March · Thailand weather
Thailand in March: Weather, What to Expect & Where to Go
March is when Thailand's hot season kicks in — afternoons in Bangkok start to bite, the northeast bakes, and burning-season haze hits its worst in the mountains. The Andaman and Gulf coasts are the saving grace.
Best region
Andaman
Phuket and Krabi still benefit from the tail of the dry season — hot, but consistently sunny.
Avoid
North
AQI peaks in March across the north. Visibility, lungs, and mountain views all suffer.
AQI peak (north + northeast)
March is the worst air-quality month of the year across Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai, and parts of Isaan. Consider postponing northern travel until June.
March weather, region by region
Average temperatures and rainfall across Thailand's five climate regions in March. Tap the climate map on the homepage for an interactive month-by-month view.
| Region | Avg temp | Rainfall | Visit rating |
|---|---|---|---|
North Chiang Mai | 28°C | 35mm | AQI watch |
Northeast Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) | 29°C | 40mm | AQI watch |
Central Bangkok | 30°C | 45mm | Great |
Andaman Phuket | 29°C | 70mm | Great |
Gulf Koh Samui | 29°C | 60mm | Great |
City spotlights
One city per region — what March actually feels like on the ground, and what to do or skip.
North
Chiang Mai
Burning-season haze is at its worst. AQI regularly hits hazardous levels, mountains disappear from view, and even short visits can be unpleasant.
Year-round climate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Northeast
Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)
Hot, dry, and dusty, with agricultural burning haze on some weeks. Khao Yai stays a few degrees cooler than the plains — worth the day trip from Korat.
Year-round climate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Central
Bangkok
Hot in the afternoons (30°C+), but mornings and evenings are still manageable. Skip outdoor markets at midday — stick to malls, food halls, and rooftops.
Year-round climate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Andaman
Phuket
Last great month before the southwest monsoon. Sea is calm, days are bright, prices are still high but coming down by month-end.
Year-round climate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Gulf
Koh Samui
Now in its sweet spot. Dry, hot, and bright — Samui, Phangan, and Tao are all reliable for sun.
Year-round climate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Events & festivals in March
Pattaya Music Festival
Free outdoor music on Pattaya beach, usually mid-March. A weekend-long excuse to head to the eastern seaboard.
Is March a good time to visit Thailand?
March is mixed. If you're heading to the islands, it's still a great month. If your plan involves Chiang Mai or the north, push the trip to June or later — air quality is genuinely bad enough to ruin a holiday.
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Thailand in February
Bangkok city breaks, Andaman island-hopping
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Thailand in April
Songkran nationwide, Gulf islands at their best
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