Thailand Infos

Thailand in October: weather, best places and festivals

In October the north has the least rain, and even there it is 114 to 125 millimetres: Pai 114, Chiang Mai and Isan 118, Chiang Rai 125. All four are changeable; no place is dry.

In the south the rain reaches its peak: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao 310 millimetres, Phuket 320, Krabi 324, Koh Lanta 325, Khao Lak 518. Hua Hin has its wettest month with 246 millimetres, Bangkok gets 292. Boats to Koh Tao are now cancelled at times. October is also when Buddhist Lent ends, and an alcohol ban applies on that day.

All 20 destinations in October

Sorted by rain, driest first. The figures are monthly averages from 1981 to 2010; the temperature is the average daily high.

changeable 4 places

60 to 150 millimetres, expect showers.

Misty green Pai valley at sunrise with gentle mountains and a small bamboo bridge over rice fieldsPai114 mm33 °C, 22 °C at nightMountain valley in the north-westGolden chedi of a temple on a wooded hill, surrounded by mist, rice terraces and mountains in northern Thailand, seen from aboveChiang Mai118 mm31 °C, 22 °C at nightTemples and mountains in the northSandstone Khmer temple Phanom Rung in warm afternoon light, with green rice fields in front in northeastern ThailandIsan118 mm32 °C, 23 °C at nightKhmer temples and the MekongWhite Temple Wat Rong Khun with sparkling mirror decorations in calm morning light, a pond with a reflection in front and green hills behind in northern ThailandChiang Rai125 mm30 °C, 21 °C at nightWhite Temple and the Golden Triangle

rainy season 16 places

Over 150 millimetres, the rain shapes the day.

Three restored bell-shaped chedis of Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya in warm morning light, with lawn and old brick walls in frontAyutthaya197 mm32 °C, 24 °C at nightOld royal capital on the riverThe steel Bridge on the River Kwai with its curved arches over the calm river in warm evening light, green trees on the bank and mountains in the backgroundKanchanaburi209 mm32 °C, 24 °C at nightBridge on the River Kwai and waterfallsPattaya beach promenade in the evening with palm trees, a curved bay and high-rises in the backgroundPattaya216 mm31 °C, 24 °C at nightBeach city close to BangkokCurved sandy beach of Hua Hin in warm evening light, with a green hill and a golden temple at the end of the bay and fishing boats in the waterHua Hin246 mm31 °C, 25 °C at nightQuiet seaside resort on the GulfWat Arun on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok at sunset, with a longtail boat on the water in frontBangkok292 mm33 °C, 25 °C at nightTemples, the river and street food stallsHalf-moon bay with white sand and coconut palms on Koh Phangan, green hills behind, a longtail boat in the shallow turquoise waterKoh Phangan310 mm30 °C, 24 °C at nightQuiet bays, loud full moon nightsWhite sand beach with leaning coconut palms and turquoise sea, with a golden Buddha statue on a headland in the background on Koh SamuiKoh Samui310 mm30 °C, 24 °C at nightPalm island in the GulfThree small green islands joined by a white sandbar, surrounded by clear turquoise water at Koh TaoKoh Tao310 mm30 °C, 24 °C at nightSmall island for diversWhite sandy beach on Phuket with longtail boats in the turquoise water of the Andaman Sea, green hills behindPhuket320 mm32 °C, 24 °C at nightBeaches, old town and islandsTwo longtail boats in a turquoise bay with a white sandy beach, limestone cliffs and coral near Krabi and the Phi Phi IslandsKrabi & Phi Phi324 mm31 °C, 22 °C at nightLimestone cliffs and islandsLong, almost empty sandy beach on the west coast of Koh Lanta in evening light, casuarinas and palms on the shore, a longtail boat in calm waterKoh Lanta325 mm31 °C, 24 °C at nightQuiet island off KrabiClear turquoise shallow water and a white sandy beach on Koh Lipe, with longtail boats with colourful ribbons in front and a small island in the backgroundKoh Lipe339 mm32 °C, 24 °C at nightSmall island in the far southQuiet bay on Koh Chang with pale sandy beach, palms and turquoise water, steep, densely wooded mountains with clouds behind, a longtail boat in the shallow waterKoh Chang377 mm32 °C, 23 °C at nightGreen mountain island in the eastQuiet beach on Koh Kood with leaning coconut palms and a wooden jetty reaching into calm turquoise waterKoh Kood377 mm32 °C, 23 °C at nightQuiet island without a 7-ElevenWide, quiet sandy beach at Khao Lak in the morning light, lined with casuarina trees and coconut palms, wooded hills behind, calm Andaman SeaKhao Lak518 mm31 °C, 23 °C at nightLong beaches north of PhuketFloating bamboo raft houses on the emerald-green Cheow Lan Lake, with steep limestone cliffs behind in the morning hazeKhao Sok518 mm31 °C, 23 °C at nightRainforest and Cheow Lan Lake

