I just got back from my first trip to Thailand in the low season, and I’m happy to report it’s a great time to visit!
Yes, you may spot a fair bit of rain on the forecast but that doesn’t necessarily mean what you think it does if you live somewhere like the UK. Plus, with other perks including less crowds and better prices, I thought I’d share with you 9 reasons you shouldn’t write off an off-peak trip to Thailand for yourself.
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When exactly is Thailand’s low season?
Thailand’s low season usually falls between May and October, when much of the country sees more frequent rain and higher humidity. But it’s a big country, and not all regions get rain at the same time. In fact, some east coast islands, like Koh Samui, have their rainy season a bit later – around October to December, so it’s important that you check specifically where you’re off to.
9 Reasons Why You Should Travel to Thailand in the Low Season
1. It’s more affordable
When you’re planning your trip to Thailand, you’ll want to consider the time of year that you go and my biggest cost-saving tip is to visit during the off season.
As this is a less popular time for tourists to visit, your costs will be so much cheaper compared to if you visit at a more popular time. For example, the stunning 5 Star Pimalai Resort & Spa on Koh Lanta was a whopping 65% cheaper when I visited in May compared to its peak prices in November. Now that’s a saving I can be on board with!
Plus, you’ll often find flights are cheaper too.
2. There are fewer crowds at tourist attractions
With fewer tourists it means there will be fewer crowds at the top tourist attractions, meaning you won’t have to jostle with other people so much.
I was a little apprehensive about going to the Sunday Market in Chiang Mai after I’d heard how busy it can get, but in May I was able to stroll around with plenty of space, taking my time to look in at all the stalls and calmly popping into near-empty temples as part of my evening.
3. The rain can stop as quickly as it arrives
Often you’ll see the weather forecast display rain across the board for an entire day, but the reality can be very different! A quick downpour can often clear up, or not even arrive.
Of course, the rain can catch you out too but I’ve learnt it’s never as simple as what the weather app says.
Naturally, keep across any weather warnings that come in – especially if you have an activity booked that’s weather dependent – but otherwise I’d simply grab an umbrella and take the forecast with a pinch of salt!
4. Everywhere is lush and green
One of the perks of rain? The landscape is on its A-game. From overflowing waterfalls to luscious jungle hikes, Thailand looks pretty epic even when the skies aren’t clear blue.
‘Rainy season’ might sound bad, but it actually just means that the whole place is green and vibrant. It’s a great time to visit the rice paddies near Chiang Mai, or the waterfalls at Erawan National Park and Sai Yok National Park, both in Kanchanaburi.
I actually loved the moody vibe of the skies when we were visiting Wat Chedi Luang – in Chiang Mai – and escaping the rain 10 minutes later with a £2 massage!
5. Cooler nights are better for sleeping
Visiting Thailand in the cooler months means you can rest a little easier (and a little less sweaty!) as the nights can also be a bit cooler. With your holiday likely to include jam-packed days of sightseeing, it’ll pay to wake feeling refreshed.
Humidity may be high still – and remember to sort out your mozzie protection – but at least you’re not too hot as well.
6. It’s easier to be spontaneous
With fewer people around during the low season, you don’t have to book everything in advance. Plus, popular food and drink hotspots will be less busy – we were able to stride into top bars Havana Social and J.Boroski in Bangkok when we visited with no problems.
7. You can enjoy local festivals and culture
It’s always fun to experience local events and festivals when you travel, and if these happen in quieter periods – like the low season – it can just make things feel a little bit more chill and authentic. Here are a couple to check out.
Bun Bang Fai (Rocket festival) May
Festivals typically follow seasonal patterns, and Bun Bang Fai rocket festival is no exception. It marks the beginning of the rainy season in the region of Isan and bamboo rockets are set off to entice the god of rain to send down plenty of showers during the season. Isaan is in the northeast and shares borders with Laos and Cambodia – it’s a relatively undiscovered area in terms of mass tourism, so it’s a great spot to go to for more authentic adventures.
Phi Ta Khon (Ghost festival) July
The Phi Ta Khon ghost festival is a big ol’ party – probably the most lively of all the country’s festivals, when people dress up as ghosts and wear masks. It happens in the mountainous Loei region in the northeast of Thailand, where temperatures can vary much more than in the rest of the country.
8. It’s a perfect time to relax or go on a wellbeing retreat
Want to simply stop and relax, or perhaps treat yourself to a wellbeing retreat?
Cooler temperatures and calmer resorts mean it’s a great season for spa days, yoga retreats or just simply sitting out by the pool and reading a good book.
If you’re looking for a destination that won’t break the bank, but where you can totally kick back and switch off, then Thailand in the low season is a great choice.
9. You have more chance of a free hotel upgrade
With fewer hotel rooms booked up, there’s more chance of a hotel upgrade – something we tested out on our recent trip where we attempted to get three upgrades from three Thai hotels!
There’s literally nothing to lose: you just write a polite email and ask the question – and if it’s a no, it’s a no!
But there’s every chance they might shout you a free upgrade – especially in the low season when then they’re likely to have more rooms available because there are fewer bookings compared to high season.
If you get lucky, you could end up enjoying a swankier pad than the one you booked – sometimes with additional extras like breakfast or spa access included – which can really take your trip to the next level!
Use my free template to write your email requesting a free hotel room upgrade.
Jet Off to Thailand for Less With Our 9 Reasons To Travel to Thailand in the Low Season
We hope our 9 reasons to travel to Thailand in the low season will help you seal the deal on your next Thai adventure. Whether you’re drawn to lush landscapes, idyllic islands or cultural hotspots, low season is a great time to visit for less.
