Certainly for anyone living in the western world, a trip to Thailand is a major excursion. Planning your visit for the time of year that best suits you is an important consideration, and there are a lot of ways you can look at the decision, depending on your priorities. Generally speaking, there are four details most people will want to pay attention to when planning this awesome trip: the crowds, the holidays, the financial expense and the weather.
So what’s the best time to visit Thailand? Firstly, the high season is the high season for a reason, namely the combination of lower heat and scarce rain from November to March. As a result, the crowds and prices swell. For a less expensive trip with fewer fellow tourists, your best options are April (if you can take the super heat) or October (cooler than April but more rainfall).
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism & Sports maintains some very detailed statistics on the more than 38 million tourists visiting Thailand each year. Likewise, the Thai Meteorological Department provides monthly rainfall averages going back 40 years. Taken together, we get a clear picture of the tourism reality in Thailand.
The Crowds
To begin with, Thailand is not particularly small in size nor population. It is about 20% larger than California but its population is nearly double that, at about 70 million. Bangkok itself is roughly equivalent to New York City in population (over 8 million people reside there) but it is almost precisely twice the physical size. One needs only to reflect on the numbers – a country of 70 million people welcomes over 38 million tourists annually – to reckon the importance of the tourist industry in the Thai economy. There is a very big difference in the portion of these tourists visiting Thailand during the high season as compared to the low season. On average, we are talking about an average of 600,000 people more per month during the high season.
The high season for tourism in Thailand is definitely from November to March. The low season for the crowds of tourists runs the rest of the year, from April through October. In 2018, the transition from October to November saw the tourist numbers shoot up from 2.7 to 3.2 million, and they reached a peak in December at 3.8 million. Taking a step back and looking at the year as a whole, that peak in December is 45% higher than the lowest point in September, when there were 2.65 million visitors in 2018. So imagine about 3 tourists on the street in December for every 2 in September. This has a direct effect on the relative rates and ease of booking tourist accommodations.
The Money
In 2018, international tourists spent a whopping $65 billion in Thailand. We can see some differences between high and low seasons, and there are some things you can do to save money if you plan ahead.
The revenue per tourist hit a low of $1,580 in June, whereas February the month with the highest revenue, cost the average guest 11% more, at $1,760. So, the savings are better than nothing, but it’s probably not going to make or break your trip. The greatest savings should be available when booking accommodation, due to the heightened competition for business during the low season.
Looking at the tourist numbers along with the money being spent, we can see that you stand to get away on the cheap in April, May and June, when the number of visitors is below average. October and September get an honorable mention here, with the smallest crowds and more or less average expense.
Probably the best thing you can do to ensure an economical trip to Thailand is book in advance. That goes for airfare and hotels alike. Second best would be to try to negotiate prices on merchandise and even accommodation. Especially during the low season, or even just before it, you may be able to negotiate better deals than during the peak season.
The Holidays
The good news is that there are many holidays year round in Thailand, and always lots to do. Some of the most popular and important holidays celebrated in Thailand are:
New Years Eve/Day
Dec 31/Jan 1 – everyone loves New Years, and Thailand is no exception. Major party time, to be sure. What’s unique here, though, is that our New Year’s celebration is really the first of 3 such celebrations during the year.
Chinese Lunar New Year
Ranges between Jan 21 & Feb 21 – as the name indicates, this is a lunar holiday based on the Chinese lunar calendar. It is also just the beginning of what, in China, is a 15-day period of celebration. In Thailand, the first three days are widely observed. Families and friends gather and eat tremendous amounts of food (note: more than usual), and pay respect to their deceased relatives. Chinese Lunar New Year falls on January 25 in 2020, February 5 in 2021, and February 1 in 2022.
Makha Bucha
First full moon day of March – Thailand remains heavily Buddhist, and throughout the year they have holidays which the Thais refer to as “monk days”. Even if you don’t know about Buddhism, just know that the many glorious temples throughout Thailand are occupied by monks, many of whom are men in society who go in and out of the monkhood at different periods of their lives. It is part of the culture for the devout to bring food and gifts to the monks on these “monk day” holidays, and Makha Bucha is probably the most important one. If you can catch Makha Bucha, it would be worth seeing at a temple of your choice. Incidentally, alcohol sales are prohibited on this day.
