Month guide · Chiang Mai · Thailand
Chiang Mai in September
What September is really like in Chiang Mai: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Department of Tourism Thailand: LannaPhoto, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
September is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 31°C (88°F), lows of 22°C (72°F), about 17 rainy days and roughly 12.2 hours of daylight. Heavy showers continue, and the Ping River can flood low-lying riverside areas in some years.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 31°C (88°F) / 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days
- About 17
- Daylight
- About 12.2 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in September
September is the 8th-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 22°C (72°F). Rain falls on roughly 17 of its 30 days. Compared with August (31°C (88°F)), September is about as warm; by October highs stay near 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 06:11
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 18:27
- Daylight
- About 12.2 hours
Rainy season (June–August). Lush and green with afternoon storms; low prices and few visitors, with waterfalls at their best.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, September rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes September one of the better-value months to book.
Events in September
September has no major recurring festival in Chiang Mai, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in September
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Market · Tha Phae and Night Bazaar
Warorot Market
Buy edible souvenirs such as nam prik noom and dried fruit here at local prices.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Experience · Old City
Thai cooking class
Chiang Mai is the most popular place in Thailand to learn to cook, with dozens of schools offering half- or full-day classes that start with a market tour and include five or six dishes, often khao soi among them.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Couples
Museum · Old City
Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre
Visit on your first day, ideally during the afternoon heat.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Gallery · San Kamphaeng
MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum
This private museum in San Kamphaeng, behind a mirrored façade, shows contemporary Thai and Southeast Asian art from the Bunnag family collection and rotating exhibitions.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 31°C, lows near 22°C and 17 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 September 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 September a good time to visit Chiang Mai?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Heavy showers continue, and the Ping River can flood low-lying riverside areas in some years.
+How warm is Chiang Mai in September?
Average highs are around 31°C (88°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chiang Mai in September?
Expect rain on about 17 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.