Practical guide
Hot, dry beaches at easing prices, and the month to skip the north.
For the beaches, yes. March is the last fully dry month on both coasts, the sea is calm and warm, and high-season prices start to ease. It's hot, though, and getting hotter, with Bangkok and the northeast in the mid-30s by day. The month to avoid is the north. March is the peak of the burning season, when smoke from crop and forest fires makes Chiang Mai's air unhealthy on many days, so I'd keep a March trip to the islands, Bangkok and the coast.
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 | 35°C | 26°C | 51 mm | 3 | – |
| Chiang Mai | 35°C | 20°C | 20 mm | 2 | – |
| Phuket | 34°C | 26°C | 81 mm | 6 | 29°C |
| Koh Samui | 30°C | 25°C | 116 mm | 5 | 29°C |
| Pattaya | 32°C | 26°C | 47 mm | 3 | 29°C |
| Hua Hin | 32°C | 25°C | 50 mm | 2 | – |
| Koh Chang | 33°C | 24°C | 140 mm | 10 | 29°C |
| Isan | 35°C | 23°C | 38 mm | 3 | – |
Central plains and the capital
Highs of 35°C and lows of 26°C, 51 mm of rain on about 3 days, 7.6 hours of sun a day.
The hot season begins. Mornings and evenings are fine for sightseeing, and middays are for museums, malls and a long lunch in air-conditioning.
The north: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai
Highs of 35°C and lows of 20°C, 20 mm of rain on about 2 days, 8.6 hours of sun a day.
Dry and hot, and the peak of the burning season. Smoke haze often hides the mountains and the air can be unhealthy for days at a time. Skip the north this month if you can.
Andaman coast: Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Khao Lak
Highs of 34°C and lows of 26°C, 81 mm of rain on about 6 days, sea at 29°C.
The hottest month by average high on the Andaman coast, and still dry with calm seas. A good month for the Similan Islands and boat days.
Gulf islands: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao
Highs of 30°C and lows of 25°C, 116 mm of rain on about 5 days, sea at 29°C.
Dry and calm on the Gulf islands, with a few more showers than February.
Upper Gulf: Pattaya, Koh Samet, Rayong
Highs of 32°C and lows of 26°C, 47 mm of rain on about 3 days, sea at 29°C.
Dry and warming, with calm water for Koh Larn and Koh Samet.
Western Gulf: Hua Hin, Cha-am, Pranburi
Highs of 32°C and lows of 25°C, 50 mm of rain on about 2 days, 8 hours of sun a day.
Dry and sunny, with a sea breeze that takes the edge off the heat.
Eastern seaboard: Koh Chang, Koh Kood, Koh Mak
Highs of 33°C and lows of 24°C, 140 mm of rain on about 10 days, sea at 29°C.
The rains start to return to the Trat coast, with more rain days than in February, though most of the month is still good.
Northeast: Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Korat, Buriram, Ubon
Highs of 35°C and lows of 23°C, 38 mm of rain on about 3 days, 7.9 hours of sun a day.
Hot and dry, with the heat building toward April. Outdoor sites like Phanom Rung are best visited early in the day.
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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Go to the sea. Both coasts are dry and calm, and the water is warm. Bangkok works if you plan around the midday heat. The north is the one to leave for another time.
Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi and Koh Lanta are still in season, with prices lower than in January and February. The Similan Islands are open until mid-May.
Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are dry and calm through April, and this is their good stretch while the Andaman side starts to heat up.
The burning season runs from about mid-February to April and peaks in March. The haze is a health issue as well as a view issue, so anyone with asthma or a heart condition should plan around it.
March is quiet for festivals between Chinese New Year and Songkran. The Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan falls on 22 March 2027.
High season tails off through March, and beach prices ease from the January and February peak. It's a good month for a beach week at better value, and you rarely need to book far ahead outside the Songkran week in April.
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. March heat catches people out on long sightseeing days.
Linen and cotton, plus long, light layers for temples.
If Chiang Mai is unavoidable, a well-fitting mask helps on smoky days.
Rehydration sachets from any 7-Eleven help on hot days.
Common questions about thailand in march.
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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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