Best Time to Visit Thailand from Malaysia: What to do, weather, visas, and more

Stunning white beaches, amazing food, friendly people and vibrant cities - Thailand has it all. In Thailand the temperature remains relatively stable year round, but the monsoon seasons do see heavy rains which can be disruptive if you’ve planned a beach break.

Wondering when is the best time to visit Thailand from Malaysia? This guide walks through the things to do in Thailand month by month, looking at weather, festivals, flight prices and more, to help you choose the right time for your trip. We’ll also share more about the Wise card, a handy way to spend internationally.

Table of contents
When is the best time to visit Thailand What to do in Thailand Planning a trip to Thailand Visiting Thailand soon? Prepare Thailandn Baht (THB) for your holiday with Wise

When is the best time to visit Thailand from Malaysia

The best time for Malaysians to visit Thailand is during the cool and dry season from November to February. This period offers fantastic weather, and for those on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, it's a perfect escape from the local monsoon season to enjoy Thailand’s sunny skies.

In Thailand, places to visit include highland areas, islands, cities and mainland coastal resorts. This sheer variety means that it’s a year round destination, and when the best time to travel to Thailand is solely depends on your preferences. There are distinct wet and dry seasons, but even in the peak of the monsoon you can find great places to go if you’re happy with slightly mixed weather.

Let’s work through some ideas by season, to help you work out the best month to visit Thailand for your perfect trip.

Mild and dry: November to February

November to February is the best time to visit much of Thailand from the perspective of weather - but the relatively mild temperatures and sunny days can also bring crowds and push up the prices in many areas. Book accommodation well in advance if you’re planning on visiting during this period, especially around major holidays.

November: November is the start of the peak season, but early in the month resorts can still be reasonably quiet. This is an ideal time to visit beach areas like Krabi, Phuket and Railay on the west coast. The rains can linger on Koh Samui, making this an area to avoid during November if you can. If you’re thinking of a trip to Thailand for trekking or nature activities, this is a good opportunity to go to Khao Sok National Park, with decent conditions for outdoor activities and lush greenery after the wet season.

December: Glorious weather continues, with beach and island resorts proving popular with visitors from all over the world. Many travellers choose Thailand for their year-end break, which can mean the festive season is particularly busy - make sure you’ve secured all your accommodation bookings well in advance. Flight prices from Malaysia can peak around this period due to school holidays.

January: Wherever you choose to celebrate the New Year in Thailand, the chances are that you’ll have excellent weather and a warm welcome. Depending on how the dates fall, you may also get to experience the Lunar New Year in January, when many areas in Thailand host events, parades and markets. Look out for large celebrations in Bangkok, and also in areas like Phuket Old Town.

February: In some areas the temperatures are starting to rise towards the end of February, but coastal breezes can help keep visitors cool. It’s also a great time to visit Chiang Mai in the highlands, where there’s a 3 day flower festival celebrating the local blooms. While dates vary, this usually takes place starting on the first Friday of the month, and can include decorations, parades and street parties.

Hot and muggy: March to May

The temperatures peak in many areas of the country during these months, but this period is considered to be shoulder season, and still a great time to visit Thailand. You’ll be able to find cheaper deals and quieter beaches, and the rain has not yet arrived in most areas.

March: Temperatures are on the rise throughout Thailand, but southern islands like Koh Samui are a good choice during March for no rain and relatively lower visitor numbers. Beat the heat by getting involved in indoor activities such as cooking classes - or consider heading up to one of the highland areas which can be cooler.

April: The middle of April is Songkran - Thai New Year - which is marked by parades, parties, rituals and huge water fights pretty much throughout the country. The official festival dates are usually 13th - 15th April, but it’s pretty common to find the party lasting far longer in some areas. Songkran is a unique experience, but you might experience some travel disruptions - street parties may also go on long into the night, which can make it tricky to get your beauty sleep.

May: May is firmly shoulder season, which means that flight prices are falling and accommodation in many areas is easier to secure. The good news is that the rains have yet to arrive in most areas - for the best chance of getting great weather, pick one of the Gulf Islands like Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao, which have reliable sunshine and little chance of rain at this point in the year.

Wet season: June to October

The rainy season in Thailand is fairly long, but there are still destinations which are a good choice for trips. You also have the bonus of some of the cheapest flights available year round, and quieter resorts, making it a great option for a quick getaway.

June: June kicks off the rainy season, but the eastern side of Thailand sees little rainfall during this month. You might choose a trip to the Gulf Islands - or if you’re thinking of a combination beach and city creak, Hua Hin on the eastern side of Thailand can be a good choice with a powdery beach and plenty of great options for street food, shopping and experiencing the city buzz.

