REASONS TO VISIT THAILAND DURING THE OFF-PEAK SEASON

There is a significant reason people plan to visit Thailand in high season: the weather is perfect! If you expect warm sunshine, clear blue sky and no annoyance of rainfall, then it’s worth spending more money (and facing huge crowds) to see Thailand during the high season. Thailand’s weather in the off-peak season may be less than ideal, since you will experience some rain and cloudy days.

Wat Pho, Bangkok, credit: Taylor Simpson

However, don’t jump to the conclusion that travelling in low seasons is not recommended. If you take some time to study the basic precautions and know how to plan your trip around uncertain weather, travelling in low season might have some benefits that you never thought of.

When is the high and low season in Thailand?

High season in Thailand is often hot and dry, and it starts around the end of October until mid-April. During this time, millions of tourists from all around the world set foot into Thailand. From June until the end of September, the weather tends to be more humid and rainfall rates are higher.

It’s way cheaper

Credit: Mirco Bazzani on Unsplash

If you are travelling on a budget, low season is the golden time for you. It’s when the airlines and tour groups drop their prices significantly. Booking flights in a low season might save you as much as half of that you would spend when booking in other periods. Accommodations also tend to be cheaper, hotels are less crowded and often you’ll be presented with a nice deal. Especially in tourist areas, you may find the price drastically cheaper.

All these benefits add up so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest while not breaking your wallet!

Flexible plan

Speaking of accommodations, hotels are very likely to have a room in low season. Buses, trains, and domestic airlines are often available most of the time so you need no more than a few hours in advance to arrange those transportation. With all these factors combined, it’s a lot easier for you to make the schedule, as there’s no need to plan ahead for several months and risk of any changes if anything unexpected happens. If you have a tight work schedule throughout the year, consider travelling in a low season – the flexibility can help you a lot.

Less tourists around

Credit: Pim Chu on Unsplash

For those who prefer simple, relaxing holidays more than flashy ones, travel in the low season is the way to go. There will be tourists around, yes, but definitely not the same amount you’d see during peak months. The beach won’t be swarmed by the crowd, you can lay your back, relax and enjoy the spectacular view of Thailand’s beach as if it’s only for you! Besides, the queue for popular tourist attractions are significantly shorter this season, and a visit to four or five tourist destinations can probably fit in your day schedule, during this time of the year. One more thing, you don’t need to fight your way to make it to the top-listed restaurants and bars too, since they have more availability and less crowds in the off-seasons.

Enjoy the festivals

Boat racing, Credit: click

Though there are less tourists in the off-peak season, locals are still busy, as well as events and festivals are always happening. You can experience plenty of local festivals which occur in the low season. Buddhist lent (July-October) and floral offering (July) are one of the best festivals in the low season if you’re keen to learn some Thai cultures. In August, you can experience many fruit festivals in many regions of Thailand. Don’t forget to try out some of those delicious tropical fruits. And in September there is a boat racing festival which you can have an amazing time watching those fast boaters!

Smaller tour groups

Khao Sok National Park, Thailand

Less people on a tour group means there will be less people requiring attention from the tour leader. Also, it means you can make deeper connections with the like-minded people in your group. You also have some one-on-one time to discuss with your tour leader and have more flexibility on which place you and the group desires to go. Besides, you have better opportunities for local experiences since guides are more likely to manage smaller groups in joining village visits and dining in local restaurants.

Shopping time with less crowd

The weather in low season may be unpredictable sometimes; rainfall often comes at random but can last for just a few hours. What about spending that time in shopping malls? If you’re vacationing in a shopping paradise like Bangkok, there are numerous malls that you can explore. As there will be less crowd in low seasons, you can expect a better service from most of the restaurants and shops, with more attention to you and your group.

Exciting experiences

There are a great deal of activities that you can participate without worrying about the weather condition. Some examples include learning to cook authentic dishes or desserts, take a Muay Thai class, or try dressing up in the Thai traditional costume in studios.

Boxing, Credit: click

In this rainy season, you’ll notice that the countryside with the lush, beautiful greenery looks amazing due to the heavy rainfall. It also causes the river to be in the perfect form for rafting. That to be said, river rafting is a really fun activity to participate during the low season for those who love extreme sports.

River rafting, credit: click

Other tips when travelling in low season:

  • You can find cheap umbrellas or raincoats at almost any convenient store so don’t worry about packing these items.
  • Waterproof backpack is really essential. You wouldn’t want your passport soaked up.
  • You might want to wear sandals most of the time, so bring one.
  • Mosquitos come out more than any other time of the year, don’t forget to pack your mosquito repellent or buy one when you arrive.
  • Spare more time on your schedule to compensate for any delays due to the rain.

We hope you’re now a bit more convinced by the above benefits of visiting Thailand in the off-peak season. In any case, Thailand is lovely all year round, and we dare you to see it for yourself whatever season you choose to come. See you on the next trip!