Secret Thailand > Best Times To Travel
Precipitation is a bigger factor than temperature in deciding when to go to Thailand. High season is dry season. Low, or monsoon season, is cleverly referred to as greeen season. The unpredictable rainstorms that come this time of year can flood streets in no time. The monsoon rains generally don't last too long...some just a few minutes. Occasionally though there will be a stretch of a couple of rainy days with no sun. This can really hinder your golfing or beach time and is something to seriously take in to account if your plans are dependent on sunshine.
If your pursuits are more of the indoor variety, or you don't mind getting wet, the green season is probably the best time to travel. Not only do prices drop dramatically, but so does the number of tourists, referred to as farangs in Thai. There are still plenty of people and plenty of action, just not of massive proportions. The cost of a room will be much lower and often a free night is added if you stay for a few nights in a row. The more touristy the area, the bigger the difference in price from season to season. It's not just the cost of accommodations that drops, but also the price of food, drink, tours, activies, handcrafts, and market goods. Even a lady's company for the evening can be negotiated to much lower prices than in high season.
The general consensus is that it takes at least two weeks for your body to adjust to the temperature and humidity differences. Even after that it is essential to stay hydrated. Make a point to always have a bottle of water with you. Take advantage of the cooler mornings for sightseeing and try to stay out of the sun for the hottest periods of the day. Air con is you friend and every 7-11 convenience store has it. Walking around the store for just a few minutes can really lower your body temp. And besides, checking out all of the unfamiliar flavors of crisps can be entertaining. Taxi cabs are another excellent source of air conditioning. Catching a ride somewhere in the middle of the day is a great respite from the heat.
Best Times To Travel To Thailand
Thailand's high season runs November through April. The weather is rather warm, but not tortuously hot this time of year. During these dry months Southern Thailand, places like Phuket and Koh Samui, expereinces relatively little rain and warm temperatures, with highs averaging between 30 and 32 Celsius (85-90 F). To the North, Pattaya has little rain during the dry season and similarly warm temperatures. The mercury starts to creep up past 32 degrees Celsius (mid-80's F) as April approaches, and humidity levels really start to rise. For those not used to tropical climates, the end of high season can become uncomfortable.Precipitation is a bigger factor than temperature in deciding when to go to Thailand. High season is dry season. Low, or monsoon season, is cleverly referred to as greeen season. The unpredictable rainstorms that come this time of year can flood streets in no time. The monsoon rains generally don't last too long...some just a few minutes. Occasionally though there will be a stretch of a couple of rainy days with no sun. This can really hinder your golfing or beach time and is something to seriously take in to account if your plans are dependent on sunshine.
If your pursuits are more of the indoor variety, or you don't mind getting wet, the green season is probably the best time to travel. Not only do prices drop dramatically, but so does the number of tourists, referred to as farangs in Thai. There are still plenty of people and plenty of action, just not of massive proportions. The cost of a room will be much lower and often a free night is added if you stay for a few nights in a row. The more touristy the area, the bigger the difference in price from season to season. It's not just the cost of accommodations that drops, but also the price of food, drink, tours, activies, handcrafts, and market goods. Even a lady's company for the evening can be negotiated to much lower prices than in high season.
The general consensus is that it takes at least two weeks for your body to adjust to the temperature and humidity differences. Even after that it is essential to stay hydrated. Make a point to always have a bottle of water with you. Take advantage of the cooler mornings for sightseeing and try to stay out of the sun for the hottest periods of the day. Air con is you friend and every 7-11 convenience store has it. Walking around the store for just a few minutes can really lower your body temp. And besides, checking out all of the unfamiliar flavors of crisps can be entertaining. Taxi cabs are another excellent source of air conditioning. Catching a ride somewhere in the middle of the day is a great respite from the heat.
