Best places to visit in Thailand in rainy season

You can travel during rainy season in Thailand, but be prepared that downpours may interrupt your travel plans. Most of Thailand and Southeast Asia are wet from May to October.

Traveling during rainy season in Thailand may not be comfortable, but you can enjoy the lower price for accommodations as well as the mesmerizingly green sceneries. Plus, there are no crowds of tourist in this period, and you can take a lot of photos without being interrupted by others.

Rainy Season in Thailand

The rainy season in the country stretches from June to October. Each part of Thailand receives different levels of rainfall and some places are rainier than the others.

Northern Thailand receives less rain than Central Thailand, and the rains are usually short bursts. You can enjoy lush scenery when trekking around pristine jungles in the area, but remember to bring a high-quality pair of shoes, trekking boots, and insect repellent. There may be leeches in the jungle, so be careful.

Unlike other parts of Thailand, in the Gulf of Thailand (Hua Hin, Koh Samui, and Koh Samet), Thailand’s monsoon season does not hit the area until the end of the year and the amount of rainfall peaks in September and October. On the contrary, Koh Chang, Koh Kood and the East Coast (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi) experience heavy downpours in wet season. Peak rainfall levels last from mid-September to mid-October here, making some small islands inaccessible.

Events and Festival during Rainy Season in Thailand

1. Coronation Day (5^th May)

Coronation Day marks the coronation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej who has reigned the country since 9 June 1946. Given the title “King Rama IX”, he was officially crowned on May 5th, 1950. The ceremony of his coronation takes place on three days. On 3rd May, Buddhist monks gather in the Grand Palace to perform rituals. The chief Buddhist priest reads the coronation proclamation on the next day. On 5 May, the event is celebrated with a 21 gun salute at noon.

2. Bun Bang Fai (May)

Boun Bang Fai or Rocket Festival is celebrated in both Laos and Thailand. It is a ritual to call for rain as well as a celebration of fertility. During this festival, rockets, which are made by stuffing gunpowder into decorated bamboo, are fired into the air. Each village will also put together a committee to judge and give out prizes for the best rockets. Also, the hosts will prepare a variety of traditional food for their guests and visitors.

3. Asahara Bucha (27^th July)

The day before Buddhist Lent is known as Asahara Bucha. This day commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon in the Deer Park in Benares, India. On this day, Thai people gather at some temples to donate offerings and listen to sermons. In the evening, people walk clockwise around the main area of the temple carrying a candle, incense sticks, and lotus flowers.

4. Wan Khao Phansa (July)

Wan Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent Day) marks the first day of Buddhist Lent, a three-month period during the rainy season when all monks are required to remain in one particular temple (wat) to study, meditate and teach new monks. This tradition derives from the legend that the Buddha stayed in temples during this season to avoid killing insects or harming the growing seeds. On this occasion, Thai people made large candles as offerings to be used throughout the wet season.

Recommended Places to Visit during Rainy Season in Thailand

Since Thailand is a vast country, not every place in this country suffers from heavy downpours. Here are 10 suggestions we recommend if you plan to book a tour to Thailand during wet season.

1. Bangkok

Although it rarely rains all day in Bangkok during rainy seasons, be prepared that it rains every day.  Also, note that all cruise trips to floating markets will be canceled due to the downpours.

However, do not let the rain hinder you from exploring this glorious city. There are various indoor activities available in Bangkok, including shopping malls, aquariums, temples, and museums. The Grand Palace in the city is undoubtedly worth visiting; and because of its immense size, we recommend you spend at least a full morning or afternoon here. Within the palace grounds is Wat Phra Kaew; you can find the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand, in one of its buildings. The system of night markets and shopping malls of this city will not disappoint any travelers; some of which can be named are Chatuchak Weekend Market, Khao San Road, Rod Fai Train Market, Patpong Night Market, and the glorious Siam Paragon.

2. Chiang Mai

Located in the further north of Thailand, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are dryer than Bangkok, although they are still affected by rainy seasons. You can still experience downpours sometimes, but they usually occur in the late afternoon, so take advantage of the whole morning to travel around the city.

If you want to stay away from the bustling Bangkok or you get bored with Southern beaches, Chiang Mai is where you can experience the true Thailand. Thanks to its laid-back vibe, interesting culture and great value-for-money food and shopping, this city is a destination for cultural enthusiasts, adventure seekers, natural lovers, and history buffs. Chiang Mai is the home to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most sacred temples in Thailand.