Chakri Day
April 6 – this is an administrative holiday, sort of the Thai equivalent to Independence Day in that is a celebration of the founding of the beloved monarchy, the Chakri Dynasty, by King Rama I in 1782. Schools and most businesses are closed on this day. Furthermore, if April 6 lands on a weekend, the holiday is observed on Monday, so basically all weekend. And you can think about your own holidays like this and imagine what the Thais might do on a Friday before a 3-day weekend. Those who can, take off. Additionally, this holiday is just a few short days before the next holiday on the list, Songkran, which is one of the biggest holidays of the year. So, expect heavy migration on these dates, and expect travel prices within Thailand to be heavily inflated as well.. These are some things to consider if you are traveling to Thailand at that time, since you can expect a lot of Thais to be taking the days off, and thus a lot of businesses to be closed for the day, and you can also expect a lot more people at the airports and on the roads and all other forms of transportation.
Songkran
April 13 – New Year’s #3!! And this one is the traditional Thai New Year. Actually, it is the traditional new year for much of Southeast Asia, working off of the Buddhist Calendar. This calendar is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian Calendar used in the west, so 2019 is actually 2562BE in Thailand. No wonder you feel jet-lagged! The Songkran festival actually runs 3 days in most years – from April 13 to April 15 – but in some years (like 2019) the festival is extended to the 16th in the interest of giving people more time and opportunities to travel. That’s how many people are traveling at this time. Thanksgiving travel in the US would be a reasonable comparison. Occurring right in the middle of the hottest month of the year, Songkran has taken on a water fight theme. Revelers celebrate by obliterating one another with water guns and buckets of water. It’s a fun holiday, and definitely a reason to choose to plan your trip to Thailand during the very hot beginning of the low season.
Visakha Bucha
Usually in May or June – This is another “monk day” based on the lunar holiday. This is another day when schools and a lot of businesses are closed and when Thai Buddhists “make merit” at the temples. Alcohol sales are prohibited on this day. Note that, if the holiday falls on a weekend, the day off will be extended through the following Monday.
Queen Suthida’s Birthday
June 3 – Queen Suthida is the wife of King Rama X, who has been in the role of king since his father King Bhumibol’s death in October 2016, and was retroactively coronated King of Thailand in May of 2019. On May 1, 2019, the announcement was made that the royal couple had been married. This date of June 3 will ostensibly increase in importance in Thai culture going forward into the future. Traditionally, Mother’s Day in Thailand is observed on the Queen’s birthday. So far, they have not made the switch to the birthday of the new queen.
Asalha Bucha
Full Moon, Usually in July – this is the third of three major “monk days” based on the life of Buddha. This is a really big moment in the Buddhist calendar because the monks are about to enter 3 months of meditation and seclusion within the temple. It’s another day when the Buddhists bring food and goods as gifts to the monks, and in actuality this is done the day before the holiday. If you arrive on Asalha Bucha, the monks will already be preparing for their months of meditation. Once again, schools and many businesses will be closed on this day. No alcohol may be sold.
Buddhist Lent Day
The Day After Asalha Bucha (see above) – this is the day when the monks “go in” for their 3 months of seclusion and meditation. Again, most businesses are closed and there is no school. Oh, and it is no coincidence that the three months of meditation within the temples begins at this time of year – it coincides with the rainiest part of the year. Theologically, the three months of seclusion and meditation is in honor of Buddha’s ascent and 3-month visit to heaven.
King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday
July 28 – King Rama X is the new king, having assumed the role of constitutional monarch after his father’s death in October 2016 and been formally coronated in May 2019. As with his wife’s birthday on June 3, we expect that Father’s Day in Thailand will one day be on this date, but they have not yet changed that holiday from the birthday of Rama IX, who was and still is deeply loved by the Thai people.