July: While it's the rainy season, this can be a good time to find travel deals outside of school holiday periods. If you’re concerned about wet weather impacting your plans you can also pick a city destination like Bangkok to allow for a mixture of activities including ways to get out of the rain when needed.

August: There’s still the option of visiting the eastern islands like Koh Samui throughout August, if you’re set on a beach break. Rain is likely, but doesn’t tend to be all day, allowing for some time relaxing on the beach. Or, embrace the rain and head to somewhere with plenty of activities like Chiang Mai. August is the peak of the rainy season in northern destinations like Chiang Mai, but you can spend time visiting temples and taking part in cultural activities when the weather isn’t conducive to being outdoors.

September: Flights from Malaysia to Thailand are still usually very affordable through September. This can mean September is a good month for snagging a bargain, but the rains can mean it’s not the right time to visit if you want to simply relax on the beach.

October: Towards the end of October the rain is slowing, and the prices in many destinations in Thailand are still on the lower end. Various festivals take place, including the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket, which can give an additional reason to pick this month to visit Thailand if you’re interested in experiencing the local culture.

💳 Enjoy great rate and seamless spending all year round in 150+ countries with Wise

🚀 Sign up for a free account

What to do in Thailand for Malaysians

Getting excited about your trip? Let’s take a look at what to do in Thailand to give you a head start on planning your itinerary.

Hit the beach

Thailand is famous for its stunning beaches, including quiet island getaways and bustling party resorts. Most people heading to Thailand from Malaysia will spend at least some time on the beach - and the good flight connectivity within the country also makes it pretty easy to include a few days beachside along with time in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or another contrasting destination.

Eat authentic Thai food

Thai food is widely exported - but eating authentic food can take your experience to a whole new level. From street food tours to high end world class restaurants, there’s plenty to choose from - and most cities and tourist areas also offer great cooking classes so you can recreate your dishes at home.

Get up close to elephants

Thailand has a good choice of natural parks for trekking and outdoor activities, which can allow you great wildlife and bird spotting opportunities. Another common activity is to visit an elephant sanctuary to get hands on with helping to feed and wash the residents. Do your research carefully to pick an ethical provider - Chiang Mai has several great choices.

Head to the city

You’re likely to fly through Bangkok for many Thai trips, making it well worth adding in a few days in this vibrant city. Eating, drinking, shopping and soaking in the atmosphere is a perfect way to acclimatise.

Planning a trip to Thailand from Malaysia

Whether you’re planning to hit the beach in Phuket, hang out with elephants in Chiang Mai, or shop til you drop in Bangkok, you’re in for a great trip to Thailand. Before you head off, there are a few practical things to sort out, to make sure your trip goes well - here are some pointers.

Thailand Visa Requirements for Malaysians

If you have a Malaysian passport, you can enter Thailand for tourism for up to 30 days without a visa¹. If you plan to stay longer, you'll need to apply for a suitable visa in advance through the official e-visa website².

Prior to landing in Thailand you’ll also need to complete the Thai digital arrival card. This can be done up to 3 days before you arrive in Thailand³.

Flights to Thailand from Malaysia

Direct flights to Bangkok and other Thai cities are widely available from Kuala Lumpur (KLIA/KLIA2) and other Malaysian airports. The flight to Bangkok takes just over 2 hours.

Multiple airlines including AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, and Batik Air fly this route, so rest assured that you’ll be able to find the ideal flight that fits your budget and schedule.

Get the most out of your MYR to THB conversions on your holiday with Wise

The Wise account is an easy way to hold and exchange 40+ currencies, including MYR, USD, GBP, and more. All you need to do is create a free account to get started.

With Wise, you can exchange currencies at the mid-market rate each time, with low, transparent conversion fees from 0.77% and absolutely no markups. Plus, you can order a linked Wise card for convenient spending without any foreign transaction fees, and up to 2 free ATM withdrawals to the value of 1,000 MYR when you're overseas. You'll even get 8+ local account details to get paid conveniently to your Wise account in MYR and a selection of other major global currencies.

Sending money or making payments abroad? Wise also offers fast, low cost transfers to 140+ countries - you can track your transfer in your account and your recipient will also be notified when a transfer reaches them.

💰 For cheaper and easier payments in 150+ countries

💳 Get your Wise card today

---

1. Royal Thai Embassy, Kuala Lumpur
2. Thai e-visa
3. Thai digital arrival card
4. Google Flights