December offers wonderful weather across most areas of Thailand, making it an ideal month for active holidays, lazy beach breaks or family trips. December is one of the tourist high season months with many visitors from Europe and the West travelling to Thailand seeking winter sunshine. The peak tourist period typically starts in mid-December, so if you plan to visit the Thai islands or beach resorts during Christmas and New Year it’s advisable to book your accommodation in advance.
December weather
In December, most areas of Thailand offer blue skies and long hours of sunshine. Coupled with the advantage of low humidity during the cool season, this is an ideal time to visit. Whether you’re looking to explore the country or simply relax on the beach or by the pool, December is perfect for a trip to Thailand.
Throughout most of the country, the weather is excellent in December. However, be aware that the southern Gulf Coast can still feel the effects of the north-east monsoon in December. This means that the Gulf Coast islands, such as Ko Samui, and parts of the mainland, like Chumphon, might experience higher rainfall compared to other regions. The weather in these areas generally becomes more settled from mid-December onwards.
Where to visit in December
If you’re planning a Thai beach holiday, you can expect good weather at most destinations. The Andaman Coast typically enjoys near-perfect conditions in December, making it the ideal time for island hopping. Thailand’s East Coast also experiences settled weather with warm temperatures and calm seas during this month. However, as mentioned, Ko Samui and the nearby islands on Thailand’s lower Gulf Coast (e.g., Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao) may have more unsettled weather, especially in the first half of December. While there will still be plenty of sunshine, tropical downpours are possible.
Elsewhere in Thailand, December brings warm sunshine, lower humidity, and cooler evening temperatures. This makes it an excellent month for urban exploration in destinations like Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
December is also a perfect time to venture into the beautiful Thai countryside in the North and North-East. In mountainous Mae Hong Son province, golden sunflowers bloom during the cool season, and provinces like Chiang Rai and Nan are ideal to visit in December. Evening temperatures in northern and north-eastern Thailand can get quite low by Thai standards (particularly in the countryside) so a lightweight top can be useful.
Events and festivals in December
There are two public holidays in the first half of the month. On December 5, Thailand observes Bhumibol Memorial Day to honour King Rama IX while December 10 is Constitution Day.
From mid-December to February, visitors to Bangkok can enjoy outdoor concerts hosted by the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO). The concerts are usually hosted at Lumpini Park, but check the RBSO Facebook page for details of the schedule.
Despite being predominantly Buddhist, Thailand embraces the festive season with giant Christmas trees in shopping malls. Although Christmas Day and Boxing Day are normal working days, many hotels in Thailand arrange special events and Christmas dinners for guests. It’s not uncommon to see hotel staff, tuk-tuk drivers, and Thai children wearing Santa hats during the festive period in Thailand.
The New Year celebrations are a big event in Thailand and visitors to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and popular resort areas can expect to see various festive events held with outdoor music concerts and firework displays. Buddhist temples are busy with many Thai Buddhists attending local temple ceremonies to welcome the New Year.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are public holidays in Thailand, making it one of the busiest travel periods. Keep this in mind when making travel arrangements because there is a surge in demand for flights, trains and buses over the New Year period.
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