Weather

 
The Thais divide the year into three seasons: the cool season, hot season, and rainy season. For most westerners, this translates to "hot," "really hot," and "really hot and wet." Temperatures rarely drop below 25° C (70° F), although in the higher elevations around Kanchanaburi there can be some 'cold' nights in December and January. See the box at right for current conditions.

Historical Weather Patterns for Kanchanaburi

The rainy season, which coincides with the European and North American summers, is not an entirely bad time to visit. The rain cools down the temperatures a bit and cleans the air quite nicely. With the high temperatures, the rain is not exactly cold. Sometimes it can be like a warm shower. However, some tourist businesses around Kanchanaburi do shut down for part of the rainy season, closing by early June and re-opening in October.

The cool season runs from December to March, although there's usually just one week in December when temperatures are actually comfortable. The heat starts to increase soon after the new year and by April or May it can be almost unbearably hot and humid. During the rainy season the downpours can be extremely heavy, but generally only last for an hour or so in the afternoon.