Season guide · Chiang Mai · Thailand
Chiang Mai in the hot and smoky season
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ ), CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Temperatures in the mid-30s and frequent haze from crop burning, easing when the first rains arrive in May; Songkran falls in April. Expect highs up to 36°C (97°F) and lows around 18°C (64°F), with about 23 rainy days across March–May.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 18°C (64°F) to 36°C (97°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 23
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in the hot and smoky season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 35°C (95°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 2 | 12 h | 2/5 |
| April | 36°C (97°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 6 | 12.6 h | 4/5 |
| May | 34°C (93°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 15 | 13 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 35°C (95°F) against a yearly 32°C (90°F), and 23 of the year's roughly 115 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in the hot and smoky season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- April: Songkran — Thai New Year water festival (13–15 April, longer in Chiang Mai)
- May: Visakha Bucha — candlelit walk up to Doi Suthep (May or June)
- May: Inthakhin city pillar festival at Wat Chedi Luang (usually May or June)
Make the most of the weather
Religious site · Doi Suthep foothills
Wat Umong
Combine it with Baan Kang Wat artists' village, a few minutes away.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Doi Suthep
Wat Pha Lat and the Monk's Trail
A forest trail from the western end of Suthep Road climbs through jungle to Wat Pha Lat, a small temple with mossy stone statues beside a waterfall stream.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
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
Nature · Mae Rim
Huay Tung Tao Lake
Go on a weekday afternoon and order food to your hut; bring sun protection.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Nature
- Food
Day trips in the hot and smoky season
- Chiang Rai (About 3 hours each way by road) — Chiang Rai's White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), a fantastical modern temple by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the Blue Temple and the Black House museum make a long but popular day trip; an overnight stay is more relaxed.
- Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls (About 1 hour by road) — Limestone deposits make the rocks of this waterfall rough rather than slippery, so you can climb up through the cascades barefoot.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the hot and smoky season a good time to visit Chiang Mai?
It is a trade-off: Temperatures in the mid-30s and frequent haze from crop burning, easing when the first rains arrive in May; Songkran falls in April. The best months overall are November–February.
+What is the weather like in Chiang Mai in the hot and smoky season?
Highs of up to 36°C (97°F) and lows around 18°C (64°F), with about 23 rainy days over the season.