The best time to visit Thailand with kids is from November to April for most regions, when the Andaman side (Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak) has dry and sunny weather. For the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao), the best time is from March to September, when the weather is usually warm and pleasant.
Thailand’s weather differs between regions, so the best time to visit with kids depends on where you plan to go. When planning your route, like in our 2-week Thailand itinerary with kids, it’s important to factor in regional weather patterns.
From November or December until April or May, most of the country enjoys dry, sunny weather. This includes the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak), Central Thailand (Bangkok, Ayutthaya), Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai) and the Eastern islands like Koh Chang and Koh Kood. These months are ideal for sightseeing, beach time and family adventures.
The Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) has a different climate. Here, the dry season runs from March to September, while October to January tends to be wetter.
If you’re visiting during the Northern Hemisphere summer (July and August), the Gulf of Thailand is the best choice for sunshine and calm seas.
Quick Summary: Thailand Weather and Best Months for Families
Best Overall Months
March to April – good weather across most of Thailand.
Andaman Coast
(Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak) – November to April, sunny and dry.
Gulf of Thailand
(Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) – March to September, warm and mostly dry
Northern Thailand
(Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai) – November to April, cool and clear.
Central Thailand
(Bangkok, Ayutthaya) – November to May, hot but dry.
Eastern Thailand
(Koh Chang, Koh Kood) – November to May, calm and sunny.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Coast / Andaman (Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak) | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | 🌤 Fair | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | ✅ Good | ✅ Good |
| Gulf of Thailand / East Coast (Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan) | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | ✅ Dry | ✅ Dry | ✅ Dry | 🌤 Fair | 🌤 Fair | 🌤 Fair | 🌤 Fair | 🌧 Wet | 🌧 Wet | 🌧 Wet |
| North Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai) | ✅ Cool | ✅ Cool | 🌤 Warm | 🌤 Warm | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | ✅ Cool | ✅ Cool |
| Central Thailand (Bangkok, Ayutthaya) | ✅ Pleasant | ✅ Pleasant | 🌤 Hot | 🌤 Hot | 🌤 Hot | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | ✅ Pleasant | ✅ Pleasant |
| East Thailand / Islands (Koh Chang, Koh Kood) | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | 🌤 Fair | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | 🌧 Rainy | ✅ Good | ✅ Good |
We usually travel to Thailand in the dry season with kids, that’s just easier. During the rainy months, there’s always a chance of several wet days in a row, and little ones don’t always love being stuck inside. Even when it doesn’t rain, it can stay cloudy for days, and everything looks a bit less tropical.
Some families don’t mind that at all. You might even get lucky and enjoy two sunny weeks in the middle of the rainy season. But we once spent two weeks on Koh Tao and Koh Samui in the European summer and honestly… at most, we had 3 days without rain. Buckets of rain, puddles everywhere, and us running between cafés on flip-flops
In the end, anything can happen with the weather, but we prefer to give ourselves the best shot at sunshine.
👉 Planning your Thailand trip? Check out our full guide: Thailand with Kids: Complete Travel Guide
And if you’re already counting down the days, don’t miss our fun free Thailand countdown calendar for kids!
The best time to visit Thailand with kids is generally between November and April, when most regions enjoy dry and sunny weather. Families visiting during July and August should head to the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan), where conditions are often better, though occasional rain showers are still possible.
❤️ Crew Moment: During our own trip with our 1 and 3-year-olds, we traveled in the official dry season. Still, we had rain on about half of the days. But honestly, it wasn’t a problem. We often sat under a beach umbrella while the kids happily played in the warm rain. In Thailand, even the so-called bad weather can be fun!
Best Time to Visit the Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi & Khao Lak) with Kids
The Andaman Coast is home to popular family spots like Phuket, Ao Nang, and Khao Lak, all perfect for a beach holiday with kids.
The best weather is from December to April, when the sea is calm and skies are clear. May can still be pleasant with short tropical showers. From June to November, the monsoon brings rough seas and fewer island-hopping options.
