December is when Phuket’s dry season begins and its high season fills up. Below are the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) normals for both island stations, TMD’s outlook for December 2026, the parks and trips that suit the month, events and how busy it gets. Checked on 27 October 2026.
Phuket weather in December: TMD numbers
These are 1991-2020 normals. The Phuket station is in Phuket Town in the southeast of the island, Phuket Airport is in the northwest.
| December | Phuket Town (48 564) | Phuket Airport (48 565) |
|---|---|---|
| Average high | 32.1 °C | 31.3 °C |
| Average low | 25.0 °C | 23.1 °C |
| Rainfall | 82.0 mm | 86.4 mm |
| Rainy days (0.1 mm or more) | 10.3 | 10.7 |
| Days with thunderstorms | 1.8 | 2.3 |
| Humidity | 75% | 79% |
| Prevailing wind | northeast | east |
For comparison at the town station: November 178.2 mm, January 49.9 mm, February 24.0 mm. December has under half of November’s rain, and its thunderstorm days drop from 4.8 to 1.8. All months are on Phuket weather by month.
A rainy day in TMD tables means at least 0.1 mm, so ten “rainy days” in December usually means ten short showers, not ten lost days.
TMD outlook for December 2026
From TMD’s cool season outlook issued on 9 October 2026 (no update had appeared by 27 October):
- Andaman coast in December: minimum temperatures of 24-26 °C, rain over 10-20% of the area
- Andaman Sea waves of 1-2 m through the cool season
- In November and December, low-pressure systems may become tropical storms passing near the Gulf of Thailand and the south, with heavy rain and the strongest waves, 4-5 m in places, in the Gulf
- TMD expects El Niño to strengthen by the end of 2026, which may keep temperatures above normal
This is a long-range outlook. For your dates, check the TMD forecast a few days ahead.
Sea and beaches in December
The monsoon swell that closes west coast beaches comes with the southwest wind, from May to October. In December both TMD stations record the wind from the northeast or east, so it blows off the land at Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala, Surin and Bang Tao. December is the first month when you can usually swim in front of a west coast hotel without hunting for a sheltered bay.
- The flag still comes first: rip currents can form with small waves, see red flag and rip currents
- Beaches by area and type of holiday: which Phuket beach to choose
- With children: Phuket with kids
What’s open in December
| Place | Status in December 2026 | Foreign adult fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Similan Islands | open: season 15 October-15 May | THB 500 | DNP |
| Surin Islands | open: annual closure 16 May-14 October | THB 500 | DNP |
| Maya Bay, Phi Phi | open | THB 400 | DNP |
| Phang Nga Bay | open | THB 300 | DNP |
| Khao Sok: Nam Thalu cave | open from 1 December, annual closure 1 June-30 November | THB 200 for the park | DNP |
Closure periods come from the DNP closure table (data as of 7 January 2026), fees from the DNP table for individuals (2 June 2023), children pay half. DNP also lists several Similan dive sites and Ko Tachai as closed indefinitely.
Which trips suit December
December is good for the long sea trips that are a gamble in autumn:
- Similans and Surin. The calmer part of the park season. Both are long crossings, so book a few days ahead and expect full boats around the holidays
- Phi Phi and Maya Bay. The classic day trip, see Phi Phi from Phuket and the quieter private boat option
- Phang Nga Bay. James Bond Island or a sea canoe through the caves
- Short half days. Racha Islands, Coral Island or Khai Islands with children
- Khao Sok. The Nam Thalu cave trail reopens on 1 December
- Evenings. A sunset cruise or Promthep Cape
Prices for the main trips are compared on how much Phuket tours cost.
Events in December 2026
| Event | Date | Where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDC Thailand | 18-20 December, 15:00-24:00 | Rhythm Park, Phuket | EDC Thailand |
| New Year’s Day | Friday 1 January 2027, public holiday | nationwide | Bank of Thailand |
EDC Thailand is a large electronic music festival: if your dates overlap, book rooms and transfers early. National holidays in December, from Father’s Day on 5 December to New Year’s Eve, are listed in Thailand in December. As of 27 October TAT and Phuket’s municipalities had not published New Year countdown programmes for 2026.
