Whether it's the centuries-old temples that'll fascinate even those who are not religious; or the sandy, ocean-swept beaches with shaded hammocks, the Land of A Thousand Smiles, as Thailand is known, is a huge favorite with travelers to the South East. Of course, we know there are other attractions that are beyond the pale of strict orthodoxy or puritanical morality such as are to be found in Amsterdam's Red Light District.
At the end of it, whether one is going to have a taste of Tom Yum Goong, the delectable Thai soup usually mixed with some spicy shrimp-that-according to many tongues, is the ultimate Thai culinary experience, or just indulge in other adventures, it's important for travelers to know the best time to visit Thailand. In the same vein, it's just as crucial for travelers to know the best time to avoid Thailand. And that's exactly the gist of this article.
Right off the bat. While Thailand is not exactly huge (at 198,117 miles square, it's approximately three-quarters of Texas)-Thailand's climate is as diverse as its terrain. Obviously, this has implications for travelers.
While one region may be cool or sunny, another side may be drenched in torrential rains and storms. This is important because to a large extent, the worst time to visit a place is also the time of the worst weather.
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Still, before we proceed to the details, By taking in a big-picture view of Thailand's climate, we can be able to tell the worst months to venture there.
In Thailand, the dry months are usually March and April when Thailand can be dangerously hot. In March and April, temperatures usually soar to highs of over 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius).
On the other side of the weather continuum, the rainy season usually starts in June and persists through to October. Incidentally, during these wet months, the sea can also be very rough.
Related: Visiting Bangkok? The City's Grand Palace Is A Must See.
Generally, September is the wettest month in Thailand. While in many countries, rain can keep pouring for many hours, in Thailand, rains that go on for a whole day are rare and far between.
Still, rainfall patterns vary from region to region and, in some places, the skies can be persistent and stubborn.
According to Weather Atlas, the most humid month in Bangkok is September with an average relative humidity of 79%.
So here's the take-home: for those who would rather avoid sweltering heat that can make a vacation uncomfortable, April is the month to keep away from.
Even March should be approached with caution. But for those who can't stand rains and thunderstorms, September is the worst month to set foot on Thailand's soil.
Thailand, as we've said, is diverse. This applies both to its climate and to its terrain. That's the reason a tailored view of weather is perhaps more meaningful.
For the northern regions of Thailand, areas around Chiang Mai, the worst time to visit is between February and April. This is true especially if someone cannot tolerate smoke.
During this time, the hill tribes of the north start burning woods in the fields to prepare for the coming planting season. Unfortunately, there's usually too much smoke to make a vacation enjoyable.
Of course, there are ways one can mitigate the effect of smog. This includes wearing surgical masks and the like. But still, the lack of visibility clouds the appearance of an otherwise beautiful region of Thailand that's ranked the best by U.S. News.
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The regions around Roi Et-and the surrounding northeastern areas-are usually hot almost throughout the year. Unfortunately, they also record some of the highest humidity levels in Thailand.
Obviously, to avoid making a bad situation worse, travelers should not visit this region during its hottest month. It turns out that the hottest month in Roi Et is April.
During this time, the average daily temperatures climb to an average of 96.26 degrees Fahrenheit (35.7 degrees Celsius.) When we come to the eastern region and generally the area around Rayong' Pattaya, the worst time-being the hottest and most humid-is the month of May.
Naturally, April will experience some of May's hot-and-humid spillovers.
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In Bangkok, Thailand's celebrated capital, the hottest month is April. So, for those who would want to avoid temperatures that can get as high as 96 degrees Fahrenheit, it might be advisable to choose any other month but April. On the other hand, if much rain is one's idea of bad weather, then September will be the month to skirt around.
Related: Here Is How You Can Explore Thailand On A Budget.
In the western region, the rains in September can be a real nuisance; perhaps as much of a nuisance as April's heat.
Here's the take-home. While April and September are the months to be avoided when traveling to Thailand, because of heat and rain-respectively, each region exhibits a slight nuance as we've seen in this article.