Thailand
Chiang Mai in April
🔥 Hot seasonVery hot, a little humid and some showers. Watch for hazy air and smoke haze & extreme heat risk.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · N95 mask for hazy days · sunglasses & hat
Why April scores 6.6What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort50%6.6
- !Very hot (37°C highs / 23°C lows)
- ✓Slightly humid (dew point 17°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~54 mm rain)
- Air quality20%5.5
- !Elevated (PM2.5 ~36 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards20%7.0
- !Smoke haze: Burning-season smoke; PM2.5 averages ~50 µg/m³ in Feb, ~81 in Mar, ~58 in Apr (Pollution Control Dept stations, 2011–2020)
- !Extreme heat: Average daily high 37°C
- Safety baseline10%8.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Apr | Jan | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.6 Good | 8.8 Excellent |
| Season | 🔥 Hot season | 🌤️ Cool season |
| High / low | 37° / 23° | 30° / 16° |
| Rain | 54 mm | 11 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 17° | dew pt 14° |
| PM2.5 | 36 µg/m³ | 32 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Chiang Mai weather-station normals. Rainfall: Chiang Mai weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsApril 2027
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Songkran Festival 13–15 Apr · 3 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Chakri Memorial Day (6 Apr)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore Chiang MaiEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyNorthern Thailand's cultural hub, known for hundreds of temples, a walled old city, night markets, mountain scenery and northern Thai food.
SongkranEvery year13–15 April every year
Thai New Year, celebrated with huge street water fights.
Why go: Expect to get soaked; protect phones and cameras.
Where: Citywide, especially around the moat
Coming up later
Yi Peng and Loy KrathongDate variesLunar calendar — full moon of the 12th Thai month, usually November
Lantern releases, floating krathongs and candlelit temples.
Why go: Hotels book up early; lantern release is restricted to designated events.
Where: Citywide, especially the Ping River and Tha Phae Gate
Chiang Mai Flower FestivalDate variesUsually the first weekend of February
Flower displays and a parade of flower-covered floats.
Why go: Free to attend.
Where: Suan Buak Haad park and city streets
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
A golden mountaintop temple overlooking the city.
💡 Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.
Old City temples
Temples within the moat, including Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh.
Sunday Walking Street
A large weekly market along Ratchadamnoen Road in the Old City.
Doi Inthanon National Park
Thailand's highest mountain, with waterfalls and twin royal pagodas.
💡 Smoke from agricultural burning often reduces visibility and air quality from around February to April.
Elephant sanctuaries
Places to observe elephants in the surrounding hills.
💡 Choose places that do not offer riding or performances.
Nimmanhaemin Road
A modern area of cafés, shops and restaurants.
Khao soi
Curry noodle soup with crispy noodles on top, a northern speciality.
Sai oua
Herby northern Thai grilled sausage.
Nam prik noom
Roasted green chilli dip served with vegetables and pork crackling.
Gaeng hang lay
A Burmese-influenced pork curry.
Bo Sang umbrellas
Hand-painted paper and cotton umbrellas.
💡 Bo Sang village near San Kamphaeng
Silverware
Handmade silver bowls and jewellery.
💡 Wualai Road
Textiles
Hand-woven cotton and hill-tribe embroidery.
💡 Night markets and craft shops
Northern Thai coffee
Coffee grown in the surrounding hills.
💡 Cafés and markets