When to Go

When to Go

Thailand has two climatic regions: tropical savanna in the northern regions and tropical rain forest in the south. Three seasons run from hot (March through May) to rainy (June through September) and cool (October through February). Humidity is high all year, especially during the hot season. The cool season is pleasantly warm in the south, but in the north, especially in the hills around Chiang Mai, it can become quite chilly. The cool season is the peak season. Prices are often twice as high then as in the low seasons, yet hotels are often fully booked.

Holidays

New Year's Day (Jan. 1); Chinese New Year (Jan. 29, 2006); Magha Puja (on the full moon of the third lunar month); Chakri Day (Apr. 6); Songkran (Apr. 13-15); Coronation Day (May 5); Visakha Puja, May (on the full moon of the sixth lunar month); Queen's Birthday (Aug. 12); King's Birthday (Dec. 5). Government offices, banks, commercial concerns, and department stores are usually closed on these days, but smaller shops stay open.