Thailand's Three Seasons & The Northern "Smoky Season" Explained
- Cool & Dry Season (November – February): 24–31°C in Bangkok and the islands, and 12–25°C in Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai. Peak season across Bangkok, Northern Thailand, and the Andaman Coast (note: Koh Samui/Phangan/Tao see their brief northeast monsoon rains in November).
- Hot Season & Songkran (March – May): 34–38°C. Great for southern beaches and the Songkran Water Festival (April 13–15). Avoid Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai/Pai between late February and mid-April due to agricultural crop-burning haze.
- Green / Southwest Monsoon Season (June – October): Short afternoon tropical downpours with lush emerald rice paddies in the North and dry, sunny conditions on the Lower Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) through September.