Thailand - weather & travel conditions in January

Weather

Weather in Thailand in January is very good making it popular time to travel in the country. From the northern mountain down to the south coast, the weather is moderate and there are very little or no rain at all.

In Central Thailand including Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Ayutthaya and surroundings the weather is relatively mild with the temperatures range between 30-32oC during day time and even be slightly cool when nights fall. There are very little or no rain.

Northern Thailand around Mea Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Nan offers beautiful climate this time. Condition is dry with temperature is cool at 28oC during day times and can be slightly cold when nights fall, especially in the far north. Sukhothai and Phitsanulok, due to the lower altitude, share almost the same weather condition with the Central Thailand.

The weather in Northeastern Thailand from Nong Khai, Udon Thani down to Ubon Ratchathani is good with almost no rain and temperatures around 29oC.

Eastern Thailand including Pattaya, Ko samet, Ko Chang, Ko Kood… has temperatures around the same as Bangkok and Central Thailand, though there will be a little more rain.

Conditions is good in the South of Thailand on the both coasts with beautiful sea breeze and temperatures around 30oC anyway, the east coast around Ko Samui is expected with some odd rain.

Events

New Year’s Day

Thailand has its traditional festival for their new year in April, but January 1 has also become a time to celebrate. Activities include visiting to temples and giving alms, music performances and fire works in cities in public places.

How to do and what to expect if travel in Thailand in January

January is amongst good months to travel to Thailand. The favorable weather condition allows a big itinerary to be made. If you like trekking then far north and northeast are good choices. Overland biking, rafting, kayaking and so on all are suitable this time. Sun, sea, sand lovers will have plenty of choices on different coasts of Thailand.

If you travel to the north and northeast of Thailand during this time then light jacket is recommended for night weather, especially on the higher altitude areas.

This is a great time to make a big travel loop around Thailand and Indochina. By road you can start from Bangkok, traveling round in south, east and central of Thailand before heading to the north then cross the border to Laos then Vietnam. Or on the other way, you first visit north of Thailand then get down to Bangkok, heading further east to Cambodia then down to the south of Vietnam.