Thailand in November 2026: Where It Rains, Loy Krathong and Staying Online
November splits Thailand in two: the north turns cool and dry while the Gulf islands get their wettest weeks. Weather by region, Loy Krathong 2026, entry rules, money and data.
Quick answer: November is one of the best months for northern and central Thailand: the Thai Meteorological Department says the cool season began in upper Thailand in the third week of October 2026, and Bangkok's showers fade by mid-November. The exception is the south, where heavy rain is forecast from Chumphon southward until early January and the Gulf islands are at their wettest. Loy Krathong falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026.
Key takeaways
- North and Bangkok are the safe bet: cool mornings in Chiang Mai, Bangkok showers easing from mid-November.
- The Gulf islands are the gamble: Koh Samui and Koh Phangan sit under the northeast monsoon, with cyclone risk in November and December.
- Loy Krathong is on 24 November 2026, with Chiang Mai's Yi Peng programme across 24 to 26 November.
- Entry changed in September: 30 days visa-free for tourists, not 60, and the free digital arrival card is still required.
You found a cheap flight to Koh Samui for the last week of November, and a friend in Bangkok asked why you picked the wettest weeks of the Gulf's year. That is November in Thailand: perfect in Chiang Mai, soggy on the east coast of the south. Here is where it rains, when Loy Krathong falls, what changed at immigration, and how to pay and stay online.
Where does it rain in Thailand in November, and where is it dry?
Thailand has two monsoon coasts, and November is when they swap: rain fades on the Andaman side and moves onto the Gulf side of the south, while the north and centre dry out and cool down.
| Region | November 2026 outlook | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| North (Chiang Mai, Pai) | Cool season since late October; lows of 10 to 12C in the highlands | Best month for most trips; bring a layer |
| Bangkok and the centre | Showers easing from mid-November | Mostly dry in the second half |
| Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) | Southwest monsoon fading, seas settling | Good for the second half |
| Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) | Heavy rain from Chumphon southward until early January | Book flexible; boats can be cancelled |
The Gulf risk is real: on 21 November 2025, 335 mm of rain fell on Hat Yai in one day, the city was declared a disaster zone, and more than 1,000 tourists were stranded while power and internet went down. For islands this month, Phuket and Krabi are the better bet.
When is Loy Krathong 2026, and where should you be that night?
Loy Krathong falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full-moon night of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. Some English-language calendars list 25 November, so if you are flying in for it, arrive by the 23rd and stay to the 26th.
- Chiang Mai: the city celebrates as Yi Peng. The published programme runs from 24 to 26 November, with candle trays around the old city, events at Tha Phae Gate and krathongs floated on the Ping River on the last night.
- Bangkok: locals float krathongs on the Chao Phraya, in park lakes such as Lumphini, and at temple ponds. It is a neighbourhood night, not a ticketed show.
Buy a banana-leaf krathong from a street seller that afternoon. Mass sky-lantern releases in Chiang Mai are ticketed private events, so check the official programme before you pay anyone for one.
What changed for entry to Thailand in 2026?
- The visa-free stay is now 30 days. Since 15 September 2026 tourists from 60 countries and territories get 30 days, tourism only, replacing the 60-day exemption.
- The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is still mandatory. File it free at tdac.immigration.go.th within three days before arrival; a site asking for a fee is not the official one.
What should you pack for a November trip that crosses regions?
- A light jacket for Chiang Mai mornings and the highlands.
- A rain shell and quick-dry clothes for anywhere south of Chumphon.
- Temple clothes that cover shoulders and knees, slip-off shoes, and a dry bag for boats.
Cash, cards or QR: how do visitors pay in Thailand?
Cards work in hotels, malls and chains; street food, songthaews and krathong sellers want cash. Thai ATMs charge foreign cards a flat fee per withdrawal, widely reported at about 220 baht, so withdraw less often and choose to be charged in baht.
The QR codes on every stall are PromptPay, built for Thai bank accounts, and most visitors cannot scan them. Our guide on PromptPay for foreigners covers the exceptions.
Will your phone work from Chiang Mai to the islands?
Buy and install a travel eSIM at home on Wi-Fi, keep your home SIM on for bank SMS, and switch the travel line on after landing. That matters in November, when a cancelled ferry means rebooking at a pier with no Wi-Fi.
The Fizen Thailand eSIM runs on TrueMove H, 4G and 5G (catalog checked 25 October 2026). The fixed plans are 3 GB for 3 days and 10 GB for 7 days, and the line stops once the data is used. The unlimited plans run from 3 to 30 days at a fixed 10 Mbps, which is plenty for maps, Grab, messaging and a standard-quality video call. Most plans cannot be topped up, and more data means installing a new eSIM, so for a two-week trip that mixes cities and islands, unlimited for 15 days is the size that does not run out halfway.
If a verified fault on Fizen's side stops the eSIM working, you get a free 1-for-1 replacement for the length of the trip, or a refund for the days you could not use, handled by a real person in chat. If plans change, an unused eSIM that is not installed yet can usually be taken back; eligibility depends on the plan, so check Package details or ask chat.
The honest alternative: tourist SIMs from AIS, TrueMove H and dtac are sold at counters in Bangkok's airports, registered to your passport. If you want a Thai phone number, for food delivery apps or a long stay, the local SIM is the better buy. New to the app? New users get US$10 of eSIM credit in the Fizen app's eSIM tab.
With that sorted, the November trip looks simple: lantern night in Chiang Mai with the map working in the crowd, and a rebooked ferry confirmed on the pier while the rain passes.
Frequently asked questions
Is November a good time to visit Thailand?
Yes for the north, Bangkok and the Andaman coast, which are cooler and drier. The Gulf islands and the deep south are in their wettest stretch, with heavy rain forecast from Chumphon southward until early January 2027.
What date is Loy Krathong in 2026?
Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month. Chiang Mai's Yi Peng events run across 24 to 26 November.
Is Koh Samui worth it in November?
Only if your dates are flexible. November is usually Koh Samui's wettest month under the northeast monsoon. Phuket and Krabi are the safer island choice.
How long can I stay in Thailand without a visa in 2026?
Since 15 September 2026, up to 30 days for tourism, for passport holders of 60 countries and territories. Check your nationality with Thai immigration before you book a longer trip.
Do I still need the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
Yes. All non-Thai nationals file the free TDAC at tdac.immigration.go.th within three days before arrival and show the confirmation at immigration.
Land in Thailand with data already on
Install the Thailand eSIM at home on Wi-Fi and switch it on after landing. TrueMove H, 4G and 5G. Paying in USDT? Use the Fizen app instead.
Terms and conditions
- Information only. This article is information only. It is not an offer or a sale, and it is not travel, legal or financial advice. Weather, festival and entry details come from the sources listed and can change; check official notices before you travel.
- For readers in the United States. This is information only, not an offer or sale, and not advice. Fizen products and services are not offered to US Persons.
- Data-only product. The eSIM is data only. It does not include a phone number or SMS. Most plans cannot be topped up (more data means a new eSIM), so size it for the whole trip.
- Facts and availability. Carrier, plan sizes and speed were checked in the Fizen catalog on 25 October 2026. The shop page carries current plans and prices.
Sources
- The Star (The Nation/ANN), TMD cool season outlook, 15 October 2026
- TTG Asia, Thailand cuts visa-free stay to 30 days, 8 September 2026
- Royal Thai Embassy, Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
- OFM, Loy Krathong 2569 date (Thai)
- UME Travel, Chiang Mai Loy Krathong and Yi Peng programme
- Gulf News, Hat Yai floods and stranded tourists, 25 November 2025
Weather outlook, entry rules, festival dates and eSIM catalog details checked on 25 October 2026.