Crowds and hotel occupancy
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS), Phuket hotel occupancy was 84.10% in December 2025, second only to January (86.41%) and well above November (78.62%). The island received 1,091,792 foreign visitors in December 2025, the most of any month that year. TAT’s advice for the Andaman coast this season is to book ferries and island accommodation early for December and January. We do not publish hotel rates until we collect our own dated measurements.
Getting to Phuket in December
Winter seasonal flights are running. TAT reports that Belavia flies Minsk-Phuket twice a week from 29 October and Virgin Atlantic flies London Heathrow-Phuket three times a week until 26 March 2027, and that British Airways, TUI and Norse Atlantic run seasonal services from London Gatwick and Manchester to Bangkok and Phuket. From Bangkok see Bangkok to Phuket, and from the airport to your hotel, Phuket Airport.
Should you go to Phuket in December?
Go if:
- you want dry weather and a calm west coast sea
- you plan long island trips: Similans, Surin, Phi Phi
- you are travelling with children and want to swim in front of the hotel
Consider another month if:
- you dislike crowds and holiday rates: November is quieter, with more rain
- your dates are fixed around Christmas and New Year and you have not booked yet
If you were thinking of Koh Samui for December, its rainy season is still going: Koh Samui in December. The whole country is in Thailand in December, the next month in Phuket in January, and all months on when to go to Phuket.
FAQ
What is the weather like in Phuket in December?
Dry, hot and sunnier than in autumn. TMD 1991-2020 normals give Phuket Town highs of 32.1 °C, lows of 25.0 °C and 82.0 mm of rain on 10.3 days, with thunderstorms on 1.8 days. Humidity drops to 75% from 79% in November. TMD counts any day with 0.1 mm as rainy, so many of those days are a single shower.
Is the sea calm in Phuket in December?
On most days, yes. Both TMD stations record a prevailing northeast or east wind, which blows off the land onto the west coast beaches. TMD's outlook still gives 1-2 m waves in the Andaman Sea through the cool season, and a passing storm can raise a red flag, so check the flag before you swim.
Is Phuket crowded at Christmas and New Year?
December is one of the two busiest months. MOTS reports hotel occupancy of 84.10% in December 2025 and 86.41% in January, against 78.62% in November. TAT advises booking ferries and island accommodation early for December and January.
Can you visit the Similan Islands in December?
Yes. The park is open from 15 October to 15 May every year (DNP), and December is inside the calmer part of the season. The foreign adult fee is THB 500 and THB 250 for a child. A few dive sites and Ko Tachai are closed indefinitely under the DNP closure table.
Is there a chance of storms in Phuket in December?
TMD's 2026-2027 outlook warns that in November and December low-pressure systems may become tropical storms passing near the Gulf of Thailand and the south. TMD expects the strongest waves, up to 4-5 m in places, in the Gulf, the side of Samui. Check TMD warnings before boat trips.
Is Phuket or Koh Samui better in December?
Phuket, if you want dry weather. TMD normals give Samui 263.1 mm of rain on 14.2 days in December, three times Phuket's 82.0 mm, and Ang Thong Marine Park near Samui only reopens on 16 December.
Sources
- TMD. Climatological Data of Thailand for 30 Year Period (1991-2020), Phuket (48 564) and Phuket Airport (48 565), printed pp. 82-83
- TMD. Cool season outlook for Thailand 2026-2027, issued 9 October 2026 (Thai)
- TMD. Seasonal forecasts page
- DNP. Mu Ko Similan National Park: open 15 October-15 May every year (Thai)
- DNP. Opening and closing of tourism in national parks (closure table, data as of 7 January 2026)
- DNP. Entrance fees for individuals (CSV, edition of 2 June 2023)
- TAT Newsroom. The Andaman opens its doors again (20 October 2026)
- MOTS. Tourism statistics by province 2025, monthly sheets (xlsx)
- EDC Thailand 2026. Hours and info
- Bank of Thailand. Notification No. 37/2569, holidays for 2027 (unofficial English translation)
- TAT Newsroom. Virgin Atlantic inaugural London Heathrow-Phuket flight (19 October 2026)
- TAT Newsroom. Belavia Minsk-Bangkok flight ahead of the Phuket route launch (26 October 2026)
Found an error or outdated fact? Tell the editors, we will fix it and update the check date.