Travel guide · Best Time to Visit
Best Time to Visit Thailand: Two Coasts, Two Monsoons, One Simple Rule
By The Beyond Points Team · Published 2026-07-26 · Last verified 2026-07-26
The short answer: The overall best time to visit Thailand is the cool, dry season from November to February — ideal for Bangkok, the north, and the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) — but there's a crucial twist: the Andaman and Gulf coasts have opposite monsoons. The Andaman side is driest ~November–April; the Gulf side (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) is driest ~February–September and wettest October–December. So the simple rule is: pick the coast that's dry on your dates rather than chasing one "Thailand season." For points travelers, timing mostly shifts island-hotel prices (spiky in each coast's high season) more than the flight. See Thailand on points for the trip playbook.
Thailand month by month
Thailand has three broad seasons — cool/dry, hot, and green/wet — but the islands split by coast. This is a typical pattern; confirm current conditions, as monsoon timing shifts year to year.
| Months | Bangkok / North | Andaman (Phuket, Krabi) | Gulf (Koh Samui) | Crowds & price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov–Feb | Cool, dry — best | Dry — peak season | Improving; some rain early | Peak (Andaman & mainland) |
| Mar–May | Very hot; April haze north | Hot, mostly dry (early) | Dry — good | Shoulder; Songkran (Apr) spikes |
| Jun–Sep | Green/wet (afternoon rain) | Wet/monsoon — low season | Driest — best on the Gulf | Low on Andaman; good Gulf value |
| Oct | Wet, easing | Wet, easing | Turning wet | Low — shoulder |
| Nov–Dec | Cool, dry | Dry — peak begins | Wettest — Gulf low season | Split by coast |
The one rule that solves most of this: Andaman coast for a Nov–April trip; Gulf coast for a June–September trip. Bangkok and the north are best in the cool, dry Nov–Feb window.
The best months to aim for
- November–February — the overall sweet spot for Bangkok, the north, and the Andaman islands: dry, cooler, and lively (also peak prices).
- February–April — great on the Andaman coast and still dry on the Gulf; hot inland, with Songkran (Thai New Year) in mid-April a highlight.
- June–September — the smart pick for the Gulf islands (Koh Samui at its driest), and a lush, cheap "green season" elsewhere on the Andaman side.
- October and November–December — transition months; check the specific coast, as the Gulf turns wet just as the Andaman dries out.
How the season plays by region
- Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Khao Lak) — dry and calm November–April; monsoon (bigger surf, more rain) May–October, when prices drop.
- Gulf coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) — driest and best roughly February–September; wettest October–December, opposite the Andaman side.
- Bangkok & central — cool, dry November–February is ideal; March–May is very hot; June–October brings afternoon downpours.
- The North (Chiang Mai) — cool season is lovely; avoid the March–April agricultural "burning season" haze.
How the season changes booking on points
- Flights — award space into Bangkok tightens around the November–February peak and holidays; book premium cabins early via a no-surcharge Star program, Singapore KrisFlyer, or Qatar. The long-haul price doesn't swing much by season, but availability does.
- Hotels — each coast's high season spikes both cash rates and dynamic points prices, while fixed-chart Hyatt holds steady (see World of Hyatt sweet spots). Green-season resort deals on the Andaman side can be very cheap on cash — compare.
Cash vs. points by season
- Flights: points for business year-round on the long-haul; book peak-season space early.
- Hotels: usually points, but each coast's low season brings cheap cash resort deals worth comparing against an award night.
Run the points vs. cash for hotels comparison, especially in green season when cash resort rates can undercut a dynamic award.
Common mistakes
- Assuming one "Thailand season." The coasts are opposite — a rainy Phuket week can be a perfect Koh Samui week, and vice versa.
- Booking the Gulf in October–December. That's Koh Samui's wettest window, just as the Andaman side hits its dry peak.
- Visiting Chiang Mai in March–April. Burning-season haze can spoil the mountain air and views.
- Paying peak points at island high season. Compare fixed-chart Hyatt and low-season cash deals.
- Transferring points before confirming availability. Confirm the seat and hotel first — transfers can't be undone.
How Beyond Points helps
Thailand's timing is really a coast-selection problem layered on award availability and dynamic hotel pricing: the right island flips with the calendar, peak-season awards get scarce, and low-season cash deals can beat points on the resort. Getting it right means lining up dates, coast, flight, and hotel together.
Beyond Points weighs the programs and cash fares into Bangkok for your dates, and hotel awards against cash on each coast — then recommends when to go for dry skies and the best value.
Conclusion
Thailand's best time comes down to one rule: pick the coast that's dry on your dates. November–February is the overall peak — ideal for Bangkok, the north, and the Andaman islands — while June–September is the moment for the Gulf's Koh Samui. Book peak-season flights and hotels early, lean on fixed-chart Hyatt when prices spike, compare green-season cash deals, and confirm space before you transfer. Time it well and Thailand delivers dry beaches and outstanding value.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Thailand?
Overall, the cool, dry season from November to February — best for Bangkok, the north, and the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi). But the Gulf islands (Koh Samui) run on an opposite calendar, so the real answer depends on which region you're visiting. Pick the coast that's dry on your dates.
Why do Phuket and Koh Samui have different weather?
They sit on opposite coasts with opposite monsoons. The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) is driest roughly November–April, while the Gulf coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) is driest roughly February–September and wettest October–December. That's why a rainy week on one coast can be a perfect week on the other.
When should I visit Koh Samui?
Roughly February through September, when the Gulf coast is at its driest — the reverse of the Andaman islands. Avoid October to December, which is Koh Samui's wettest window, precisely when Phuket and Krabi are entering their dry high season.
Is the green (low) season a bad time for Thailand?
Not necessarily. The Andaman side's green season (roughly June–October) brings lush scenery, fewer crowds, and cheap resort deals, with rain often falling in short afternoon bursts. And it's the best, driest time for the Gulf islands. Just match your destination to the season and keep flexible plans.
Does the season change points value in Thailand?
Mostly on hotels: each coast's high season spikes cash rates and dynamic points prices, while fixed-chart Hyatt holds steady. Flight award space also tightens around the November–February peak, so book premium cabins early. The long-haul mileage price itself doesn't swing much by season.
When is Songkran, and should I plan around it?
Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival, falls in mid-April and is a joyful nationwide highlight — but it also spikes domestic travel and prices. It's wonderful to experience in Bangkok or Chiang Mai; just book ahead and expect crowds and higher fares that week.