Traveling in Thailand during peak season is obviously the busiest and most expensive time to do so. But there’s a reason everyone wants to come at the same time – the weather is great! Warm sunlight and very little rain are irresistible attractions for travelers fleeing winter in their home countries.
Just as there are some advantages to traveling during the monsoon season in Thailand, the peak season certainly has its advantages. Along with a pleasant climate to enjoy the many great outdoors in Thailand, you will have more open business options.
Some islands like Koh Lanta that were basically closed during the monsoon season will be back open for the high season. The Andaman Sea will be bluer than ever, offering good visibility for snorkeling and diving that is unaffected by rain.
Peak season in Thailand
First things first, when is peak season in Thailand? The answer is really debatable, but most people generally consider the peak season in Thailand to coincide with the dry season months of November to April. The “shoulder” months at either end of that range can be wet or dry. If you’re willing to take a little risk with the weather, these are often pleasant months to travel.
The number of tourists begins to fall rapidly a couple of weeks after Songkran (the traditional Thai New Year celebration) ends on April 15. Not only is April the hottest month in Thailand, the monsoon season begins shortly after, usually sometime in May.
Thailand is a popular vacation destination. Christmas, New Years, and especially Chinese New Years (in January or February) see the crowds increase as vacation travelers take advantage of the holidays.
Festivals during high season
In addition to the three big parties mentioned above, various festivals will make the peak season even busier. Be prepared!
- Loi Krathong – The beautiful festival combined to celebrate Loi Krathong and Yi Peng makes things get more crowded every November. Chiang Mai and northern Thailand destinations will be the hardest hit.
- Songkran: The days before and after April 13 can only be described as total chaos in Chiang Mai. Tens of thousands of travelers will arm themselves with buckets or water cannons for the world’s largest water fight. Traffic and accommodation in Bangkok and Chiang Mai are affected.
- Wonderfruit Festival – Thailand’s largest art and music festival is held outside Pattaya every year in December. The beaches near Bangkok along the coast will be hit by a larger number of backpackers than usual.
Weather during peak season in Thailand
Typically, monsoon rain in Bangkok peaks in September, subsides a bit in October, and then falls sharply in mid-November. But as all farmers and tour operators in Thailand will attest, the climate has changed in the last decade and is much less predictable. When the seasonal rains will start and stop each year, no one knows.
Temperatures between November and February are warm but bearable. The average high in Bangkok in January is 90.5 F. These are the most ideal months to visit Thailand for pleasant weather. In March, temperatures and humidity begin to rise and rain levels are expected from three showers a day through April until storms start in May.
Due to the shape of Thailand, islands on opposite sides of the country experience slightly different weather patterns. For example, November can be considered the beginning of the dry season in Bangkok, yet it is the rainiest month on the popular island of Koh Samui!
Prices to expect during high season
For obvious reasons, prices are at their worst during peak season in Thailand. Discounts are often more difficult to score. Drivers and sellers are slightly less likely to agree on negotiated prices. They can wait five minutes for an uninformed traveler to come and pay the requested price!
Hotels often have double-pricing schemes based on the seasons, however they can decide when peak season begins for them. Expect hotels in popular places like Phuket to raise prices by as much as 50 percent.
Food and beverage prices remain consistent regardless of the season.
How to avoid crowds
Let’s face it: most people planning a trip to Thailand will rely on a limited number of sources to plan their trips. One or two popular guidebooks and review websites tend to dictate the flow of traffic in Thailand. Choosing the best options or top-rated hotels recommended by these guides is a sure way to end up in the busiest places, spending the most money.
Travelers tend to congregate in the same areas. Staying out of the hotspots along Thailand’s Banana Pancake Trail is one way to avoid the crowds. But you will still have to deal with long lines at popular attractions like the Grand Palace in Bangkok. If you want to avoid the hordes of tourists altogether, you’ll need to travel to less-visited places in Thailand, like the beautiful Isaan region of Northeast Thailand.
For any serious shopping, arrive early at malls like the popular MBK in Bangkok, preferably on a weekday. Weekends and nights get busier as locals flood into shopping malls going to socialize.
The best places to travel during high season
You will have to share beaches and attractions during the high season. But there are some places to go to give yourself a little more room to breathe.
- Koh Lanta – Rather than squeeze in on tiny Koh Phi Phi or bloated Phuket, Koh Lanta is a great nearby alternative. The large island has enough space for everyone, and you can still easily visit the other two from there.
- Ayutthaya – Just two hours north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya is the ancient capital. You will have the option to explore archaeological sites and ruins without having to compete for space at temples like Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaew.
- Kanchanaburi: Located along the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi is a great option to escape the crowds in Bangkok. It’s also a must-see for war history enthusiasts.
- Koh Phangan: Although synonymous with the monthly full moon party, Koh Phangan is a great island! The party’s action is mainly in the small Haad Rin peninsula in the south. Many nice bays and interesting retreats are scattered around the island. Koh Phangan is just a short boat ride from busy Koh Samui, but remember that the phases of the moon will affect travel throughout the Samui Archipelago.
When to book if traveling during high season
The best plan is to book your Thailand high season flight and hotels a few months in advance. But research shows that booking flights too far in advance can lead to a higher airfare. Airlines sometimes lower fare prices 30 to 45 days before departure if they feel there are too many seats left.
Prices for rooms and flights increase during Christmas and New Years. Since the dates for these vacations are fixed, booking months in advance doesn’t help much. Regardless, you should reserve rooms in popular destinations early in case availability is an issue.
You don’t need to book tours and activities online far in advance, even during peak season in Thailand. In fact, doing so will ensure that you pay the maximum price and lose some flexibility for your itinerary. Do some research, but wait to book activities once you arrive in Thailand. Travel agents on every corner, perhaps even with a desk at your hotel reception, will be happy to book tours for you.
Trains in Thailand tend to book even faster than tourist night buses. To get the kind of ticket you want, make reservations several days in advance of planning to travel. Get tickets more than a week in advance to travel during the big Thailand vacation.
Don’t panic if many places already seem full when making reservations during peak season in Thailand. Remember: For every hotel you see online, there are likely many more on the same street that are not listed! Also, hotels often only mark a handful of rooms as available for booking sites. They save the rest for walk-in customers.
