When to go
The best time to visit Thailand goes:
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from December to mid-February in the continental part and in Bangkok,
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from late December to March on the south-western coast (see the Similan Islands, Phuket, Krabi, the Phi Phi Islands, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe),
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from late January to April on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand (see Ko Samui, Pattani and Songkhla), bearing in mind, however, that March and April are hot months.
In
mid-summer, in July and August, in the eastern part of peninsular Thailand, that is, the coast facing the Gulf of Thailand, the weather is usually comfortable enough, since the area is sheltered from the most intense monsoon rains, which occur on the west side, and generally from tropical cyclones as well.
What to pack
In
winter: in the north (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai), pack light clothes for the day, a jacket and a sweater for the evening.
In Bangkok, light clothing, a light sweatshirt for the evening, a scarf for the breeze, and possibly a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings.
In Peninsular Thailand, pack light clothing, a light sweatshirt for the evening, a scarf for the breeze, a sweatshirt for airconditioned places.
In the Gulf of Thailand, you can add a light raincoat or an umbrella.
When going to the reef, you can bring snorkeling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.
For the mountains, bring spring/autumn clothes, a warm jacket and a sweater for the evening.
In
summer: tropics-friendly, lightweight clothing, a light raincoat or umbrella, comfortable shoes; a light sweatshirt and a scarf for airconditioned places.
In the mountains, light clothes for the day, a raincoat, hiking shoes, a sweater for the evening and for mountain peaks.
Before entering pagodas, it is customary to remove shoes, dress neatly and cover a little.
Back to the climate of
Thailand