✅ Best months: December – April
🌤 Okay: May
🌧 Rainy: June – November
From our experience in Ao Nang with kids, even in the dry season you can have a mix of sunny and rainy days, but it’s still a great time to go. If you’re visiting Khao Lak with kids, this period also offers calm waters, perfect for swimming and family snorkelling trips. Thinking about visiting Phuket? Check out our full guide: Phuket with kids.
Best Time to Visit the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Tao & Koh Phangan) with Kids
If you’re traveling during the European summer holidays (July and August), the Gulf of Thailand is your best choice.
The dry season runs from February to May, with calm seas and perfect conditions for snorkeling and beach time. From June to September, showers can happen but rarely ruin your day. October to January is the wettest period with heavy rainfall that can limit outdoor fun for kids.
✅ Best months: February – May
🌤 Okay: June – September
🌧 Rainy: October – January
During our own August visit to Koh Tao, we had just two sunny days in two weeks. It was a bit of a letdown, but that’s part of traveling. Sometimes you just have to roll with it.
Best Time to Visit Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai) with Kids
Northern Thailand is perfect for families who love culture, temples, and nature.
The cool season from November to February is the most comfortable for exploring markets, temples, and countryside adventures. March and April are hotter but still fine for short trips. From May to October, the monsoon brings heavy rain and humidity, which can make outdoor activities more difficult with small kids.
✅ Best months: November – February
🌤 Okay: March – April
🌧 Rainy: May – October
Best Time to Visit Central Thailand (Bangkok & Ayutthaya) with Kids
The best weather in Bangkok and Ayutthaya is from November to February. It’s warm, dry, and perfect for sightseeing with kids.
March to May is hotter but still manageable if you plan your days wisely. June to October brings tropical downpours, but many attractions like museums, aquariums, and malls are indoors, so you can still have a great time as a family.
✅ Best months: November – February
🌤 Okay: March – April
🌧 Rainy: May – October
🌴 Best Time to Visit Eastern Thailand (Koh Chang & Koh Kood) with Kids
Eastern Thailand is ideal for families who prefer quiet beaches and nature.
The dry season from December to April is the best time to visit, with calm seas, warm temperatures, and easy ferry rides. May may bring some light showers, while the monsoon season (June to November) can cause rough sea conditions and occasional ferry cancellations.
✅ Best months: December – April
🌤 Okay: May
🌧 Rainy: June – November
🌦️ Summary: Best Time to Visit Thailand with Kids
In general, December to April is the most reliable period for sunshine across most of Thailand, especially along the Andaman Coast and the Eastern Islands.
If you’re visiting in July or August, choose the Gulf of Thailand for the best chance of dry beach days.
Even when it rains, Thailand stays warm and friendly, and sometimes those little rain moments become the kids’ favourite memories of all.
If you can, try to avoid the rainy season. If not, traveling is still absolutely possible, just be ready for cloudy skies and the occasional downpour. Your kids will still have fun, no matter what the weather looks like.
Want to learn more about family travel in Thailand? Check out:
- Thailand with Kids
- Khao Lak with Kids
- Ao Nang & Krabi with Kids
- Top things to do in Phuket with Kids
- Where to stay in Phuket with Kids
Other Southeast Asia adventures:
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Enjoy your sunny Thailand adventure with your family! 🌦️
The Little Passport Crew
The best months to visit Thailand with children are usually from November to April, when most regions are dry, sunny, and easy to explore.
Yes, it can still be a great experience if you’re flexible. Some areas like Koh Samui and Koh Phangan have a different weather pattern, meaning they’re sunny even when the west coast gets rain.
The Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak) is best from November to April, while the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan) is best from March to September: perfect for beach days with kids.
It can be hot, especially from March to May, but you can plan around it. Go sightseeing early in the morning, stay hydrated, and book family-friendly hotels with pools or shade.
Most families prefer to avoid September and October, when heavy rain can make beaches rough and travel plans unpredictable.
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