Weather in Thailand in April

Is April a good time to visit Thailand?

Unless you are a confirmed heat freak, avoid Thailand in April. This is the hottest month of the year across the country, and the weather is decidedly uncomfortable, especially for unacclimatised visitors. The intense heat and humidity in Thailand as the monsoon approaches is unrelenting, so if you do visit Thailand in April make sure your accommodation is air-conditioned. The sea is as warm as a bath, so there is little chance of cooling off even when taking the plunge.

The Gulf coast islands like Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan are the best places to holiday in Thailand in April, with relatively low rainfall and the surrounding sea bringing a modicum of relief from the heat.


Climate in Thailand in April

Blistering heat is the order of the day in Thailand in April, with the average maximum temperature being charted at 35°C (95°F), although most days in the central and north-eastern areas of the country the mercury hovers at 40°C (104°F). There is little relief after dark, and everyone tends to welcome the increasingly frequent drenching rain-showers which fall usually in the late afternoon, but the average rainfall for Thailand in March is just 89mm, so don’t expect it to rain every day.

What’s on in Thailand in April

April is the fun month for Thailand – both locals and intrepid tourists brave the heat and take to the streets between 13th and 15th April across the country for the traditional Buddhist New Year festival of Songkran. Unsurprisingly, given the hot weather, the celebrations take the form of crowds water-bombing each other – the parties continuing day and night.

What to pack for a holiday in Thailand in April

Packing for Thailand in April is easy – just take as little as possible, and make sure you take the thinnest of cotton garments. Dress in Thailand for tourists is casual, and T-shirts and shorts are the mainstay, besides your bathing suit. You will need a good pair of sandals, with a sole thick enough to save your feet from the scorching sand or pavement, for walking in. Don’t forget the sunscreen! It will be too hot for a raincoat, even if you do get caught in a deluge, so if you are worried about getting wet opt for an umbrella – otherwise just enjoy the drenching.