For places without a weather station of their own, the figures of the nearest station apply: Ayutthaya (Suphan Buri station), Khao Lak and Khao Sok (Takua Pa station), Koh Chang and Koh Kood (Trat station), Koh Lipe (Satun station), Koh Phangan and Koh Tao (Koh Samui station) and Pai (Mae Hong Son station). More places and every month in detail are on the weather page.

Festivals and public holidays in October

  • 16 to 27 October 2026Illuminated boats on the MekongFestival, Nakhon PhanomIlluminated boats on the Mekong for the end of Buddhist Lent. Highlight on 26 October, hotels booked up very early.
  • 23 October 2026Chulalongkorn DayPublic holiday, nationwideMemorial day for King Rama V. Long weekend, day-trip destinations crowded.Banks closedOffices closed
  • 27 October 2026Full Moon PartyParty, Koh Phangan, Haad RinMonthly beach party at full moon. Ferries full, rooms expensive.
  • 30 September to 8 October 2027Vegetarian FestivalFestival, PhuketTaoist Nine Emperor Gods Festival with processions.
  • 13 October 2027King Bhumibol Memorial Day (Rama IX)Public holiday, nationwideAnniversary of the death of King Bhumibol.Banks closedOffices closed
  • 15 October 2027End of Buddhist LentBuddhist holiday, nationwideEnd of the monks’ rainy season retreat. No alcohol sales.Alcohol ban
  • 25 October 2027Substitute holiday Chulalongkorn DaySubstitute holiday, nationwideDay in lieu for 23 October.Banks closedOffices closed

All dates of the year are in the festival calendar.

Frequently asked questions: Thailand in October

Where is it dry in Thailand in October?

None of the 20 places stays under 60 millimetres in October. The least rain falls in Pai (114 mm), Chiang Mai (118 mm) and Isan (118 mm).

How warm is it in Thailand in October?

By day the average ranges from 30 degrees in Koh Tao to 33 degrees in Pai. The coolest nights are in Chiang Rai, at an average of 21 degrees.

Where is it best in October?

In the north and in Isan, with 114 to 125 millimetres in Pai, Chiang Mai, Isan and Chiang Rai. That is changeable, but it is the least rain this month.

How the seasons are spread over the year is covered in the guide Best time to visit Thailand. All twelve months at a glance: the best time to visit overview. Also useful: the costs per day and the visa calculator.

Sources

  1. Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), climate averages 1981 to 2010, rounded
  2. The Nation: Bank of Thailand sets 18 bank holidays for 2027 (28 August 2026)
  3. Bank of Thailand: financial institutions’ holidays 2026
  4. Bank of Thailand Notification 37/2569: holidays 2027 (via tnews, 26 August 2026)
  5. Sanook: holidays 2027 (7 September 2026)
  6. myhora: Loy Krathong dates
  7. Full Moon Party Thailand: dates
  8. Straits Times: alcohol sales ban on Buddhist holidays
  9. The Nation: exemptions from the alcohol ban
  10. Surin Elephant Festival