Mother’s Day / The Queen’s Birthday
August 12 – This date is still Mother’s Day, and it is so because it is the birthday of the King’s mother. It is a bit more serious than our Mother’s Day in the west. Again, here is a holiday when schools and most businesses are closed, and if it falls on a weekend it extends to the following Monday.
Anniversary of the Death of King Bhumibol (Rama IX)
October 13 – the beloved and revered King Rama IX passed away on October 13, 2016. It is a new holiday, a new day off from school and work for many. If it falls on a weekend, the day off extends to the following Monday.
End of Buddhist Lent Day
Three months after Buddhist Lent Day in July – this is the end of the 3-month period when the monks go into seclusion and meditation within the temples. It is a day off from school and work for many, and it is the 5th “monk day” holiday on which alcohol sales are prohibited.
Chulalongkorn Day
October 23 – Rama V, King Chulalongkorn, was one of the most respected kings in the Chakri Dynasty, the royals who still hold the monarchy today. He was a great reformer and Thai patriot. King Chulalongkorn’s diplomatic skills were integral to the protection of Thai national sovereignty during his rule, from 1868 to 1910, which was globally a period of great strife, industrialization and colonization. It is to his credit that Thailand remains the only southeast Asian country to have never been colonized. He also abolished slavery. Schools and many businesses are closed on his day of commemoration. If the holiday is on a weekend, folks get Monday off.
Halloween
October 31 – Halloween is a fun, party holiday in Thailand, and a lot of people get into it. Bangkok is a perfect party town to go enjoy the festivities! There is something for everyone on Halloween in Thailand.
Loy Krathong
Night of the Full Moon in November – a lunar-calendar holiday which is very beautiful, known as “The Festival of Lights”. “Krathong” are decorated banana leaf floats with lanterns on them, and they are floated into local waters, creating a beautiful scene. Different regions have different variations on the tradition. Loy Krathong is definitely a great cultural experience to have on your trip to Thailand.
Father’s Day / King Bhumibol’s Birthday
December 5 – the birthday of the highly-respected Rama IX, who passed on October 13, 2016. His birthday is still recognized as Father’s Day. Even if, one day, they change Father’s Day to be on the new king’s birthday, they will probably always recognize King Bhumibol’s birthday, since he was loved so much. As with Mother’s Day, schools and most businesses are closed, and the holiday extends to Monday if it falls on a weekend.
Constitution Day
December 10 – commemorates the adoption of the first constitution in Thai history. Schools and most businesses are closed, and if it falls on a weekend the holiday is extended to the following Monday.
Christmas Eve / Christmas
December 24 & 25 – there are a lot of expats in Thailand, where Christmas is observed but not a public holiday.
The Weather
And now we get to the driving force behind the high and low travel seasons. The two most important variables related to the weather in Thailand are heat and rain. Thailand is hot, in case you weren’t sure. Quite hot, indeed. As demonstrated in the chart below, December is the only month with an average temperature below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, when we say it cools off in the off-season, it is more that the stifling heat goes away, which is nice to be sure. But you can see that, while temperatures in the 70s become more prevalent in December and January, 90-degree days are still possible.
The other big difference is the rain. From May to October, the rainfall is dramatically greater than the other months, averaging more than 7 inches of rain each month.
Taken all together, then, you can have the best weather from November to March, but pay a premium. Conversely, you can deal with increased heat and rain but save some money in the low season. If saving money is the top priority, June is the choice. If all you care about is beating the crowds, it’s September.
From the perspective that it’s going to be hot more often than not anyway, I’d recommend embracing it, dodging the rain and touching down in BKK sometime in April. You could have the added benefit of enjoying the wet’n’wild fun of Songkran, the Thai New Year, on April 13.
The Best Time to Visit Thailand – Planning Calendar
So, that’s a lot of information to digest and synthesize! Here is a really convenient reference which we put together, incorporating most of the info, here at www.BKK411.com to help you plan your visit to Thailand. The calendar shows the high & low seasons, the major holidays each month, avg monthly temperatures, avg monthly rainfall, and number of tourists monthly. This is intended to provide you with a nice visual representation of the tourism year as a whole in Thailand. Enjoy!
