Tourism Seasons by Country
Pick a country to see its tourist season month by month — high season, shoulder season and low season — along with any festivals that affect prices, crowds or closures that month.
Thailand
| Month | Season Description |
|---|---|
| January | November to March is the undisputed high season. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, and the Andaman islands are at full capacity. Hotel prices are 60–100% above low-season rates and should be booked several weeks — often months — in advance. Christmas and New Year (especially on Koh Phangan or in Chiang Mai) are the most expensive nights of the year: cheap guesthouses routinely triple their prices. Flights from Europe and Australia spike sharply. Key sights such as Wat Phra Kaew, the Grand Palace, and Doi Suthep are packed with tour groups. Liveaboard dive boats in the Similan Islands fill up a month ahead. If you travel during this window, plan meticulously and budget generously. |
| February | November to March is the undisputed high season. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, and the Andaman islands are at full capacity. Hotel prices are 60–100% above low-season rates and should be booked several weeks — often months — in advance. Christmas and New Year (especially on Koh Phangan or in Chiang Mai) are the most expensive nights of the year: cheap guesthouses routinely triple their prices. Flights from Europe and Australia spike sharply. Key sights such as Wat Phra Kaew, the Grand Palace, and Doi Suthep are packed with tour groups. Liveaboard dive boats in the Similan Islands fill up a month ahead. If you travel during this window, plan meticulously and budget generously. |
| March | November to March is the undisputed high season. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, and the Andaman islands are at full capacity. Hotel prices are 60–100% above low-season rates and should be booked several weeks — often months — in advance. Christmas and New Year (especially on Koh Phangan or in Chiang Mai) are the most expensive nights of the year: cheap guesthouses routinely triple their prices. Flights from Europe and Australia spike sharply. Key sights such as Wat Phra Kaew, the Grand Palace, and Doi Suthep are packed with tour groups. Liveaboard dive boats in the Similan Islands fill up a month ahead. If you travel during this window, plan meticulously and budget generously. |
| April | Shoulder season offers genuine value for flexible travellers. April brings Songkran — Thailand's Lunar New Year water festival — which transforms Chiang Mai into the country's biggest street party: rooms sell out completely during the 3-day festival and prices double; book months ahead or avoid. May and June see the monsoon arrive on the west coast but Gulf Coast islands (Koh Samui, Koh Tao) remain relatively dry and prices drop 20–40%. September–October is a hidden gem: tourist numbers fall sharply, last-minute rooms are plentiful, and popular restaurants have tables. Koh Samui operators run frequent promotions. The cultural north is unhurried. |
| May | Shoulder season offers genuine value for flexible travellers. April brings Songkran — Thailand's Lunar New Year water festival — which transforms Chiang Mai into the country's biggest street party: rooms sell out completely during the 3-day festival and prices double; book months ahead or avoid. May and June see the monsoon arrive on the west coast but Gulf Coast islands (Koh Samui, Koh Tao) remain relatively dry and prices drop 20–40%. September–October is a hidden gem: tourist numbers fall sharply, last-minute rooms are plentiful, and popular restaurants have tables. Koh Samui operators run frequent promotions. The cultural north is unhurried. |
| June | Shoulder season offers genuine value for flexible travellers. April brings Songkran — Thailand's Lunar New Year water festival — which transforms Chiang Mai into the country's biggest street party: rooms sell out completely during the 3-day festival and prices double; book months ahead or avoid. May and June see the monsoon arrive on the west coast but Gulf Coast islands (Koh Samui, Koh Tao) remain relatively dry and prices drop 20–40%. September–October is a hidden gem: tourist numbers fall sharply, last-minute rooms are plentiful, and popular restaurants have tables. Koh Samui operators run frequent promotions. The cultural north is unhurried. |
| July | July and August are the cheapest months across most of the country. Many Andaman Coast resorts and beach bars reduce services or close temporarily; some inter-island ferries halve their schedules. Budget guesthouses offer discounts of 30–50%. The backpacker trail (Khao San Road, Pai, Chiang Mai) still runs but at reduced volume — hostels have walk-in availability. Gulf-side islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) are in their own dry season and can be a strategic pick during this period, though their prices are relatively higher than the west coast. Trekking operators in the north stay open and are much less crowded. |
