Rainy season in Phrae

Many tourists visiting Thailand are not aware that weather can be extremely local. Up here in the north of Thailand we have now (July) rainy season which typically lasts from May to somewhere in October with varying amounts of rain. This the rice growing season.

Then from November to January / February we have winter where temperatures can drop to 15 degrees during the night and a very nice 20 - 30 degrees during the day. As the humidity also drops in winter the climate is nearly like an European summer.

November / December is also a very popular time to visit the north as the weather cooled down a bit already while countryside is still green. As there is no rain in winter things will get more and more dry and dusty over time, especially when summer kicks in in February (which will be hot and dry).

I personally love the flow of seasons like this. It always gives you something to look forward to. Especially winter with it's mild and dry climate is a fantastic time. This is the only area in Thailand where the humidity drops for a few months.

Bangkok which is a 6 hour drive down south and the south of Thailand itself have completely different seasons. For example Koh Samui has the rainy season from September / October to January while Phuket (which lies to the west of Samui) is in (and influenced from) the Indian Ocean and everything is different again!

But one thing is for sure, whenever you visit Thailand, you will certainly not freeze. Except you are camping in the north on a mountain-top overnight which is a favorite holiday for Thais from all over the country. They never experienced real cold and its great fun for them and always a good excuse to bring out some beer and whiskey.