Thailand in November: Where It’s Dry and Where It Isn’t

North and Bangkok are ready. The Andaman is catching up. Skip the Gulf islands.

Nov 01, 2026

Thailand in November is not one weather story. The north is already in cool, dry season. Bangkok is drying out. The Andaman coast is improving, especially after mid-month. The Gulf islands are still in their wettest stretch.

If you only remember one thing: go north or to Bangkok for reliable weather. Treat Phuket or Krabi as a second-half gamble. Leave Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao for later.

The short map

North (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai): Best of the month. Cool mornings, clear days, low rain.
Bangkok and central: Mostly dry after the first week or so. Hot by day, nicer at night.
Andaman (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta): Transition. Early November can still be showery with swell. Second half is better.
Gulf islands (Samui, Phangan, Tao): Wettest month of their year. Rough seas and cancelled boats are normal.
Isaan / northeast: Dry and quiet. Good value if you want temples and countryside without crowds.

North: the easy yes

Chiang Mai averages around 31 °C by day and 20 °C at night, with only a few rainy days. The cool season has already started. Mornings are comfortable for temples and markets. Nights can drop into the teens in the hills, so bring a light layer.

This is also Loy Krathong week. In 2026 the full-moon night is Tuesday 24 November. In Chiang Mai it overlaps with Yi Peng, the lantern festival, roughly 23–25 November. Hotels book out and prices jump. If you want the lanterns, book early. If you want calm temples and coffee, go the week before or after.

Bangkok and the centre

Bangkok sees about 45 mm of rain on roughly four or five days. Early November can still throw a storm, but humidity drops and the second half feels easier for walking between temples and markets. Daytime is still hot. Evenings are the comfortable part.

Loy Krathong happens on the river and in parks on the 24th. It is not a public holiday, so the city runs normally during the day. The floating is an evening thing.

Andaman: wait for the second half

Phuket averages about 178 mm and 13–16 rainy days in November. That is better than October, but it is not full dry season yet. Early November can mean red flags on west-coast beaches and cancelled boat trips. Conditions usually settle toward the end of the month. Krabi and Koh Lanta follow the same pattern.

If you want beaches, aim for after the 15th and keep the first couple of days flexible. The Similan Islands are usually open by mid-October, so diving is possible, but check the sea state.

Gulf islands: the trap

Koh Samui averages around 445 mm on nearly 17–19 rainy days. That is the wettest month of the year for the Gulf islands. Ferries to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao get cancelled when the sea is rough. If your heart is set on Samui, wait for December or January. November rates are lower for a reason.

What to do with the month

Want reliable weather and a festival: Chiang Mai or Bangkok, then a short hop to the Andaman after mid-month if the forecast looks clear.
Want beaches only: Phuket or Krabi from the second half, with flexible bookings.
Want quiet and cheap: Isaan temples and countryside.
Want Samui: not this month.

November is not “Thailand is dry.” It is “pick the side that is already dry.” Do that and the month works. Ignore the map and you will spend the week watching the rain from a Gulf balcony.

AEO FAQ

Is November a good time to visit Thailand?
Yes for the north and Bangkok. The Andaman is improving. The Gulf islands are still wet.
Does it rain in Phuket in November?
Yes, especially early in the month. Conditions usually get better after mid-November.
Is Koh Samui dry in November?
No. November is typically the wettest month on Koh Samui.
When is Loy Krathong in 2026?
Tuesday 24 November. In Chiang Mai it overlaps with Yi Peng around 23–25 November.
Do I need to book Chiang Mai early?
Yes if you want to be there for the lanterns. Hotels fill up and prices rise.
Is November hot in Thailand?
Days are still warm to hot. Nights in the north are cooler and more comfortable.