Month guide · Chiang Mai · Thailand
Chiang Mai in December
What December is really like in Chiang Mai: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Michael Jenselius from Chiang Mai, Thailand, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Chiang Mai. Expect average highs of 28°C (82°F), lows of 15°C (59°F), about 1 rainy days and roughly 11 hours of daylight. Sunny days and cool nights; the busiest and most expensive time, with Thai holidaymakers heading to the mountains.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 28°C (82°F) / 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy days
- About 1
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Chiang Mai: days average 28°C (82°F) against a yearly average high of 32°C (90°F), and nights fall to about 15°C (59°F). Rain falls on roughly 1 of its 31 days. Compared with November (29°C (84°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 29°C (84°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:49
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:50
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
Late rains (September–October). Heavy showers in September give way to drier, greener days in October before the high season.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Christmas and New Year events along the Ping River
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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 · Old City
Thai cooking class
Choose a small class that lets you pick your own dishes, and say if you need vegetarian versions.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Couples
Museum · Old City
Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre
Behind the Three Kings Monument, this museum in the former provincial hall tells the story of Chiang Mai from prehistory through the Lanna kingdom to modern times, with dioramas and models.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
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 28°C, lows near 15°C and 1 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Chiang Mai?
One of the best months to visit Chiang Mai, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are January–February and November. Compare every month.
Chiang Mai in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Chiang Mai?
It is one of the best months to visit Chiang Mai. Sunny days and cool nights; the busiest and most expensive time, with Thai holidaymakers heading to the mountains.
+How warm is Chiang Mai in December?
Average highs are around 28°C (82°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chiang Mai in December?
Expect rain on about 1 days of the month, so it is usually dry.