December · Thailand weather
Thailand in December: Weather, What to Expect & Where to Go
December is the most popular month of the year. The weather is reliably excellent — cool in the north, comfortable in Bangkok, dry on the Andaman. The Gulf islands are still wet early in the month but recovering. Expect peak prices, packed hotels, and a strong Christmas/NYE surge.
Best region
North
Chiang Mai is at its best — cool, dry, clear. The mountains around Pai and Mae Hong Son are stunning.
Avoid
Gulf
Samui is still in its wet pattern early in the month, drying out toward NYE.
Good for
Cool-season highlights, NYE in Bangkok, family trips
December weather, region by region
Average temperatures and rainfall across Thailand's five climate regions in December. Tap the climate map on the homepage for an interactive month-by-month view.
| Region | Avg temp | Rainfall | Visit rating |
|---|---|---|---|
North Chiang Mai | 22°C | 15mm | Great |
Northeast Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) | 24°C | 5mm | Great |
Central Bangkok | 27°C | 10mm | Great |
Andaman Phuket | 28°C | 70mm | Great |
Gulf Koh Samui | 27°C | 190mm | Good |
City spotlights
One city per region — what December actually feels like on the ground, and what to do or skip.
North
Chiang Mai
Cool mornings, warm afternoons, almost no rain. Bring layers for sunrise — early-morning temperatures can dip into single digits in the hills around Pai.
Year-round climate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Northeast
Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)
Cool, dry, and beautiful. The Korat plateau is at its photogenic best — Khao Yai's grasslands turn gold and Phimai sees morning mist. Bring a real jacket — nights can hit single digits.
Year-round climate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Central
Bangkok
Peak Bangkok weather. NYE on the Chao Phraya is one of the best fireworks displays in the region — book river-view dinners weeks ahead.
Year-round climate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Andaman
Phuket
Peak season in full swing. Beaches are packed, prices are at their highest, but the weather is reliable.
Year-round climate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Gulf
Koh Samui
Drying out through the month. Early December still risky; late December and NYE are usually fine.
Year-round climate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Events & festivals in December
Father's Day (5 December)
King Bhumibol's birthday. Bangkok lights up around Sanam Luang and the Grand Palace.
Christmas / New Year surge
Hotel rates can triple on the islands. Book months ahead, or wait until mid-January for the post-NYE lull.
Is December a good time to visit Thailand?
Yes — December is one of the best months, full stop. The only caveats are crowds, peak pricing, and lingering rain on the Gulf islands in the first half of the month.
← Previous month
Thailand in November
Yi Peng lanterns in Chiang Mai, Andaman beaches, Bangkok in full swing
Next month →
Thailand in January
Cool mornings in Chiang Mai, beach weather on the Andaman side
All months
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