Winter is the perfect time to take a trip to Thailand. With the rainy season coming to an end, humidity dropping, and more sunny days, it’s the time with the best weather. It’s also the time when lots of people travel to Thailand, giving pretty much every town a vibrant feel. A vacation to Thailand between December and February is the perfect way of getting over the winter blues and injecting some well-needed vitamin D.
But what can you do in Thailand during winter? You’ll be pleased to know that as it is the peak season, you’ll find loads of things to do here.
Hit the Beach
It might not sound like the most obvious winter activity, but the cooler months in Thailand are still ideal for sunbathing. Temperatures average in the high 20s during this time, making winter a fantastic time to top up your suntan. Of course, the most popular destinations for beaches are the Thai islands such as Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Samui, but you’ll also find some amazing beaches on the mainland too, such as in Pattaya. But if just lounging about on the beach isn’t enough for you, there’s plenty of activities you can take part in too. If you’re a fan of water sports, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, jet-skiing, parasailing, and sailing are all on offer somewhere in Thailand, so whatever you’re into, you’re bound to find the perfect Thai beach destination for you.
Go Sightseeing
During the rainy period in the summer, temperatures and humidity soar, making sightseeing an exhausting activity. While it’s obviously still a fun activity to do, you’ll enjoy yourself a lot more if you go sightseeing in Thailand between December and February. This is particularly true of Bangkok; as such a massive city, Bangkok can get extremely oppressive in summer, and making your way around the city can seem more of a chore than anything else. But in winter you’ll find it much easier to go sightseeing when you’re not dripping with sweat. And there’s certainly a lot to see here. All around the country you’ll find exquisite temples, fascinating historical sites and museums, and fun attractions which have the potential to keep you busy for weeks.
Enjoy Thailand in Full Bloom
Very much like in spring in the west, winter is the time when many flowers begin to bloom again in Thailand, especially in the north of the country. Chiang Mai is a particularly popular spot to see the wonderful swathes of color. If you head to the mountains and hills of Doi Inthanon, Doi Angkhang, or Khun Chang Khien, you’ll see them covered in wild Himalayan cherry blossom. Singha Park is also a beautiful place to visit in Chiang Rai, with its wonderful orange and pink flowers; there’s also a zip line here if you want to add a bit of excitement to your day. If you love sunflowers, the Muak Lek Sunflower Fields are just a two-hour drive from Bangkok, making it the perfect day trip. For those of you spending your Thai winter vacation in Pattaya, a visit to Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, with its splendid variety of landscaped gardens, including palm gardens, orchid nurseries, and topiary gardens, is an absolute must.
Pull on Your Hiking Boots
Very much like with sightseeing and spending time at the beach, winter provides the ideal climate for those who love hiking and trekking. And you certainly won’t be disappointed with what Thailand has to offer. The country is home to some of the most awe-inspiring natural scenery you’ll ever see in your life, from lush green rainforest to imposing, mist-covered mountains. But it’s not just the views that make hiking and trekking in Thailand so amazing. In northern Thailand there’s the possibility of meeting some of the country’s traditional tribes whose lives have remained unchanged for hundreds of years. The surrounding areas of the northern cities of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai offer some of the best trails in Thailand, with routes suitable for all levels of ability, but you’ll find opportunities for the activity pretty much everywhere in the country.
Take Afternoon Tea
You might be more inclined to think about tea as a Chinese or Indian product, but Thailand actually has plenty of tea plantations to explore as well. If you’re interested in learning more about the processing and production of tea here, there are a number of places you can go. The ones regarded as the best in the country can be found around Chiang Rai – Choui Fong, Hongfu, and Doi Wa Wee. If you’re in Chiang Mai for your winter holiday, head over to 2000 Tea Plantation; here you can have breathtaking views over the tea plantation as well as the neighboring strawberry farm. Also in Chiang Mai is Raming Tea, the country’s sole producer of black tea.
If you’re looking to experience an afternoon tea, Bangkok and Chiang Mai both have some fantastic places to partake of one. Served in some of these city’s classiest establishments, it’s the perfect way to relax and spend a lazy afternoon, especially if you’ve spent the morning sightseeing.
Party the Night Away
Thailand has a reputation for being one of the best places in the world to party and just one night here will tell you that this reputation is completely justified. While it’s certainly not the only reason to head to the Land of Smiles, the nightlife here definitely has to be experienced. And as winter is the most popular time to visit the country, you can guarantee that the pubs and bars will be filled, creating a wonderful ambience. The country’s most famous party spot – or most infamous, depending on how you look at it – is Bangkok’s Khao San Road. Due to the abundance of cheap hostels here, the area is extremely popular with backpackers, but there’s something for everyone here, from super cheap and tasty street food to clubs where you can dance all night. Other Thai destinations famed for their buzzing nightlife scenes are Chiang Mai, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, and Phuket. But you don’t just have to travel to bigger places to have fun. The small town of Pai in the north has long been a favorite of bohemians and free spirits, but has become more well-known in recent years, partly for its varied choice of nightspots.
Celebrate New Year in Style
If you want to do something exceptional for New Year, head over to Thailand. While the traditional Thai New Year – known as Songkran – is celebrated in April, it’s still customary to ring on January 1st with countdown parties. You will come across such celebrations with fireworks, concerts and much, much more pretty much everywhere in the country. The biggest parties are obviously held in Bangkok, but Chiang Mai and Pattaya are also famous for their New Year celebrations.
If you’re planning on taking a vacation where you can catch some winter sun and enjoy the best of what a country has to offer, you can’t get much better than Thailand. With its beautiful scenery, enchanting cities and perfect weather, you’ll soon agree that Thailand is the ideal destination for your winter holiday.
