Holidaymakers who have never been to the country before often ask when is the best time to visit Thailand. Although the country offers year-round beauty and attractions, this guide offers insights into the best time to visit Thailand. Take a look at some of the cheap package holidays and flight deals available from HolidayPirates. In the meantime, find out when to visit Thailand for yourself.
If you have never travelled to Southeast Asia before, then you may be surprised by how hot and humid it can be. If you go when the country is at its hottest, in the UK's springtime, you may find it too warm. Conversely, when the rainy season comes, from late summer to early autumn, it may be too wet. Of course, this doesn't mean it is a bad time to come. The point is to be forewarned before you travel.
After all, at any time of the year, you will need loose, comfortable clothing and a sun hat. Sunblock is always advisable, as is consuming plenty of water. Avoid strenuous efforts during the heat of the day, too. Relax in the hotel pool or spend some time swimming in some of Thailand's wonderful coastal waters.
Most holidaymakers would agree that Thailand is best during the British winter. It is in the northern hemisphere, too, so it is cooler from November to February, just like the UK. In addition, the chances of being hit by monsoons – and rough seas – are less likely in the winter. That's a good thing to know if you want to swim, snorkel or scuba dive during your stay.
For the aforementioned reasons, family holidays in Thailand are best conducted in winter. However, this limits when most families will be able to travel to the country. Those with pre-school children should consider January when British schools have started a new term. Prices tend to drop significantly at this time.
If you are tied to the school holidays, then bear in mind that Christmas is a big time for the travel industry generally. This includes demand for flights to Thailand. However, hotel prices over Christmas don't tend to change unduly. If you have to, then wait until the first half-term break of the new year. Doing so strikes a good balance between a cheap holiday and a good month for travel.
Off-peak travel to Thailand – between May and June – tends to see the most last-minute flights and package holidays being offered. In September, you can also find some last-minute bookings, especially for groups of four or more. Once the new school year has begun in the UK, demand for family package deals wanes.
If you choose to come in April, when Thailand is usually very hot, then you can sometimes find bargains, too. However, avoid holiday dates that coincide with the country's Songkran Festival. After that, many tourists leave for home or move on elsewhere. As a result, a last-minute drop in accommodation prices can coincide with the festival's immediate aftermath.
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Pai are all popular tourist hotspots in Thailand's beautiful northern region. The North has its own culture and culinary traditions. It is also an amazing place to encounter wildlife in their natural habitat, including Asian elephants. Since this part of the country doesn't benefit from cooling sea breezes, you should consider winter travel there. The North is particularly lush after the monsoon season. This means early winter is a good time. Consider booking in late November or early December to see this part of the country at its verdant best.
Travelling to a southern resort like Phuket, which faces the Andaman Sea, is best from December to February. This is when the sea is calmest, and the air is coolest, hence its popularity. Book early for a holiday deal to Thailand during this peak season.
Resorts on the Gulf of Thailand, which is on the Malay peninsula's eastern side, tend to enjoy more stable weather. As such, the peak season in places like Koh Samui and Koh Phangan often goes on longer. Therefore, it is sometimes easier to get a deal on a package holiday in this part of the South without having to book so early. If you're coming to dive, then April and May are both good months for this activity.
Whether you want to head to the North or the South of Thailand, the country has much to offer. What's more, you'll find it an enchanting place to visit, whichever month you choose to come.
A: The low season in Thailand is from May until June, when many of the best deals are available. September is also a good month for cheap travel to Thailand. September is the rainy season in the country, which can put off some tourists, leading to cheaper travel fares.
A: April is the hottest month to travel to Thailand. Temperatures above 40°C are not unheard of. Big cities, like Bangkok, can be unbearably hot at such times. If you travel in April, consider staying in a coastal resort, where cooling winds can help you avoid the worst of the heat.
A: This is a matter of opinion, but for a holiday, November, December and January are often considered the best months to visit Thailand. It is cool and generally dry in February as well. April is the worst month for some because of the heat. However, Thailand is visited for its festivals during this month. As such, many consider May to be the worst time when it is still hot.
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