| August | July and August are the cheapest months across most of the country. Many Andaman Coast resorts and beach bars reduce services or close temporarily; some inter-island ferries halve their schedules. Budget guesthouses offer discounts of 30–50%. The backpacker trail (Khao San Road, Pai, Chiang Mai) still runs but at reduced volume — hostels have walk-in availability. Gulf-side islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) are in their own dry season and can be a strategic pick during this period, though their prices are relatively higher than the west coast. Trekking operators in the north stay open and are much less crowded. |
| September | Shoulder season offers genuine value for flexible travellers. April brings Songkran — Thailand's Lunar New Year water festival — which transforms Chiang Mai into the country's biggest street party: rooms sell out completely during the 3-day festival and prices double; book months ahead or avoid. May and June see the monsoon arrive on the west coast but Gulf Coast islands (Koh Samui, Koh Tao) remain relatively dry and prices drop 20–40%. September–October is a hidden gem: tourist numbers fall sharply, last-minute rooms are plentiful, and popular restaurants have tables. Koh Samui operators run frequent promotions. The cultural north is unhurried. |
| October | Shoulder season offers genuine value for flexible travellers. April brings Songkran — Thailand's Lunar New Year water festival — which transforms Chiang Mai into the country's biggest street party: rooms sell out completely during the 3-day festival and prices double; book months ahead or avoid. May and June see the monsoon arrive on the west coast but Gulf Coast islands (Koh Samui, Koh Tao) remain relatively dry and prices drop 20–40%. September–October is a hidden gem: tourist numbers fall sharply, last-minute rooms are plentiful, and popular restaurants have tables. Koh Samui operators run frequent promotions. The cultural north is unhurried. |
| November | November to March is the undisputed high season. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, and the Andaman islands are at full capacity. Hotel prices are 60–100% above low-season rates and should be booked several weeks — often months — in advance. Christmas and New Year (especially on Koh Phangan or in Chiang Mai) are the most expensive nights of the year: cheap guesthouses routinely triple their prices. Flights from Europe and Australia spike sharply. Key sights such as Wat Phra Kaew, the Grand Palace, and Doi Suthep are packed with tour groups. Liveaboard dive boats in the Similan Islands fill up a month ahead. If you travel during this window, plan meticulously and budget generously. |
| December | November to March is the undisputed high season. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, and the Andaman islands are at full capacity. Hotel prices are 60–100% above low-season rates and should be booked several weeks — often months — in advance. Christmas and New Year (especially on Koh Phangan or in Chiang Mai) are the most expensive nights of the year: cheap guesthouses routinely triple their prices. Flights from Europe and Australia spike sharply. Key sights such as Wat Phra Kaew, the Grand Palace, and Doi Suthep are packed with tour groups. Liveaboard dive boats in the Similan Islands fill up a month ahead. If you travel during this window, plan meticulously and budget generously. |
Festivals & events
Chinese New Year
High prices
Jan–Feb · approximate dates
Bangkok's Yaowarat Chinatown and Phuket light up; expect crowds and higher prices. Lunar dates, late Jan–Feb.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Celebration
Feb
Three days of flower floats and parades in Chiang Mai, first weekend of February.
Songkran (Thai New Year)
Book ahead
Apr
Nationwide water-fight new year (13–15 Apr). Transport and hotels fill up; many businesses close for days.
Yi Peng & Loi Krathong (Isan Rocket)
Celebration
May · approximate dates
Rocket festival across Isan praying for rain before planting, boisterous in Yasothon. Usually May.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival
Celebration
Oct · approximate dates
Nine days of Taoist rites and street processions in Phuket. Lunar dates, usually late September–October.
Loy Krathong & Yi Peng
Celebration
Nov · approximate dates
Festival of floating lights and sky lanterns, spectacular in Chiang Mai. Dates follow the lunar calendar.
