Thailand's two weather systems
Thailand's west coast (Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak) and east coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) sit on opposite monsoon cycles — so there is genuinely no bad month for Thailand if you pick the right coast.
West coast at its best: November to April. East coast at its best: January to August (Samui's wettest weeks are late October–November). Bangkok and the north are driest and coolest November to February.
Prices through the year
Peak pricing hits mid-December to mid-January — flights from the UK reach £850–£1,100 return and beach resorts double their rates. The value sweet spots are May–June and September–October: returns from £480–£620, resort rates 30–50% down, and on the right coast the weather remains excellent.
'Monsoon' in Thailand usually means a heavy hour of afternoon rain, not washed-out days — outside the deepest wet weeks, green-season travel is one of travel's best-kept bargains.
Our route and combo tips
- ·No direct UK flights currently dominate value — Emirates, Qatar Airways and EVA via Bangkok all price sharply; Turkish Airlines often wins to Phuket
- ·Bangkok + island twin-centre beats a single base: 3 nights city, 7 nights beach — internal hops from £30
- ·Book Songkran (Thai New Year, mid-April) months ahead — the water festival fills flights and hotels
- ·Full-moon party months spike Koh Phangan ferries and rooms — book those legs first