Is March a good time to visit Thailand?

March is an uneven month across Thailand. Two regions are in good to excellent shape, one is not.

The Andaman coast

Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, and Phi Phi are still in dry season in March. Rain is slightly higher than January or February, around 50-70mm, but spread across only a handful of days and usually evening showers rather than all-day rain. Sea conditions are calm, the Similan Islands are open until mid-May, and beaches are fully functional.

March is actually one of the last months to hit Phuket before prices drop toward low season. The weather is still good, the crowds have thinned slightly from February, and accommodation rates are 10-20% below the January peak. If you're flexible about visiting in high season but don't need to be there in January specifically, March is a sensible choice.

The Gulf coast

The Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) are in good shape in March. This is one of the better months for Koh Tao diving, with visibility building toward its April-May peak. Samui is dry with minimal rain. March through August is the Gulf's strong stretch.

Bangkok

March is hot. Daily highs are 33-36°C and the humidity is building toward the wet season. The city is dry, the BTS and MRT work, and temple visits are possible, but midday heat is the main obstacle. Plan outdoor sightseeing in the morning before 11am, and use air-conditioned transit and restaurants through the afternoon. Thai people also avoid being outdoors from noon to 3pm in March.

Chiang Mai and the north

This is where March falls apart. The burning season peaks in March and April. Agricultural burning by farmers clearing rice fields, combined with forest fires in the mountains, creates heavy smoke that sits in the Chiang Mai valley. Air quality index readings of 150-250+ are common, classified as Unhealthy or Very Unhealthy. The mountains disappear. The sky is orange-grey.

It's not dangerous for a short visit by a healthy person, but it is unpleasant, the scenic views that make Chiang Mai worth visiting are gone, and the outdoor activities (trekking, waterfall visits, hill tribe excursions) are all significantly worse. If Chiang Mai is why you're going, go in November, December, January, or February instead.

Prices

March is the start of shoulder season on the Andaman coast. Hotels that were fully booked and expensive in January have better availability and starting to discount. Bangkok and Gulf coast prices follow a similar pattern. March is a good month for finding better Phuket accommodation than you'd get in January at the same budget.

For the full March breakdown, see our Thailand in March guide.