3. Chiang Rai

Though Chiang Mai still draws most of the attention when it comes to Northern Thailand, Chiang Rai attracts tourists for its slower pace of life and tranquil farms, which are at their greenest during rainy season in Thailand. Wat Rong Khun, or the White Temple, is a must-see attraction in Chiang Rai. From the outside, it looks like a Buddhist temple… but it’s not. Actually, this building was built by an artist called Chaloemchai Khositphiphat in 1998. You can spot some extraordinary carvings inside the principal building as well as in the garden. Do not forget to stop over Akha and Lahu ethnic villages and go shopping at Chiang Rai’s Night Bazaar.

4. Pai

Pai is a picturesque town just four hours from Chiang Mai, offering tourists a laid-back atmosphere and tranquil scenery. There is no lack of fun in the town centre with Western-style restaurants, souvenir shops, live music venues, bars, and nightclubs. Cycling around the town is a popular activity in Pai. You can see emerald paddy fields, idyllic local villages, and mesmerizing hills. Around 8 kilometers from Pai, Pai Canyon is a nature reserve which is considered a gem of the town. Coming to this place, you can easily choose a vantage point where you can take a photo of panoramic scenery.

5. Sukhothai

Founded in 1238 by King Ramkhamhaeng, Sukhothai, which means Dawn of Happiness, was the capital city of Sukhothai Kingdom for approximately 140 years. The Sukhothai Kingdom was considered the cradle of Thai art and culture. Sukhothai Historical Park is a well-known attraction in the city which contains numerous historical sites. This place was recognized as UNESCO World Heritage site. Because of its massive size of around 70 square kilometers, the best way to appreciate the beauty of this historical park is cycling. It will be awesome to visit the park at sunset and admire the Buddha images when the sun goes down.

6. Ayutthaya

This city is praised as Thailand’s hidden archaeological gem with its system of Buddhist temples, monasteries, stupas, and statues. Ayutthaya, officially known as Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, is an ancient capital city of Central Thailand. The city was founded in 1351 and referred to as the Ayutthaya Kingdom or Siam. It was the second capital city of Siam after Sukhothai. Some impressive sites in the city are Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Lokaya Sutha (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Bang Pa-In Royal Palace (Summer Palace), and especially Ayutthaya Historical Park. This park is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it contains 67 captivating temples and ruins.

7. Hua Hin

Hua Hin and Ban Krut on the upper side of the Gulf of Thailand are the driest beach towns in Thailand in July and August. Hua Hin experiences shorter rains compared to other parts of the country. This is a resort town which is suitable for a weekend getaway from Bangkok. Do not forget to climb to the top of the Khao Takiab Mountain to see the panoramic view of Hua Hin Beach and the whole city. There are two beautiful theme shopping and attraction villages in this town, which are Venezia and Santorini Park.

8. Koh Samui

Similar to the Upper Gulf Coast, the Lower Gulf Coast containing Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao is drier that the West Coast like Phuket and Koh Lanta, where you should avoid during rainy season in Thailand. Long white beaches with swaying coconut trees have become an iconic image of Koh Samui. Used to be a fishing village back in the 1800s, nowadays this ‘coconut island’ has become a popular tourist destination in Thailand. Compared to Phuket, it is a more quiet and tranquil island. Koh Samui is excellent for snorkeling, diving and surfing, especially in Chaweng Beach.

9. Koh Tao

Koh Tao, which means “Turtle Island”, is a heaven for diver since there is hardly any strong current here. On the way to the island, you probably come across Koh Nang Yuan, a group of three gorgeous islands. One of the most interesting things to do in Koh Nang Yuan is coming to the Japanese Gardens to observe the islands from an incredible height. The most popular place in Koh Tao is Sairee Beach, which is surrounded by budget resorts and restaurants. Stretching to 1.85 kilometers in length, Sairee Beach is where you can admire mesmerizing sunrises and sunsets.

10. Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is the most renowned archipelago in Krabi. This place consists of two main islands: Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh. The Hollywood blockbuster, The Movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed here in 2000. Diving the coral reefs and kayaking are main activities adventurous tourists choose when visiting this place. Powdery sand, mighty mountains, turquoise beaches and diverse marine life – Koh Phi Phi has everything you need for a perfect beach vacation, whether you travel with your family, your beloved one or you are a solo traveler.