Seasonal travelBy Clever Tourists · Published
November is one of the best months for Thailand's north and Bangkok, and one of the worst for the Gulf islands. The rains end in the centre and north, Bangkok averages about 25 to 33°C (77 to 91°F) with only around 45 mm of rain, and Chiang Mai cools to about 20 to 31°C (68 to 87°F). Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are in their wettest month. Loy Krathong falls on about 14 November 2027, and prices climb through the month towards the December peak. We reached Thailand on 7 December 2022, a few weeks after this window, so the figures are 1991 to 2020 climate normals and not our experience.
• Best weather: Bangkok and the north. Rain is low and humidity is falling.
• Best for beaches: the Andaman coast improves late in the month, but Phuket still averages about 178 mm over 13 rain days. Avoid the Gulf islands.
• Festival: Loy Krathong and Yi Peng in Chiang Mai, about 14 November 2027.
• Cheapest: early November, before peak season starts around Christmas.
• Avoid: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, where the Thailand best-time page lists November as the wettest month.
Typical November figures from 1991 to 2020 climate normals:
• Bangkok: about 25 to 33°C (77 to 91°F), around 45 mm of rain over 4 rain days and humidity near 69%. It is the first comfortable month after the wet season.
• Chiang Mai: about 20 to 31°C (68 to 87°F), around 41 mm of rain over 3 rain days. Nights are cool enough for a light layer, and the burning season has not started.
• Phuket and the Andaman coast: about 25 to 32°C (77 to 90°F), around 178 mm over 13 rain days. Seas are calming but not yet reliable for island-hopping.
• Gulf islands: our best time to visit Thailand page cites about 445 mm for Koh Samui in November.
Flooding in low-lying parts of central Thailand can linger from the rainy season in some years, so check local news if you are going to Ayutthaya or Bangkok's outskirts. Our Thailand packing list has what to bring.
Loy Krathong follows the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month. Most sources we checked put it on Sunday 14 November 2027, with Chiang Mai's Yi Peng lantern events around 13 to 15 November; one source gives 13 November. None of these were official Tourism Authority of Thailand announcements, so treat it as provisional until Chiang Mai publishes its programme.
People float small decorated baskets on rivers and canals, and Chiang Mai's lantern releases are the most photographed part. Expect crowds, higher hotel rates and booking pressure in Chiang Mai; read our Yi Peng and Loy Krathong guide and where to stay in Chiang Mai.
The north works well. Our route spent 22 to 28 December 2022 in Chiang Mai and 28 December to 4 January in Chiang Rai, and the same places suit November. See how many days in Chiang Mai, how many days in Chiang Rai and the Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai bus guide.
Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Lampang are also comfortable. We spent 7 to 13 December 2022 in Bangkok; see 3 days in Bangkok and how many days in Sukhothai. For the full cool-season route we used, read the 6-week Thailand itinerary.
Early November is the value window: the rains have ended in Bangkok and the north, while hotel rates have not reached their Christmas peak. Prices rise around Loy Krathong and again from about 20 December. Chiang Mai during the festival books out.
The Similan Islands reopened for the season on 15 October 2026 according to our best-time page, which is a reason to look at Khao Sok or the Andaman side later in the month. See Thailand in December and January for the next stage of the season.
Pack light, breathable clothes for Bangkok's 33°C afternoons and one warm layer for Chiang Mai and Doi Inthanon evenings, when the temperature drops towards 20°C or lower in the hills. A compact umbrella still earns its space for the occasional shower, and sandals you can slip off make temple visits easier; the dress rules are in our Thailand temple dress code.
Before you fly, read the Thailand Digital Arrival Card guide and the visa guide. For getting around Bangkok, see our Grab vs Bolt guide, and for the north, the Bangkok to Chiang Mai sleeper train guide. Night trains and flights to Chiang Mai fill up in the days around Loy Krathong, so book those first.
If you want the Gulf islands, go between February and August instead. Samui is at its wettest.
If you want the empty-beach Andaman, December to March is more reliable.
If you want the lowest prices, June to October is cheaper, with more rain; see best time to visit Thailand. For costs, see how much does a trip to Thailand cost.
Yes for Bangkok and the north, which are dry and cooler. It is wet on the Gulf islands such as Koh Samui.
Most sources put it on Sunday 14 November 2027, with Yi Peng in Chiang Mai around 13 to 15 November. These are provisional until official announcements.
Bangkok is about 25 to 33°C and Chiang Mai about 20 to 31°C. Nights in the north are noticeably cooler.
Mixed. It averages about 178 mm of rain over 13 rain days, and seas improve by December.
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