Thailand in October: Weather, Tips & Surfing

October comes at the forefront of the cool, dry season – generally regarded as the best time to visit Thailand. Although this season officially only begins in November, it makes itself known in October with temperatures and humidity falling to more comfortable levels as the month progresses. Amounts of rainfall across the country also drop substantially starting from the second half of the month.

Daytime temperatures across the country range from 29 to 31°C during this month. In Bangkok, for instance, the mercury can soar to 33°C, while the low stays at 25°C. On average, it rains for 15 days in the capital in October. Chiang Mai in the north, on the other hand, receives almost half the rain of Bangkok during this time of year. The driest part of the country is Udon Thani, which sees just 82 mm of rain in October in an average year.

For a seasonal overview, read our article on the best time to visit Thailand.

Since it is more than possible to visit the heart of Asia at any time of year, why should you choose to visit Thailand in October? Here are just a few of our favorite reasons.

• Low-season pricing: The peak tourist season may just be a couple of weeks away, but until you pass the threshold of November 1, there are still some great flight and accommodation bargains to be struck.
• Fewer crowds: Because of October’s unfair reputation as falling in the wet season, most travelers stay clear of the country, leaving museums, beaches, and cultural attractions largely free of crowds. Since there are fewer crowds, take a looks at our beach tours in Thailand.
• Surfing: Thailand’s west coast, on the Andaman Sea, has the best conditions for surfing from April until October. You have still got time to grab a wetsuit and hit the waves here during your trip to the country this month before moving on to the east coast, where the surfing season lasts from October to December.
• Hiking: Cooler temperatures of October make it the first month since summer when it is possible to contemplate hiking. The best walks can be had on trails linking the small hillside villages of the country’s north. If you’re interested, you may want to check out our hiking tours in Thailand.
• Whale-watching and dolphin-spotting: Traveling to Thailand in October means getting a chance to see Bryde’s whales off the coast of Bangkok. This is also when the river dolphins of the city’s Chao Phraya River are most often spotted.

The change in weather between the start and the end of October means that with a little careful planning you can explore all of Thailand in October rather than be limited to one coast or the other. Discover the hill station of Chiang Mai, located in the north of the country, where temperatures tend to be at their lowest. Walk or cycle forest paths in search of elephants before drifting down to the dream-like beaches of Phuket.

Head out to islands to snorkel among reefs or take the opportunity to spot whales. Spend a few days in Bangkok, which is well worth visiting for its markets and ever-expanding food scene besides its incredible heritage and architecture. October also usually sees the nine-day-long celebration of the Kin Jay Vegetarian Festival, a cleansing ceremony that sees many restaurants put up yellow flags to show they are only serving vegan cuisine. For more information, read out our article on how many days to spend in Thailand.

Pleasant weather conditions in most parts combined with the country’s multitude of charms ensure that all types of travelers, from history buffs to beach bums, get their fill during a trip to Thailand in October. Slowly and steadily, visitors are starting to discover the benefits of heading to the country during this month.

If you are unsure how to start planning your own perfect trip, contact our local travel experts who will rustle up a custom-made itinerary to Thailand in no time! Alternatively, check out our brilliant selection of Thailand tours in October!