Practical guide
The best all-round month, with every coast dry or drying and the coolest nights of the year up north.
January is Thailand's best all-round month. The Andaman coast is dry and calm, the Gulf islands have come out of their rainy season, Bangkok is warm rather than hot, and Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Koh Chang and the northeast have the coolest nights of the year. It's still high season, so prices stay near their peak, but the crowds thin once the New Year holiday is over. If you can choose any month for a first trip that covers Bangkok, the north and the islands, choose this one.
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 | 33°C | 23°C | 24 mm | 2 | – |
| Chiang Mai | 30°C | 16°C | 11 mm | 1 | – |
| Phuket | 33°C | 25°C | 50 mm | 4 | 28°C |
| Koh Samui | 29°C | 24°C | 127 mm | 8 | 28°C |
| Pattaya | 31°C | 24°C | 16 mm | 2 | 28°C |
| Hua Hin | 30°C | 23°C | 25 mm | 1 | – |
| Koh Chang | 32°C | 22°C | 51 mm | 4 | 28°C |
| Isan | 31°C | 18°C | 6 mm | 1 | – |
Central plains and the capital
Highs of 33°C and lows of 23°C, 24 mm of rain on about 2 days, 7 hours of sun a day.
Dry, sunny and as comfortable as the capital gets. Mornings are fresh enough for a long Old City walk, and the hot season doesn't start until March.
The north: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai
Highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C, 11 mm of rain on about 1 day, 8.3 hours of sun a day.
The coldest nights of the year in the north, with clear, dry days. You'll want a jacket for early starts and for anywhere in the mountains. The burning-season haze usually doesn't arrive until mid-February.
Andaman coast: Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Khao Lak
Highs of 33°C and lows of 25°C, 50 mm of rain on about 4 days, sea at 28°C.
Peak season on the Andaman coast, with calm water and long sunny days. Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Khao Lak are the same, and the Similan Islands are open.
Gulf islands: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao
Highs of 29°C and lows of 24°C, 127 mm of rain on about 8 days, sea at 28°C.
The Gulf islands are out of their rainy season but still drying, so a few showers are normal. It's a big step up from December, and Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are a fair choice for the whole month.
Upper Gulf: Pattaya, Koh Samet, Rayong
Highs of 31°C and lows of 24°C, 16 mm of rain on about 2 days, sea at 28°C.
Dry and a touch cooler than the south. Calm seas for the boat to Koh Larn, and Koh Samet is at its best.
Western Gulf: Hua Hin, Cha-am, Pranburi
Highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C, 25 mm of rain on about 1 day, 6.9 hours of sun a day.
Dry, breezy and the coolest nights of the year on this stretch of coast. A gentle beach week within easy reach of Bangkok.
Eastern seaboard: Koh Chang, Koh Kood, Koh Mak
Highs of 32°C and lows of 22°C, 51 mm of rain on about 4 days, sea at 28°C.
Still in its dry season after December, with the coolest nights of the year. Koh Kood and Koh Mak are in season too.
Northeast: Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Korat, Buriram, Ubon
Highs of 31°C and lows of 18°C, 6 mm of rain on about 1 day, 7.7 hours of sun a day.
Dry, with cold mornings across the northeast. A good month for the Khmer temples at Phanom Rung and for slow travel along the Mekong.
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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Everywhere is in play, which makes January the month to combine Bangkok, a few days in the north and a week on either coast. The only real decision is which coast, and in January it comes down to taste rather than weather.
The Andaman side (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta) is the driest and has the limestone scenery and the Similan Islands. The Gulf side (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) is drying out and a little quieter.
The north is at its coolest and clearest, and January sits before the burning season that clouds the air from mid-February to April. If the north is on your list and you have the choice, go now rather than in March.
Bangkok is comfortable for walking, and day trips to Ayutthaya, the Maeklong railway market or Kanchanaburi are easy in the dry heat.
January is quieter for festivals than November or April, and that's part of its appeal.
A public holiday after the countdown, and the end of the year's most expensive two weeks.
Held on the second Saturday of January. It isn't a day off, but Thai families pack zoos, museums and government sites that open for children's events, so expect busy attractions in Bangkok.
The umbrella-making village in San Kamphaeng, just east of Chiang Mai, holds its craft festival with painted umbrellas along the street and a parade. The exact days are set locally each year.
Haad Rin on Koh Phangan holds the first party of the year on 22 January. Boats from Samui fill up on the day before and the day after.
The lunar new year moves each year, and in 2027 it falls on 6 February, so it isn't a January event this time. Bangkok's Chinatown is the place to see it.
January is high season, so expect peak-season rates on the islands and in Chiang Mai all month. The first days of the month carry the New Year premium, and once that passes the crowds ease while the weather stays the same.
Book popular beach hotels and Phi Phi a couple of months ahead, and fix ferries and domestic flights early if your dates sit around the 22 January Full Moon Party.
January nights are the coldest of the year in Chiang Mai and the northeast. A fleece or light down jacket is worth the space if you're heading north or up to Doi Inthanon.
Shoulders and knees covered for the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and every working temple.
Dry season sun on the water is strong. Hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen for boat days.
Optional. Showers are still possible on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao early in the month.
Common questions about thailand in january.
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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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