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Chiang Mai climate

The best time to visit Chiang Mai

Generally, the best time to visit Chiang Mai is from November to March when the days are mostly dry and the humidity lower.

All of Thailand gets monsoon winds at some time in the year. They blow alternately from the south-west in summer, and from the north-east in winter. This means that most rain falls in the summer.

When it does rain in Chiang Mai, it is not normally a problem. Usually the rain is a brief, heavy downpour followed by the usual sunshine.

Whatever the time of year, you can enjoy Thailand's perfect tropical holiday climate.

Continued below...

Chiang Mai's seasons

The three main seasons in Chiang Mai are "cool" from November until December which is generally considered the best time to visit; then "hot" from March to May when temperatures can reach the high 30sC and then "rainy" from June until October when temperatures average in the low 30sC. Remember though that Chiang Mai and the north of Thailand is always several degrees cooler than Bangkok and the South, which is another great excuse to make the trip here.

Average Chiang Mai weather statistics

Below are three tables showing average temperatures, hours of sunshine and average rainfall in Chiang Mai as compared to the rest of Thailand

Location Hours of bright sunshine
Min Max
Hrs Month Hrs Month
Chiang Mai 5 Jul-Sep 9 Dec-Mar
Bangkok 9 Jul-Sep 9 Dec-Mar
Pattaya 5 Jul-Sep 9 Dec-Mar
Koh Samui 5.5 Nov 8 Feb
Phuket 5 Jul-Aug 9 Dec-Mar

 

Location Temperature
Day Min Day Max Night Min Night Max
°C Mth °C Mth °C Mth °C Mth
Chiang Mai 28 Dec 36 Apr 13 Jan 23 May-
Sep
Bangkok 31 Oct-
Dec		 35 Apr 20 Dec-
Jan		 25 Apr-
May
Pattaya 31 Oct-
Dec		 35 Apr 20 Dec-
Jan		 25 Apr-
May
Koh Samui 26 Dec 29 Apr-
May		 23 Dec-
Feb		 25 Apr-
Aug
Phuket 30 Sep 33 Mar 23 Jan-
Feb		 25 Apr-
Aug

 

Location Rainfall
Min Max  
mm Month mm Month
Chiang Mai 0 Jan 558 Aug-Sep
Bangkok 37 Dec 558 Sep
Pattaya 25 Jan 279 Oct
Koh Samui 37 Feb 432 Nov
Phuket 25 Jan-Feb 355 Sep

 

Find out what to do in the city of Chiang Mai More info
Find out what to do outside the city of Chiang Mai More info

Recommended Hotels

Travelspeak Chiang Mai's recommended hotel this month is the Empress Hotel, situated on Chang Klan road just a short distance from the famous night bazaar.