Seasons in Thailand: Hot, Rainy, Cool — What Changes at School
Three Seasons: Heat in April, Poncho in July, Jacket at 08:00 in January
Mornings at our office in Ban Lum tell you the season before the calendar does: sticky heat by 07:00 in April, a sky heavy with rain by lunch in July, and a jacket at 08:00 assembly in January. Thailand has three broad seasons, and none of them should stop you coming. The months below are rough ranges.
Three Seasons: Hot, Rain, Cool
Rough month ranges. They shift a little by region and from year to year.
Hot Season (ฤดูร้อน, ruedu ron)
April is usually the hottest month, and afternoons on the central and northern plains can be very hot. Most of it falls in the long school break, which is when Songkran happens in mid April. Drink plenty of water and keep outdoor time for early morning.
Rainy Season (ฤดูฝน, ruedu fon)
The southwest monsoon brings rain, usually as short, heavy bursts rather than all-day drizzle. School still runs. Keep a poncho in your bag and a spare pair of shoes at school.
Cool Season (ฤดูหนาว, ruedu nao)
Drier air and clearer skies. In the North, cool-season mornings are often 14–18°C in December and January, so a jacket at 08:00 assembly makes sense. Afternoons warm up again.
By Region: Andaman vs. Gulf Rain
Two monsoons give the south two different rainy seasons. Months are rough ranges.
| Region | Wettest Months | Cool Season | At School |
|---|---|---|---|
| NorthSukhothai, Chiang Mai, Tak | Often around Aug–SepShort afternoon bursts | 14–18°C morningsDecember and January | A light jacket for 08:00 assembly. By the afternoon, fans or air conditioning are back on. |
| Central Plains & Bangkok | Often around Sep–OctAfternoon storms | Shorter and milderBrief cooler spell | Humid most of the year. Heavy rain can flood streets and slow traffic, so allow extra time to get home. |
| Andaman CoastPhuket, Krabi, Ranong | About May–OctSouthwest monsoon | Warm most of the year | Rougher seas in the rainy months. Boat and ferry trips can be cut back on stormy days. |
| Gulf IslandsKoh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao | About Oct–DecNortheast monsoon | Warm most of the year | The Gulf islands get their rain later than the Andaman coast. Samui can be at its wettest just as Phuket is drying out. |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
School Terms: What the Weather Means at School
Many schools follow these terms, but your school's calendar PDF beats any blog dates.
Semester 1
Term starts as the heat gives way to the first rains: warm afternoons, afternoon downpours and green rice fields. October is the mid-year break; see the October school break.
Semester 2
Cool-season mornings in December and January, then warmer days again for exams in February and March. The long break follows, with Songkran in April. For term dates, see the Thai school calendar.
Cool Assembly, Warm Classroom
New teachers are often surprised that northern classrooms still use fans or air conditioning in December. Assembly at 08:00 feels cool; a room of thirty students at 14:00 doesn't. Dress in layers.
Rain Doesn't Cancel School
Afternoon storms are normal in the rainy season. Students hold umbrellas between buildings, lessons carry on, and PE moves under cover. Serious flooding is rare; if it does change the timetable, your school will tell you, usually on LINE.
Festivals by Season: Songkran, Loi Krathong, Flowers
The big celebrations follow the seasons.
Songkran (วันสงกรานต์)
Thai New Year, with 13–15 April as public holidays, right in the hot season, which is part of why the water fights feel so good. Schools are usually on their long break. For the rest of the year, see festivals in Thailand.
Loi Krathong (ลอยกระทง)
Held on the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month, usually in November as the cool season begins, so the date moves every year. It's often a school day. See Loi Krathong and Yi Peng.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Usually held in early February, when cool, dry weather suits the flowers. It makes an easy long-weekend trip from the lower North. In January, don't miss Teachers' Day at school.
What to Pack: Poncho, Spare Shoes, a Jacket
What lives in my bag, season by season.
Poncho and Spare Shoes
A cheap hooded poncho from any 7-Eleven stays in your bag or under your scooter seat from June to October. Keep a spare pair of school shoes and socks at school for the days you arrive soaked.
A Light Jacket
In the North, 08:00 assembly is outdoors. A light jacket or cardigan covers cool-season mornings in December and January, and you'll take it off by mid-morning.
Breathable but Smart
School dress stays smart all year, so pick breathable cotton or linen rather than dressing down. See the teacher dress code.
How to Get Ready for Thailand's Three Seasons
Four steps before your first term:
- Know the Three Seasons: Hot season is roughly March to May, rainy season roughly June to October, and cool season roughly November to February. The months are rough ranges and shift a little by region and year.
- Dress for 08:00 Assembly: In the North, bring a light jacket for cool-season mornings in December and January, often around 14–18°C at 08:00 assembly. By the afternoon, classrooms usually still run fans or air conditioning.
- Carry a Poncho and Spare Shoes: From June to October, keep a poncho in your bag and a spare pair of shoes at school. Rain usually comes in short bursts, and school still runs.
- Plan From Your School's Calendar: Semester 1 usually runs from about May to September and Semester 2 from about November to March. Your school's calendar PDF beats any blog dates, including ours.
Apps Our Teachers Use
Handy whatever the weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three seasons in Thailand?
Thailand has three broad seasons: hot (roughly March to May), rainy (roughly June to October) and cool (roughly November to February). The months are rough ranges and shift a little by region and year.
Does rain cancel school in Thailand?
No. Rain usually comes in short, heavy bursts, and school still runs. Carry a poncho and keep spare shoes at school. Serious flooding is rare, and if it does change the timetable, your school will tell you.
How cold does it get in Northern Thailand?
Cool-season mornings in the North, in provinces such as Sukhothai and Chiang Mai, are often around 14–18°C in December and January, so bring a light jacket for 08:00 assembly. Afternoons warm up, and classrooms usually still use fans or air conditioning.
Why do the Andaman coast and the Gulf islands have different rainy months?
They catch different monsoons. The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) gets most of its rain from about May to October. The Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) get theirs later, roughly October to December.
When are the school terms in Thailand?
Many Thai schools run Semester 1 from about May to September and Semester 2 from about November to March, with a break in October and a long break from about April to mid May. Check your school's calendar PDF: it beats any blog dates.
When are Songkran and Loi Krathong?
Songkran is in mid April, with 13–15 April as public holidays, in the hot season. Loi Krathong falls on the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month, usually in November as the cool season begins, so the date changes every year.
Written by Matthew John
Co-Founder & Operations Manager : 20 Years in ThailandI'm Matthew, co-founder of Kids English Thailand. I've lived in Thailand for 20 years and work from our office in Ban Lum, Sukhothai. Since 2009 we have placed over 1,500 teachers in Thai schools, and this is what we tell them about the weather before they arrive.
