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Thailand - seasonality and weather

By Ash Zaman | March 18, 2018

Reading time: 5 minutes

What are the peak periods?

From the middle of October to late February sees the highest influx of tourists to Thailand. With humidity at its lowest and milder temperatures, this time period makes it the most expensive and busiest time to visit. Coinciding with the Australian summer holidays, it's a popular destination for families.

What is the weather like throughout the year?

Thailand is known for it's tropical climate and humid weather with an average temperature throughout the year of 26.7 degrees C. In the year ending 2015, the average rainfall from January to December was 128.5 mm, according to a World Bank Group study. Monsoon season runs from July to October where flooding is common throughout the country and humidity averages at around 90 pet cent. May is also the hottest month to visit, with temperatures reaching 33.4 C and over.

Getting around

What is the most cost effective way to get around?

Bangkok

The BTS Skytrain is one of the most cost effective and efficient ways to get around the city. There are two lines that run through Bangkok: The Silom line runs west to south, while the Sukhumvit line runs north to east, connecting Mo Chit to Bearing. The Skytrain is known for being clean, fast and a great way to avoid traffic jams.

Ideal for tourists, the one-day pass offers unlimited travel for that day for a fixed price of ฿120 (AU$4.6). The Rabbit card is another great option which costs ฿100, plus a ฿50 refundable deposit, and is valid for five years. It can be topped up with a minimum of ฿100  or maximum of ฿4000 for use in the city.

Phuket

Tuk Tuks are a fun and authentic method of transport. However, they are not the most comfortable and the growing popularity has bought an increase in fares. Short distances can see fares start from 100 baht (AU$3.85). The local buses (Song Taews) offer cheap and regular rides. Fares between major towns, such as Phuket to Patong, average at 15-20 baht (AU$0.57-0.77)

Chang Mai

Chang Mai's major attractions and sights are all within close proximity to one another, making walking a popular choice for getting around. Song Taews are also common and are easily recognisable for their bright red exterior. Hop on and off at your own accord and expect to pay as little as 30 baht (AU$1.15) for a trip within the city centre.

Information current as of March 18, 2018. Please check with the relevant websites for the latest information.