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Weather in Pai: the climate month by month

When to go to Pai, how hot it gets and when the rain comes: every month in detail, from the official climate averages of the Thai Meteorological Department, with my own advice on top.

Kylian DevBy Kylian Dev

  • Official 1991–2020 averages
  • 12 months in detail
  • Best time: November to April

In short

The best time to visit Pai is November to April, the driest period of the year. The rainy season runs from May to October, and the wettest month is August, with 258 mm of rain over about 21 days. Daytime highs range from 28.8°C in December to 38.9°C in April, and nights never drop below about 14.5°C on average.

At a glance

Rain and temperatures in Pai, month by month

Bars show average rainfall; figures above them are the average daytime high and night-time low.

Dry (under 100 mm)Some rain (100 to 200 mm)Rainy (over 200 mm)°/° °C · mm

Month by month

Climate table for Pai

Click a month to see what else happens in Thailand that month: festivals, crowds and the best regions.

MonthHighLowRainRainy daysHumidityVerdict
January29.8 °C14.5 °C11 mm176 %Dry
February33.3 °C14.7 °C6 mm166 %Dry
March36.9 °C18.2 °C19 mm157 %Dry
April38.9 °C22.9 °C60 mm456 %Dry
May36.3 °C23.9 °C169 mm1471 %Some rain
June33.6 °C24 °C180 mm1780 %Some rain
July32.4 °C23.7 °C226 mm2083 %Rainy
August32.1 °C23.5 °C258 mm2184 %Rainy
September32.9 °C23.3 °C200 mm1683 %Rainy
October32.7 °C22.2 °C117 mm1082 %Some rain
November31 °C19.4 °C40 mm380 %Dry
December28.8 °C16.2 °C11 mm179 %Dry

Total rainfall over the year: 1,297 mm.

Month by month

Pai in each month of the year

Pai in January

Dry

Average highs of 29.8°C and lows of 14.5°C, with 11 mm of rain over about 1 days. A dry month: one of the best times to go.

Pai in February

Dry

Average highs of 33.3°C and lows of 14.7°C, with 6 mm of rain over about 1 days. A dry month: one of the best times to go.

Pai in March

Dry

Average highs of 36.9°C and lows of 18.2°C, with 19 mm of rain over about 1 days. A dry month: one of the best times to go.

Pai in April

Dry

Average highs of 38.9°C and lows of 22.9°C, with 60 mm of rain over about 4 days. A dry month: one of the best times to go.

Pai in May

Some rain

Average highs of 36.3°C and lows of 23.9°C, with 169 mm of rain over about 14 days. Some showers, usually short: still a good month to go.

Pai in June

Some rain

Average highs of 33.6°C and lows of 24°C, with 180 mm of rain over about 17 days. Some showers, usually short: still a good month to go.

Pai in July

Rainy

Average highs of 32.4°C and lows of 23.7°C, with 226 mm of rain over about 20 days. A rainy month: expect a shower most days and keep plans flexible.

Pai in August

Rainy

Average highs of 32.1°C and lows of 23.5°C, with 258 mm of rain over about 21 days. A rainy month: expect a shower most days and keep plans flexible.

Pai in September

Rainy

Average highs of 32.9°C and lows of 23.3°C, with 200 mm of rain over about 16 days. A rainy month: expect a shower most days and keep plans flexible.

Pai in October

Some rain

Average highs of 32.7°C and lows of 22.2°C, with 117 mm of rain over about 10 days. Some showers, usually short: still a good month to go.

Pai in November

Dry

Average highs of 31°C and lows of 19.4°C, with 40 mm of rain over about 3 days. A dry month: one of the best times to go.

Pai in December

Dry

Average highs of 28.8°C and lows of 16.2°C, with 11 mm of rain over about 1 days. A dry month: one of the best times to go.

Seasons

The three things to know about the weather in Pai

Best time

November to April. Least rain of the year, calmer sea on the coast and lots of sunshine. It is also the high season: book early.

Rainy season

May to October. Rain usually comes as heavy showers, often in the afternoon or at night, rather than all day. Peak in August (258 mm).

Hottest month

April, with average highs of 38.9°C and high humidity. Plan outdoor visits early in the morning.

My advice

What the numbers don't say about Pai

Pai sits in a mountain valley, so it is cooler than the Mae Hong Son figures suggest at night: in December and January mornings can drop to 10°C or less, with thick fog over the valley. It is the best time, but also the busiest. The road from Chiang Mai (762 bends) is slippery in the rainy season: take the minivan rather than a scooter from June to October.

Pai
Pai

Where these figures come from

Monthly averages over 1991–2020 from the Mae Hong Son weather station of the Thai Meteorological Department, as published in the World Meteorological Organization climate normals. They describe a typical year, not a forecast: a given year can be wetter or drier.

There is no official weather station in Pai itself, so these are the figures of the nearest station, Mae Hong Son. Local conditions can differ slightly.

Data table (Wikipedia, WMO/TMD normals)
Everything about PaiThings to do, food, getting there and budget.Thailand month by monthCompare every region for the month you travel.Travelling in the rainy seasonWhere it rains less and how to plan around it.

FAQ

Weather in Pai: your questions

When is the best time to visit Pai?

November to April is the best time: it is the driest period of the year in Pai, with the most sunshine. It is also the busiest and most expensive season, so book early.

Where to stay in Pai
When is the rainy season in Pai?

The rainy season runs from May to October. The wettest month is August, with about 258 mm of rain over 21 days on average. Showers are heavy but often short: add a light rain jacket to your Thailand packing list.

What is the hottest month in Pai?

April is the hottest month, with average highs of 38.9°C. The most pleasant month for temperatures is December, with highs of 28.8°C.

Is it worth going to Pai in the rainy season?

Yes, if you stay flexible. Prices drop, there are fewer tourists and the scenery is green. Expect a shower most days, allow spare days for boat trips and get travel insurance that covers cancellations.

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