Month guide · Chiang Mai · Thailand
Chiang Mai in August
What August is really like in Chiang Mai: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Stefan Fussan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
August is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 31°C (88°F), lows of 23°C (73°F), about 21 rainy days and roughly 12.8 hours of daylight. One of the wettest months; mountain roads can be slippery and some trekking trails muddy.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 31°C (88°F) / 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days
- About 21
- Daylight
- About 12.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in August
August is the 7th-warmest month in Chiang Mai: days average 31°C (88°F) against a yearly average high of 32°C (90°F), and nights fall to about 23°C (73°F). Rain falls on roughly 21 of its 31 days. Compared with July (31°C (88°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs stay near 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:06
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 18:52
- Daylight
- About 12.8 hours
Hot and smoky season (March–May). Temperatures in the mid-30s and frequent haze from crop burning, easing when the first rains arrive in May; Songkran falls in April.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes August one of the better-value months to book.
Events in August
August has no major recurring festival in Chiang Mai, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, 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 31°C, lows near 23°C and 21 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Chiang Mai?
A good-value shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, November–February are better overall. Compare every month.
Chiang Mai in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Chiang Mai?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. One of the wettest months; mountain roads can be slippery and some trekking trails muddy.
+How warm is Chiang Mai in August?
Average highs are around 31°C (88°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chiang Mai in August?
Expect rain on about 21 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.