In October the southwest monsoon rains end across most of Thailand, while on the Gulf side of the south they are just building. Below are Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) normals for eight stations, TMD’s 2026-2027 outlook, what the sea is like and the festivals in October 2026. Checked on 17 October 2026.
October weather by region: TMD normals
These are 1991-2020 normals from the TMD report; the Krabi station (48 563) has a shorter 1994-2020 record. A rainy day means 0.1 mm or more. Khao Lak uses the nearest TMD station, Takua Pa (individual beaches may differ), Pattaya the Phatthaya station, Koh Samui the Ko Samui station.
| Region, TMD station | High, °C | Low, °C | Rain, mm | Rainy days | Hotel occupancy Oct 2025, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phuket (Phuket) | 31.8 | 24.9 | 336.0 | 22.7 | 77.64 |
| Khao Lak (nearest station Takua Pa) | 31.1 | 23.5 | 529.4 | 24.1 | 78.60 (Phang Nga) |
| Krabi (Krabi, 1994-2020) | 31.4 | 22.1 | 292.9 | 20.6 | 67.17 |
| Koh Samui (Ko Samui) | 30.6 | 24.3 | 294.9 | 19.3 | 70.84 (Surat Thani) |
| Pattaya (Phatthaya) | 30.9 | 24.7 | 224.5 | 17.0 | 75.70 (Chon Buri) |
| Hua Hin (Hua Hin) | 31.0 | 24.8 | 250.4 | 15.8 | 64.63 (Prachuap Khiri Khan) |
| Bangkok (Bangkok Metropolis) | 33.0 | 25.2 | 288.7 | 17.0 | 77.21 |
| Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai) | 31.7 | 22.6 | 123.8 | 11.8 | 75.95 |
Hotel occupancy from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) is by province, not by resort: Koh Samui is in Surat Thani province, Pattaya in Chon Buri.
TMD seasons: why October is a transition month
TMD describes three seasons: cool (northeast monsoon, October-February), hot (February-May) and rainy (southwest monsoon, May-October). October belongs to two of them. TMD splits the south into two coasts: the western Andaman coast gets its rain in the southwest monsoon, the eastern Gulf coast in the northeast monsoon. That is why Phuket’s rains are ending in October while Samui’s main wet period is starting.
TMD’s cool season outlook, issued on 9 October 2026:
- in the north and centre the cool season should start around the third week of October 2026, a week later than average, and last until mid-February 2027
- from mid-October to mid-November, thunderstorms over 30-50% of the Andaman coast and 1-2 m waves
- on the Gulf side of the south, from Chumphon southwards, heavy rain over 60-80% of the area and 2-4 m waves from mid-October to early January
- in Bangkok and the east (Pattaya), thunderstorms over 20-30% of the area from mid-October to mid-November
- flash floods are still possible in October in the centre, east and upper south
It is a long-range outlook, and TMD will update it in the last week of October.
Where to go in October
The north (Chiang Mai). The driest region in October: 124 mm on 11.8 days, with lows of 22.6 °C. Good for cities, temples and nature, without the sea.
The Andaman Sea (Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak). Still plenty of rain and waves on west-facing beaches. On the plus side, November is half as wet and the Similan Islands reopen on 15 October (DNP). Details in Phuket in October.
The eastern Gulf (Pattaya, Hua Hin). October is the wettest month of the year for both, but they get less rain than Phuket and turn dry quickly in November. Details in Pattaya in October.
Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao. 295 mm in October at the Samui station and 445 mm in November. TMD has no normals for Phangan or Tao, so Samui is the nearest reference. These islands are drier from February to April: Samui gets 64 mm on 5.6 days in February.
Bangkok. Still rainy (289 mm), but the city works in any weather.
Festivals and events in October 2026
| Event | 2026 dates | Where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetarian Festival | 10-18 October | Phuket, Bangkok, Nakhon Sawan, Mae Sot and others | TAT |
| Royal Barge Procession full-dress rehearsals | 21 and 28 October | Bangkok, Chao Phraya River | TAT |
| End of Buddhist Lent (Ok Phansa), illuminated boat procession | 16-27 October, main day 26 October | Nakhon Phanom | TAT |
| Wax Castle Procession and long boat races | 20-26 October | Sakon Nakhon | TAT |
The Royal Barge Procession itself takes place on 6 November 2026, see Thailand in November.
Should you go to Thailand in October?
Go if you are heading for the cities and the north, can live with short showers at the beach and want to catch the Vegetarian Festival. Move to November-March if you need dry weather and a calm sea every day. How beaches in each region change through the year is covered in Thailand beaches.
FAQ
Where is the best place to go in Thailand in October?
For dry weather, the north: Chiang Mai gets 124 mm on 11.8 days by TMD normals. Among beach areas Hua Hin (250 mm, 15.8 days) and Pattaya (225 mm, 17 days) get less rain, though October is their wettest month. Phuket and Krabi get 290-336 mm, but the Similans reopen in mid-October.
Is October a good time for a beach holiday in Thailand?
It can be if you do not expect a perfect sea every day. TMD beach stations record 15.8 to 24.1 rainy days in October, but many are short showers because a rainy day starts at 0.1 mm. The Andaman coast can still have waves, 1-2 m in TMD's outlook.
When does the rainy season end in Thailand?
TMD describes the southwest monsoon as blowing from May to October and the northeast monsoon from October. In 2026 TMD expects the cool season in the north and centre to start around the third week of October, a week later than average. On the Gulf side of the south (Koh Samui) heavy rain continues until December or early January.
Koh Samui or Phuket in October?
TMD normals are similar: Samui 295 mm on 19.3 days, Phuket 336 mm on 22.7 days. The difference is what comes next: Phuket gets half the rain in November, while Samui peaks at 445 mm. For late October, Phuket is the safer bet.
What festivals are in Thailand in October 2026?
The Vegetarian Festival runs 10-18 October in Phuket, Bangkok and other cities, and the end of Buddhist Lent (Ok Phansa) is on 26 October. Bangkok hosts full-dress rehearsals of the Royal Barge Procession on 21 and 28 October. All dates are from TAT announcements.
Sources
- TMD. Climatological Data for the Period 1991-2020 (stations 48 327, 48 455, 48 461, 48 475, 48 550, 48 561, 48 563, 48 564)
- TMD. Cool season outlook 2026-2027 (issued 9 October 2026)
- TMD. Thailand's seasons and climate, PDF pp. 2, 4, 6
- MOTS. Tourism statistics by province 2025 (xlsx)
- DNP. Mu Ko Similan National Park
- TAT. Thailand celebrates Vegetarian Festival 2026 across the country
- TAT. Nakhon Phanom Illuminated Boat Procession 2026
- TAT. Royal Barge Procession 2026 and rehearsals
- TAT. October event and calendar 2026
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