Living & visas
Wintering in Thailand: Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin or Samui
Winter in Thailand only looks the same in adverts. In reality, in November it can rain almost every day on Samui, while Hua Hin gets a couple of showers in the whole of December. We compared four popular places using long-term Thai Meteorological Department data and added the practical side: visas, flights, housing.
In short
- From November to March Hua Hin and Pattaya get the least rain: about 13 and 17 rainy days over five months.
- Phuket and Samui get about 48 and 55 rainy days over the same months; on Samui the rain peaks in November and December.
- Visa-free entry is now 30 days, so a tourist visa or the DTV is easier for a winter stay.
Rain from November to March
Average number of rainy days, Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) normals for 1991 to 2020.
| Month | Pattaya | Hua Hin | Phuket | Samui |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 6 | 5 | 18 | 19 |
| December | 2 | 2 | 11 | 14 |
| January | 2–3 | 2 | 7 | 11 |
| February | 2–3 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| March | 5 | 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Total over 5 months | about 17 | about 13 | about 48 | about 55 |
Winter temperatures
| Place | Day, °C | Night, °C |
|---|---|---|
| Pattaya | 30–32 | 23–25 |
| Hua Hin | 30–32 | 23–25 |
| Phuket | 31–34 | 23–24 |
| Samui | 29–30 | 24–25 |
Ranges from TMD normals for November to March. It is warm everywhere; the difference is the rain and the character of the place.
Pattaya
A seaside city with big infrastructure: malls, hospitals, international schools, restaurants for every taste. Winters are dry, and quiet districts such as Jomtien and Pratumnak feel like a proper resort. Plus it is close to Bangkok and to U-Tapao airport, with domestic flights including to Phuket and Samui. More on districts in Where to live in Pattaya.
Hua Hin
The driest of the four in winter. A calm resort where families and long-stay winterers often go. Quieter than Pattaya, with less choice of entertainment.
Phuket
The country's largest island, with beautiful beaches and many areas. In winter it gets noticeably more rain than Pattaya, especially in November: the season here really starts closer to December. We help with housing on Phuket too, through partners; the two places are compared in Pattaya or Phuket.
Samui
An island in the Gulf of Thailand with a different weather rhythm: it is rainy from October to December, peaking in November. February and March suit a winter stay better.
Visas for the winter
From 15 September 2026 visa-free entry for Russia and Kazakhstan is 30 days, with an extension of up to 30 more in Thailand. For 2 to 3 months a 60-day tourist visa is easier, for half a year the DTV. Details in Thailand visa exemption in 2026 and The DTV and wintering.
Housing for 3 to 6 months
For a winter stay a long-term rental or your own condo works out better than a hotel. Many people who spend several winters in a row in one place end up buying a condo and renting it out the rest of the year. How to choose a district is covered in Where to live in Pattaya.
If you are thinking of a long life in Thailand
Buying a condo from 3 million ฿ gives the right to stay for up to a year, renewable, and property investments from $500,000 open the 10-year LTR. Conditions and current status are in A visa for buying property. Separately, some developers give buyers a Thailand Privilege membership. Natalia will tell you which developers offer this and on what terms.
FAQ
Where is best to winter in Thailand?
If you want less rain, Hua Hin and Pattaya: about 13 and 17 rainy days from November to March. Phuket and Samui get about 48 and 55 over the same months.
When is the rainy season on Samui?
On Samui it is rainy from October to December, peaking in November. February and March are better for a winter stay.
Which visa do I need to winter in Thailand?
Visa-free is now 30 days with an extension of up to 30 more. For 2 to 3 months a 60-day tourist visa is easier, for half a year the DTV.
Sources
- Thai Meteorological Department: climate normals 1991–2020, PDF
- U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport: domestic flights
- MFA Thailand: new visa exemption rules from 15.09.2026, PDF
This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Laws, fees and project terms change: before a deal we check the current conditions for the specific property.
