When to go · Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai in April
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Feb–Apr (crop-burning smoke and poor air quality).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C) / 23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 8
- Crowds
- High
- Thailand overall
- Prices
- High
- Thailand overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Feb–Apr (crop-burning smoke and poor air quality).
Is another month better than April?
April is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- NovemberGreatInside Chiang Mai's best window: Nov–Jan (cooler and dry).
- DecemberGreatInside Chiang Mai's best window: Nov–Jan (cooler and dry).
- JanuaryGreatInside Chiang Mai's best window: Nov–Jan (cooler and dry).
- MayMixedOutside the best window (Nov–Jan (cooler and dry)). Across Thailand: Heat plus first rains; Andaman seas turn rough; the Gulf islands are the pick.
Weather in April
- Chiang MaiHighs around 37 °C (99 °F), lows around 23 °C (73 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 99 °F (37 °C), lows around 73 °F (23 °C), rain on about 8 days
- North, Thailand · Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Paismoke haze
Cool nights Dec–Jan; the burning season (Feb–Apr) puts air quality among the worst in Asia — check AQI before booking.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Songkran (Thai New Year) big impact
13–15 Apr · Thailand
Nationwide water fights; transport out of Bangkok sells out; many shops close; phones and passports need waterproof bags.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Thailand overall
- High
- Prices · Thailand overall
- High
Thailand overall: Hottest month; Songkran (13–15 Apr) soaks everyone and fills transport — plan around it or join in.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Chiang Mai, side by side.
Verdict
Apr: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Apr: 37 °C (99 °F)99 °F (37 °C)
Jan: 30 °C (86 °F)86 °F (30 °C)
Night low
Apr: 23 °C (73 °F)73 °F (23 °C)
Jan: 15 °C (59 °F)59 °F (15 °C)
Rain days
Apr: 8
Jan: 2 (better)
Crowds
Apr: High
Jan: High
Prices
Apr: High
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Apr: 1
Jan: 0
April: Listed as a month to avoid: Feb–Apr (crop-burning smoke and poor air quality).
January: Inside Chiang Mai's best window: Nov–Jan (cooler and dry).
Chiang Mai: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen