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To learn more about independent travel to anywhere else in the world, read my ultimate step-by-step guide on how to plan a trip.
9 Steps to Planning a Trip to Thailand
It’s your first time visiting Thailand, so planning the trip can be a little daunting! However, I’m here to make your travel planning a whole lot easier.
From the best time of year to visit, things to do, Thai visa requirements, and more, below you’ll find the nine steps to planning your epic Thailand vacation.
Step 1: Choose the Best Time to Visit Thailand
For your first trip to Thailand, you want it to be amazing! So, the first thing you need to do is find out the best time of year to visit for the type of holiday you want to experience.
For warm, dry, sunny weather, the best time to visit Thailand is between November and early April. While this time may be the high season and prices may be a little higher, it’s the best time to go to enjoy warm, sunny days.
Best Time to Visit for Different Holiday Experiences
You really can visit Thailand any time of year, depending on what you want to do! Here are the best times to visit for various holiday experiences:
- Beach holiday: December to March or July to September. December to March is the perfect time to spend your days on the beaches of the West Coast, including, Khao Lak, Phi Phi Islands, Railay, and Phuket. However, Thailand’s East Coast experiences its dry season from July to September, making those months ideal for a holiday on Koh Tao, Koh Samui, or Koh Phangan.
- Festival season: Late November to late February. If you’d like to experience the magic and wonder of the Thailand festival season, these months are the best time to go. Thailand’s most famous lantern festivals, Yi Peng and Loy Krathong, are held in late November. Late January to late February is the best time to head to Bangkok for the Chinese New Year festival, which sees the streets of Bangkok filled with lanterns, fireworks, dragons, worshippers, and tourists.
- Low prices: Year-round. Like most countries in Southeast Asia, Thailand experiences not one, but two monsoon seasons. The South-West monsoon season runs from May to October, affecting the West Coast. The North-East monsoon season runs from November to March, affecting the East Coast. Due to the humidity and rain, during these months you can save big on domestic and international flights, accommodation, and activities.
- Scuba diving: November to April. Thailand has some of the most beautiful diving sites in all of Asia, attracting divers from around the world. The Andaman Sea is one of the best places to go scuba diving in Thailand. Perfect diving conditions are found between the months of November and April. Keep in Mind that the Surin and Similan marine parks are closed from mid-May to mid-October
Tip: Understanding the best time to travel to Thailand can be based on different holiday experiences. Anne Bauso from Travel + Leisure explains why you might want to avoid planning a trip to Thailand during the heaviest monsoons.
