Visiting Thailand in July
Climate and weather guide
Despite the increasingly wet weather, Thailand gets busier this month as school holidays begin, so go towards the start of July for both the driest and quietest days. It’s getting harder to dodge the rain though, and trekking is much trickier thanks to muddy trails and regular downpours so it’s not the best month to plan a holiday in Thailand if you’re looking to explore the countryside.
Beaches
This is not when to go to Thailand’s west coast either, with the sea getting rougher as the monsoon wind picks up. The islands off eastern Thailand, including Ko Chang and Ko Kood are also very wet this month, so for beach weather, look at destinations in the Gulf of Thailand.
Ko Samui is generally sunny, although it’s busy this month, while Ko Phangan is also getting more crowded. It’s a popular month for diving around Ko Tao, where turtles are beginning to nest on some of the island’s beaches, or you can head to Khanom, where there’s still a chance of seeing the pink dolphins.
Central Thailand
It’s humid and rainier in Bangkok as well this month, although you’ll tend to experience short, sharp showers rather than day-long drizzle. The crowds have left Ayutthaya, where you have a chance to experience Buddhist ‘Lent’ this month; Khao Phansa marks the start of a traditional three-month retreat during the rainy season, with ceremonies taking place at some of the former royal city’s ancient temples.
Festivals: One of Thailand’s most unusual festivals takes place in July, the Phi Ta Khon or Ghost Festival. Taking place in Dan Sai, Isaan, around four hours east of Sukhothai, people dress up in sheets and wear vibrant carved masks, with parades, dancing and rockets fired.
Khao Pansa (also known as Vassa) signals the start of a traditional monastic retreat during the rainy season, marked by events including the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival which takes place just before Khao Pansa, as well as ceremonies at temples across the country, especially Wat Pho and Wat Arun in Bangkok.
Best for: East coast beaches, festivals
A few of our favourite Thailand holidays
