Thailand has a tropical climate. The average day temperature is 30-33°C, while the night temperature rarely falls below 20-24°C, except for some cooler ‘winter’ months (especially in the North and the Northeast).

There are 3 seasons (jokingly called ‘the hot’, ‘the hotter’, and ‘the hottest’)

1. The cool season (November – February)

Cool is a relative term. Temperatures vary between 20 and 30°C! For a real feeling of cold, one has to climb mountains (the highest mountain is Doi Inthanon, 2,565m, reachable by car) or go to the skating rinks in Bangkok, or to Dreamworld, where snowmen can be made and a ride on a sledge can be enjoyed! But even these activities are undertaken in T-shirts or cotton blouses!

When the temperature reaches sub-20 standards, many Thai people envelope themselves in sweaters, furred jackets and balaclavas. In the north or on the northeastern plateau, it can be quite cold though in the evening and in nighttime.

2. The hot season (March – June)

Temperatures average 35-40°C and even climb to 41-44°C! Even night temperatures are quite high (ca 25°C). Thai New Year (Songkran) is celebrated during the hot season (April), when the first rains of the year are expected, enabling farmers to start a new agricultural year.

Enough water (1 ½ to 2 liters per day) should be taken in, as one dehydrates easily in this hot environment. The sun is scorching relentlessly in this season. Bangkok lies at only 14° (north) from the Equator.

3. The rainy season (July – October)

Temperatures decrease a couple of degrees, but with the extremely high humidity (85-90°) the feeling of tropical conditions very much persists. Rainfall is irregular and mostly in the form of short but heavy showers, and increases substantially during the last 2 months. Raincoats are unseen and not recommended, they would only stick to the body and add to the sweaty conditions. Umbrellas are practical, though, even necessities, as the tropical rainfall can be intense. So enormous is the downpour sometimes in a short time that the sewerage systems can not absorb the intake and cities (especially the lower parts of Bangkok) are regularly flooded, causing nightmarish traffic jams in a metropolis already infamous for daily traffic clogging.

Useful tips

Drink enough water, between 1 ½ to 2 liters a day, especially in the hot season and at the beach. Dehydration causes chronic fatigue, one is easily irritated, does not sleep enough and looses concentration capability. A good hint is to put a full big bottle of water (per person) in the fridge in the morning and be assured that it is emptied in the evening.

Most pharmacies sell electrolyte-sachets. The saline powders, often orange-flavoured, can be dissolved in water and supplement the loss of body salts due to abundant perspiration.

Stay away from direct sunshine between 10 am and 4 pm, especially at the beach or swimming pool. Protect your head while going for a prolonged walk (trekking).