Why Heading To Thailand For Spring Break May Not Be A Good Idea
To most travelers, spring break feels like some well-deserved time off after kick-starting the year filled with energy and post-NYE ambition. In spite of its reputation as a holiday season that's typically associated with boozed-up college students and sundown-to-sunrise parties, it's the first "week" — though some school and university breaks tend to be up to two weeks long — of the year where travelers can truly relax again without the pressures of school and work looming over them.
However, not every beachy and sunny destination is necessarily appropriate — especially if you're looking to avoid spring breakers on the hunt for some cocktail-fueled fun. And although places like Miami, Cancún, and Jamaica typically top the list as the most popular spring break choices for travelers under the age of 35, there are more far-off destinations that are slowly gaining popularity with a more laid-back group of travelers. Specifically, countries like Italy, Ireland, France, Japan, and Thailand are becoming all the rage — with Priceline seeing a 150% spike in searches for Bangkok in 2024.
But before you pack up and jet off on a Thai getaway, there's one thing you need to know: Spring break typically coincides with Thailand's hottest season. And when we say hot, we mean really hot — as in, temperatures of up to 93 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you're not ready or willing to deal with the heat, humidity, and blazing sun, it's probably best to stick to some stateside spring break alternatives instead.
Thailand's hottest season falls during spring break
Yes, Thailand is generally warm and sunny year-round, which makes it the perfect destination whether you're looking for a mid-winter escape to wash away the blues or a summertime getaway during Thailand's wet season.
However, spring break (or, in Thailand's case, the weeks between March and May) falls on some of the hottest months of the year. In fact, they're some of the hottest months ever — and that's not an exaggeration. In April 2023, for example, the country recorded its hottest day on record when the northern province of Tak reached a scorching 114 degrees Fahrenheit.
And let's be honest: No one wants to think about visiting Thailand's best attractions, beach hopping in between islands, or digging into some delicious local food when the heat is hitting that hard. At the end of the day, not only can extremely hot temperatures put a damper on your trip, but they can also be incredibly dangerous and, in some cases, they can even be fatal.
Choosing the best time to visit Thailand
Thankfully, there are plenty of other options to visit Thailand that won't leave you scrambling for the air-con remote every time you come back to your hotel room. Ideally, the best time to visit Thailand is between November and March, when the weather is warm (not sweltering) and there's little rain. Plus, you get to escape winter!
Additionally, this time also coincides with some of Thailand's most mesmerizing events: Yi Peng and Loy Krathong — the country's famous lantern festivals — which usually take place in Chiang Mai during the month of November.
Alternatively, if you don't mind the occasional downpour, the months between May and October are also a great time to hit up Thailand — especially the northern region where you might find slightly cooler temperatures. Not only is the landscape greener and more lush during this time, but accommodation and transportation also tend to be more affordable since there are less tourists around. Basically, it's an ideal situation if you're willing to look on the bright side (of the rainy days)!