Practical guide
The driest month on most coasts, Chinese New Year in Chinatown, and the north's last clear weeks.
Yes. February is the driest month of the year on Phuket, Koh Samui and Hua Hin, both coasts are calm, and Bangkok is warm and dry. It keeps January's weather with slightly thinner crowds. The one thing to watch is the north. Chiang Mai is dry and sunny, but the burning season usually starts in mid-February, when smoke from crop and forest fires hazes the air, so put the north at the start of a February trip rather than the end. Chinese New Year (6 February in 2027) is the month's big event.
Averages for eight weather stations, one for each part of the country. Tap a region in the table to jump to it, or switch to °F and inches.
| Region | High | Low | Rain | Rain days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | 34°C | 25°C | 21 mm | 2 | – |
| Chiang Mai | 33°C | 17°C | 10 mm | 1 | – |
| Phuket | 34°C | 25°C | 24 mm | 2 | 29°C |
| Koh Samui | 29°C | 25°C | 64 mm | 4 | 28°C |
| Pattaya | 31°C | 25°C | 20 mm | 2 | 28°C |
| Hua Hin | 31°C | 24°C | 14 mm | 1 | – |
| Koh Chang | 32°C | 23°C | 82 mm | 6 | 29°C |
| Isan | 33°C | 20°C | 17 mm | 2 | – |
Central plains and the capital
Highs of 34°C and lows of 25°C, 21 mm of rain on about 2 days, 7.7 hours of sun a day.
Dry and sunny, a little hotter than January. Chinese New Year turns Yaowarat Road in Chinatown into the busiest street in the city for a few days.
The north: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai
Highs of 33°C and lows of 17°C, 10 mm of rain on about 1 day, 9 hours of sun a day.
The driest month of the year and the sunniest, with cool nights. Late in the month the burning season usually begins and the haze builds, so the first half is the better bet. The Flower Festival fills the first weekend.
Andaman coast: Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Khao Lak
Highs of 34°C and lows of 25°C, 24 mm of rain on about 2 days, sea at 29°C.
The driest month of the year on the Andaman coast, with calm, clear water. It's the best month for the Similan Islands, Phi Phi and island-hopping from Krabi.
Gulf islands: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao
Highs of 29°C and lows of 25°C, 64 mm of rain on about 4 days, sea at 28°C.
The driest month on the Gulf islands, now well clear of the rains. Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are at their best through April.
Upper Gulf: Pattaya, Koh Samet, Rayong
Highs of 31°C and lows of 25°C, 20 mm of rain on about 2 days, sea at 28°C.
Dry and sunny with calm water. Koh Samet and Koh Larn are easy beach trips from Bangkok.
Western Gulf: Hua Hin, Cha-am, Pranburi
Highs of 31°C and lows of 24°C, 14 mm of rain on about 1 day, 8.1 hours of sun a day.
Hua Hin's sunniest stretch and one of its driest months. A relaxed beach week near Bangkok.
Eastern seaboard: Koh Chang, Koh Kood, Koh Mak
Highs of 32°C and lows of 23°C, 82 mm of rain on about 6 days, sea at 29°C.
Still dry season, though a little wetter than December and January. The islands of the Trat archipelago stay in season.
Northeast: Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Korat, Buriram, Ubon
Highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C, 17 mm of rain on about 2 days, 8.5 hours of sun a day.
Dry and sunny, with nights still cool. The northeast warms quickly from March.
Source WMO Climatological Standard Normals 1991–2020 (Thai Meteorological Department stations). Averages for 1991–2020, and rain days count days with at least 1 mm. Sea temperatures: Climates to Travel monthly sea-surface averages. Koh Chang uses the Trat station on the facing mainland and Isan uses Khon Kaen.
Arriving in Phuket
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Both coasts are excellent, so February is a month to choose a beach by style. The Andaman side (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta) has the limestone scenery and the Similan Islands, and the Gulf side (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) is at its driest and calmest.
The north is clear and dry until the burning season starts, which is usually mid-February. Go in the first half of the month, catch the Flower Festival, and leave the beaches for the second half.
Chinatown's lanterns, lion dances and street food on Yaowarat Road make Bangkok the best place in Thailand to see the lunar new year.
February has two of the year's best-loved festivals and one dry day.
Flower-covered floats parade from Nawarat Bridge through Tha Phae Gate to Nong Buak Haad Park, where the displays stay up for the weekend. In 2027 it runs 5–7 February.
The lunar new year moves each year. Bangkok's Chinatown has the biggest celebration, with Phuket Old Town close behind. Expect busy hotels and flights, since visitors from China, Hong Kong and Singapore travel that week.
A Buddhist holy day and public holiday, with candlelit processions around temples in the evening. Shops, convenience stores and ordinary restaurants stop selling alcohol for the day, though hotels and some licensed venues are exempt.
Moved a day to avoid Makha Bucha. Haad Rin on Koh Phangan, in the Gulf islands' driest month.
February is still high season and priced like it, with the week of Chinese New Year the busiest. Outside that week the crowds are thinner than in January, and late February is a good time to find space on the islands.
The driest, sunniest month on the beaches. Hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.
Northern nights are still cool in early February.
Shoulders and knees covered, especially on Makha Bucha, when temples are busy.
Once the burning season starts, a well-fitting mask makes Chiang Mai's haze easier, especially for anyone with asthma.
Common questions about thailand in february.
Other months, and the whole year at a glance
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Written by
Mac Kiley
I lived in Bangkok for four years and traveled the country from there. The guides are my own opinions, written the way I'd explain them to a friend planning a trip.
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