War II

Hungry Ghost Festival

August 18, 2024 Event

The generally Chinese festival Por Tor that is very important to the ethnic Chinese in Thai features plenty of activities and special food

Wan Ok Phansa

October 17, 2024 Event

The festival that marks the end of the Buddhist lent is full of celebrations and interesting authentic activities

King’s Cup Muay Thai

December 5 Event

The tournament of the national Thai sport dedicated to the King's of Thailand Birthday

Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival

November 23, 2024 Event

One of the most prominent festivals that pays homage to the mischievous macaques

Mangosteen Season

May–July Food

Known as the queen of fruit, mangosteen or mangkhut has a delicate texture

Yasothon Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival

May 10-12, 2024 Event

The fertility rites and ceremonies play a major role in Thai culture. One of the most famous is the Rocket festival

Pomelo Season

August–October Food

Thai pomelo is very famous, especially among the ethnic Chinese

Bamboo Rafting During Dry Season

February–May Activity

A slow pace ride on a bamboo raft may be a nice way to explore stunning nature

Bo Sang Umbrella Festival

January 17–19, 2025 Event

The festival of umbrellas in Bor Sang, not far from Chian Mai, is a highlight of the region and the beauty of the time

Songkran Water Festival (Thai New Year)

April 13–April 15 Event

Thai New Year lasts for at least three days, depending on the region, and is one of the most joyful celebrations of the new year worldwide

Oysters Harvest in Phuket

November–April Food

If you fancy oysters, have a taste of them in Phuket province!

Chinese New Year

February 10, 2024 Event

LNY festivities are widely celebrated all over Thailand

Diving

October–June Activity

Thailand offers spectacular diving any time throughout the year, but only a limited period is considered the best!

Big Mountain Music Festival

December 7–8, 2024 Event

Every frequent festival-goer eventually realises many of these events are pretty the same—Thai music festival is a great alternative when you crave for something new

Phi Phi Viewpoint

December–March Nature

Koh Phi Phi's famous viewpoint is a must destination, especially during the clear sunny days that make it a photographer's treasure

Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani

July 19-21, 2024 Event

Plenty of religious events are associated with Buddhist Lent. The Candle Festival is one of them, but it is also one of the most spectacular festivals during the year

Poy Sang Long Festival or Festival of the Crystal Sons

late March–mid-April Event

The festival in northern Thailand celebrates young boys entering the monasteries. Three days of festivities are all about traditions and colour

Rains Retreat or Vassa

July 20–October 17, 2024 Event

This is a period marked by Buddhist Lent, which lasts three months and makes the monks stay at a single monastery

Rambutan Season

May–June Food

One of the most beautiful fruits, rambutan has fluffy skin and juicy flesh

Thai Cosmos Bloom

June–February Nature

The beautiful flowers will melt your heart with their pinkish warm colour

Queen’s Cup Muay Thai

August 12 Event

National Thai sport which means "science of the two limbs" is fascinating all year, but during Queen's birthday the ordinary fights change into spectacular championships between the best ones

Rub Bua Festival

October 10–18, 2024 Event

The beautiful ancient tradition of throwing lotus flowers from the banks of the river is one of the most heart-warming in Thailand

Phuket Raceweek

June 26–30, 2024 Event

The yacht racing event that is both huge and international while being cosy and friendly gathering

Durian Season

May–June Food

Durian may not be the most loved fruit, but it is definitely the king of all fruit!

Jujube Season

October–February Food

Pear-shaped and not too big in size, the fruit resembles a yellowish apple with hard skin

Phuket Vegetarian Festival, or Nine Emperor Gods Festival

October 15–23, 2024 Event

One of the most notorious festivals in Thailand that does not have that much common with vegetarianism

Erawan Falls

July–October Nature

Regarded as most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand, their multiple levels will astonish your imagination

Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony

February 13-15, 2024 Event

It might sound a bit cheesy to get married underwater with a crowd of other couples, but it may also be a unique experience

Chonburi Buffalo Racing

October 17, 2024 Event

The event to apreciate the hard work of buffaloes is full of adrenaline and competitions

International Thai Martial Arts Games & Festival

March 12–17, 2023 Event

If you are interested in martial arts, especially Thai martial arts, that are traditional and spectacular, you just can't miss this out!

Kayaking on Koh Phangan

May–October Activity

Paradise island with serene beaches and mysterious caves should be explored from water

Makha Bucha Day

February 24, 2024 Event

One of the holiest days for Buddhists, celebrates the day when 1250 disciples of Buddha gathered for his preaching. The holiday includes one of the most spectacular ceremonies in Buddhism

Longan Season

May–July Food

The fruit that was once transported from China has flourished and become one of the most popular in Thailand

Watching Baby Gibbons

October Nature

Gibbons were once major population in Thailand, but due to illegal hunting and capturing, the amounts of these cute guys have been falling rapidly

Kiteboarding

April–October | November–March Activity

Phuket is Thailand's Mecca for kiteboarders with two major seasons

MAYA Music Festival

February 2024 Event

No music festival in the world can boast a more stunning stage than a 26-meter high monkey head of MAYA

Thod Kathin Robes Offering Ceremony

October 17–November 15, 2024 Event

The period lasting for a month when monks are offered various goods is also known as Thod Kathin or Kathina

Sailing in Thailand

November–December | March–April Activity

Weather conditions in Thailand are geographically divided by two monsoons. Therefore, sailing is available year-round but in different regions

Pattaya International Fireworks Festival

November 29-30, 2024 Event

One of the major firework shows in the world, with different competitions between plenty of countries

Sakon Nakhon Wax Castle Festival

October 23–29, 2023 Event

Lasting for a few days, the festival signifies the end of the Buddhist Lent

Visakha Bucha Day

May 5, 2023 Event

The day that marks three most important events in Buddha's life with beautiful ceremonies

Chiang Mai Flower Festival

February 2-4, 2024 Event

The celebration of the end of the cool season with plenty of flowers is one of the most colorful events of the year

Yongchak or Stink Bean Season

May Food

Also known as yongchak, the long twisted bean is smelly in a unique way due to its gas containment

National Elephant Day

March 13 Event

Elephants are unique animals: they are social, cute, and helpful. Therefore, it's natural that they have got a day totally dedicated to them

Elephant Sanctuaries

all year round Nature

An ethical and harmless way to interact with elephants

Wonderfruit Festival

December 12–16, 2024 Event

A colourful celebration of music, great food, and art

Synchronous Fireflies

May–October Nature

Mangrove forests and river banks come alive at night with thousands of flashing lights

New Year's Eve

December 31 Event

End the year with high spirits in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, or Chiang Mai

Ducks on Rice Fields

September–January Nature

In Thailand, ducks are used to rid rice farms of unwanted pests in exchange for free food

Singha Park International Balloon Fiesta

February 10–14, 2023 Event

A special way to celebrate St. Valentine's Day and make some incredible memories

Thaibreak Festival

March 21–24, 2024 Event

The Thaibreak Festival, an electronic music festival on the enchanting island of Koh Mak with a limited number of visitors

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