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Thailand

Thailand travel guide

Temples, big-city food, northern hills and island beaches in one trip

Best: Jan, Dec

Photo: sasint / Pixabay

Capital
Bangkok
Language
Thai
Currency
Thai baht
Time zone
UTC+07:00
Plugs
Type A, B, C, F · 220 V
Driving
On the left
Emergency
191 / 199 / 1669

Why visit Thailand

Thailand suits a first trip to South-East Asia or a longer loop that mixes cities and coast. Start in Bangkok, the capital, then go north to Chiang Mai or west to Kanchanaburi. For the sea, head to Phuket or Pattaya. The best months are December and January. The honest limitation is time. The ideal window is only 2 months, and the country covers 513120 km², so trips between regions take planning.

  • Bangkok, a very large capital

    Bangkok is the capital and by far the largest city on our list, with 5676648 people. It is a natural first stop and the easiest place to start a trip around the country.

  • Chiang Mai for an inland base

    Chiang Mai is the next-largest city listed, with about 1198000 people. It lies inland and is much smaller than Bangkok, so it offers a real change of pace from the capital.

  • Coastal stays in Pattaya and Phuket

    Pattaya and Phuket are the coastal cities in our data. Pattaya has 119532 people and Phuket has 77610, so both are far smaller than the capital. Choose them if you want the sea.

  • Smaller inland towns

    Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya has 52940 people and Kanchanaburi has 25651. Both are inland and much smaller than Bangkok or Chiang Mai. They suit travellers who prefer quieter towns.

  • Clear best time to go

    Our data rates December and January as the best months to visit. If your dates are flexible, plan around them. Outside these months, check local conditions before you book.

Is Thailand right for you?

Great for

  • Winter-sun trips in December and January: highs near 31°C and only 2–3 rain days
  • Sun lovers from January to April, with about 10–11 hours of sunshine a day
  • Beach stays in coastal Phuket or Pattaya during the dry months
  • Multi-stop trips linking Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi

Less ideal for

  • Heat-sensitive travellers in April, when highs reach 37°C and nights stay near 27°C
  • Dry-weather trips from July to October: 20–25 rain days a month
  • September visits, the wettest month with 273 mm of rain
  • Self-drive trips if you are not used to driving on the left

Thailand right now: October

3.4/10
Avg high
31°C
Avg low
24°C
Rain days
20

Averages for Thailand.

Weather by month

The chart shows 2015–2024 data for Thailand as a whole, not a single city, and December and January are the best months, with highs of about 31 °C, only 2–3 rain days and about 10 hours of sun a day. Avoid March to October, when highs reach 37 °C in April and rain days climb to 25 in September, with 273 mm of rain.

Average highs and lows in Thailand by month January: high 31°C, low 21°C , 3 rain days . February: high 33°C, low 22°C , 3 rain days . March: high 36°C, low 25°C , 6 rain days . April: high 37°C, low 27°C , 9 rain days . May: high 36°C, low 27°C , 18 rain days . June: high 35°C, low 26°C , 20 rain days . July: high 34°C, low 26°C , 22 rain days . August: high 34°C, low 26°C , 24 rain days . September: high 32°C, low 25°C , 25 rain days . October: high 31°C, low 24°C , 20 rain days . November: high 32°C, low 23°C , 8 rain days . December: high 31°C, low 21°C , 2 rain days . 31°C 21°C JAN 3d 33°C 22°C FEB 3d 36°C 25°C MAR 6d 37°C 27°C APR 9d 36°C 27°C MAY 18d 35°C 26°C JUN 20d 34°C 26°C JUL 22d 34°C 26°C AUG 24d 32°C 25°C SEP 25d 31°C 24°C OCT 20d 32°C 23°C NOV 8d 31°C 21°C DEC 2d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Thailand (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Thailand: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai in a week

  1. Day 1–3

    Bangkok

    Start in the capital, home to 5,676,648 people. Use the first days to get over jet lag, explore different neighbourhoods and try the local food at your own pace.

  2. Day 4

    Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

    Spend a day in this small inland city of 52,940 people. It is a quieter change from Bangkok and suits a slow day of walking and looking around.

  3. Day 5–7

    Chiang Mai

    End the week in Chiang Mai, a city of 1,198,000. Plan 3 unhurried days to explore the city and its surroundings, and to rest before you fly home.

