By Greg Rodgers
Asia Travel Expert, about.com
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The weather for Thailand in spring is hot, but Songkran, the Thai New
Year festival, makes up for scorching temps! Although not as ideal as
winter, spring is still a great time of year to visit Thailand before
the monsoon season begins in late spring or early summer.
Thailand’s shape is elongated, so there are variances in climate between the north and south. If the southern islands are too hot or rainy, there’s a good chance the north will be enjoying slightly drier, cooler temperatures.
Weather for Thailand in Spring
The weather for Thailand in spring goes something like this: hot, then hot and humid, then eventually hot and wet. Temperatures and humidity climb steadily from around the end of February until April, the hottest month.
By the time monsoon rains cool things down in May or June, depending on
which part of Thailand, locals and tourists alike are thankful for some
respite from the heat!
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Mother
Nature doesn’t always play by the rules. The monsoon season should
begin around the end of spring in Thailand, but much to the chagrin of
rice farmers, the start has been delayed in recent years.
Even
during spring, what is considered the “dry” season, pop-up thunderstorms
are common. These showers are often of short duration and end up
raising humidity more than helping alleviate it.
Spring Weather in Bangkok
Average
high temperatures in March, April, and May are typically in the 90s
Fahrenheit. The average temperature in April is around 95 degrees
Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). Bangkok’s urban landscape and pollution
exasperate the heat and humidity to three-shower-a-day levels.
Bangkok
receives plenty of rain in May, but showers slack off slightly in June
then climb steadily until September, usually the wettest month.
Haze and Smoke Hit Thailand in Spring
An
annual problem, seasonal fires from slash-and-burn agriculture create
smoke and haze that lingers in the air. The problem is mainly
concentrated around Northern Thailand; Chiang Mai
is particularly affected. Despite the government’s efforts to curb the
practice, inevitably the fires come back every year around March. By
April, particulate levels in the air actually reach dangerous levels in
some places. In 2015, the airport in Chiang Mai had to be closed for
several days due to poor visibility.
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Travelers with
asthma, severe allergies, or other respiratory issues should check haze
conditions before traveling to Chiang Mai and Pai during the spring months.
Songkran – the Thai New Year
Songkran, the Thai New Year celebration (April 13 to April 15), is arguably the wettest, wildest New Year festival on earth. It ranks among the largest festivals in Thailand.
Love it or hate it, you won’t be dry in public for three days! Songkran
is enjoyed by locals just as much -- or more -- than the tourists.
You’ll receive a bucket of ice water over the head each time you leave
the hotel -- perhaps not such a bad thing given the hot temperatures in
April.
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The only way to survive Songkran
is to embrace the good-natured fun and join the water fight or stay
clear of busy places in Thailand until the festival ends. Only the King
of Thailand, monks, and pregnant women are exempt from a soaking,
everyone else is fair game.
The epicenter for Songkran is Chiang
Mai where the city practically shuts down for three days. You’ll need to
book a hotel in advance and plan to simply enjoy the festivities;
traffic is gridlocked around the city moat for the entire three days.
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