Season by season
Cool & dry season
November to February is dry and cool, with cold dawns on the high ground and clear days. Animals come more readily to water and salt licks, trails are leech-free and camping is at its best. Weekends and holidays are very busy.
Hot season
March to May is hot and dry. Waterfalls dwindle — Haew Narok may stop altogether — but wildlife concentrates near remaining water, and fruiting trees attract hornbills and gibbons. The first storms arrive in late April and May.
Rainy season & sea conditions
June to October is the wet season. The forest is intensely green, waterfalls roar and mist hangs in the valleys. Rain usually falls in afternoon bursts. Leeches are numerous and some trails close after heavy rain.
Month by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C | 17°C | 10 mm | Very busy |
| February | 32°C | 19°C | 20 mm | Busy |
| March | 34°C | 22°C | 40 mm | Busy |
| April | 35°C | 23°C | 80 mm | Busy |
| May | 33°C | 24°C | 150 mm | Quiet |
| June | 32°C | 24°C | 110 mm | Quiet |
| July | 32°C | 23°C | 120 mm | Quiet |
| August | 31°C | 23°C | 150 mm | Quiet |
| September | 31°C | 23°C | 250 mm | Quiet |
| October | 30°C | 22°C | 160 mm | Busy |
| November | 29°C | 20°C | 30 mm | Busy |
| December | 28°C | 17°C | 5 mm | Very busy |
Temperatures and rainfall are approximate long-term averages for the nearest weather station; individual years vary, and mountain areas are cooler than the figures shown.
Festivals & events
- April: Songkran brings holiday crowds from Bangkok to the park and the resorts around it.
- June–September: Peak waterfall season, and the time when hornbills gather in larger flocks after breeding.
- November–December: Cool-season camping and the start of the best months for wildlife watching.
- December–January: Flower fields, farm fairs and wine-harvest events in the countryside around Pak Chong.
Our advice
For wildlife and walking, choose a weekday between November and February. For waterfalls and atmosphere, come from July to October with leech socks and a rain jacket. Avoid long holiday weekends at any time of year. More in when to go to Thailand.