10 days

City, countryside, north and coast in 10 days

  1. Day 1–3

    Bangkok

    Begin in Bangkok, the capital and largest city here. Give yourself 3 days to settle in, find your way around and get used to the pace of a big city.

  2. Day 4–5

    Kanchanaburi

    Move on to Kanchanaburi, an inland town of 25,651 people. It is the smallest place on this route, so use these 2 days for a slower, quieter break.

  3. Day 6–8

    Chiang Mai

    Head north to Chiang Mai, home to 1,198,000 people. Spend 3 days exploring the city at an easy pace and trying the local food.

  4. Day 9–10

    Phuket

    Finish on the coast in Phuket, a town of 77,610. Keep the last 2 days free to relax by the sea before your flight home.

Food to try in Thailand

Pad thai

Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu or shrimp, bean sprouts and peanuts, flavoured with tamarind and fish sauce. Street stalls cook it to order, often in the evening.

Tom yum goong

A hot and sour soup with shrimp, lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal and chilli. Thais usually share it at the table with rice rather than eating it as a starter.

Som tam

A green papaya salad pounded in a mortar with chilli, lime, fish sauce and peanuts. It comes from the northeast (Isan) and is often eaten with sticky rice and grilled chicken.

Khao soi

A northern curry noodle soup with a coconut broth, soft egg noodles and a topping of crispy fried noodles. Look for it in Chiang Mai and other towns in the north.

Mango sticky rice

Sweet sticky rice with coconut cream, served with slices of ripe mango. It is a common street dessert, but it is easiest to find and best when mangoes are in season.

Cha yen (Thai iced tea)

Strong black tea sweetened with sugar and condensed milk and poured over ice. It is often orange and very sweet. Street vendors and cafes sell it all day, usually in plastic cups or bags.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Thailand uses plug types A, B, C and F, and the supply is 220 V. Check the label on your chargers. Devices made only for a lower voltage will need a voltage converter, not just an adapter.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the left in Thailand. If you are used to driving on the right, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts, and when you cross the road on foot.
  • Emergency numbers: The emergency numbers in Thailand are 191, 199 and 1669. Save all 3 in your phone before you arrive, so you do not have to search for them in a stressful moment.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Thai baht. Carry some baht in cash as well as a card, so you have a backup if a card is declined or a machine does not work.
  • Language: The official language is Thai, which uses its own script. Learn a few basic polite phrases and download an offline translation app. Save your hotel address in Thai to show drivers.
  • Time zone: Thailand is on UTC+07:00. Check the time difference with home before you book calls or connecting transport, so you do not get caught out by jet lag.
  • Calling code: The international calling code for Thailand is +66. Add it before local numbers when you save them in your phone, so calls and messaging apps work from a foreign SIM.

Thailand: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Thailand?

December and January are the best months. December is the driest month of the year, with 1.6 rain days, 12 mm of rain and highs of 30.6°C. January is similar, with 3.1 rain days and highs of 31.1°C. Both months get about 10 hours of sun a day. November and February are OK second choices.

Is Thailand good in August?

No, August is a month to avoid. On average it has 23.6 rain days and 201 mm of rain, so expect rain on most days. Sun drops to 8 hours a day, the lowest of the year. Highs stay around 33.5°C, so it is hot and wet. If you can, move your trip to December or January.

When is the rainy season in Thailand?

The rainy season runs from May to October. In these months there are 18 to 25 rain days a month. September is the wettest month, with 273 mm of rain and 24.9 rain days. The rain drops quickly in November, to 8.3 rain days and 61 mm, and December is the driest month.

Is April too hot to visit Thailand?

For most travellers, yes. April is the hottest month, with average highs of 37°C, and nights stay warm at 26.5°C. March is close behind, with highs of 35.9°C. Rain also starts to increase, to 8.7 rain days in April. We rate both March and April as months to avoid.

What plugs and voltage does Thailand use?

Thailand uses plug types A, B, C and F, and the voltage is 220 V. Check that your chargers and devices work at 220 V before you go. If a device only supports a lower voltage, you need a voltage converter, not just a plug adapter.

What are the emergency numbers and other basics in Thailand?

The emergency numbers are 191, 199 and 1669. The currency is the Thai baht, the country calling code is +66 and the time zone is UTC+07:00. Traffic drives on the left, which matters if you plan to rent a car or scooter. The main language is Thai.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Thailand.