Month guide · Chiang Mai · Thailand
Chiang Mai in April
What April is really like in Chiang Mai: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ ), CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
April is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 36°C (97°F), lows of 22°C (72°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 12.6 hours of daylight. The hottest month, with smoke lingering; Songkran turns the moat into a city-wide water fight.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 36°C (97°F) / 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 12.6 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in April
April is the warmest month in Chiang Mai: days average 36°C (97°F) against a yearly average high of 32°C (90°F), and nights fall to about 22°C (72°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 30 days. Compared with March (35°C (95°F)), April is about as warm; by May highs drop to around 34°C (93°F).
- Sunrise (15 April)
- About 06:07
- Sunset (15 April)
- About 18:41
- Daylight
- About 12.6 hours
Cool season (November–February). Dry, sunny and comfortable with cool nights; peak season for festivals such as Yi Peng and for trekking.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, April rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: April is one of the pricier months.
Events in April
- Songkran — Thai New Year water festival (13–15 April, longer in Chiang Mai)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in April
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Street · Nimmanhaemin
Nimmanhaemin Road
Chiang Mai's café street and its sois are lined with coffee shops roasting northern Thai beans, design boutiques, galleries and restaurants, with the One Nimman complex at the main junction.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- After dark
Experience · Mae Taeng
Elephant Nature Park
Choose a sanctuary with no riding or bathing shows, and book a day visit that includes transport from your hotel.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Zoo · Doi Suthep foothills
Chiang Mai Zoo
Set on the forested lower slopes of Doi Suthep, the zoo covers a large hilly area with Asian and African animals, an aquarium and a tram that links the sections.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Neighbourhood · Doi Suthep foothills
Baan Kang Wat
Come on a Sunday morning when a small market is usually held.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 36°C, lows near 22°C and 6 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is April a good time to visit Chiang Mai?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, November–February are better overall. Compare every month.
Chiang Mai in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is April a good time to visit Chiang Mai?
It is a shoulder-season month. The hottest month, with smoke lingering; Songkran turns the moat into a city-wide water fight.
+How warm is Chiang Mai in April?
Average highs are around 36°C (97°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chiang Mai in April?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.