Thailand
Chiang Rai in December
🌤️ Cool seasonWarm and mostly dry.
🎒 Pack: sunglasses & hat
Why December scores 9.3What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort50%9.6
- ✓Warm (28°C highs / 15°C lows)
- ✓Slightly humid (dew point 15.6°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~21 mm rain)
- Air quality20%8.4
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~15 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards20%10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline10%8.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | Jan | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.3 Excellent | 9.1 Excellent |
| Season | 🌤️ Cool season | 🌤️ Cool season |
| High / low | 28° / 15° | 29° / 14° |
| Rain | 21 mm | 17 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 16° | dew pt 14° |
| PM2.5 | 15 µg/m³ | 23 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Chiang Rai weather-station normals. Rainfall: Chiang Rai weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's Birthday 5–7 Dec · 3 days off in a row
- New Year 31 Dec – 3 Jan · 4 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Constitution Day (10 Dec)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore Chiang RaiEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyChiang Rai is Thailand's northernmost province capital, known for its contemporary temples, mountain tea and coffee country and the Golden Triangle.
Chiang Rai Flower FestivalDate variesUsually December to January
A large cool-season display of flowers and garden installations.
Why go: Coincides with the coolest, clearest weather of the year.
Where: City centre
Coming up later
Songkran (Thai New Year)Every year13-15 April every year
Thai New Year water festival with Lanna-style temple rituals.
Why go: Expect to be splashed throughout the city.
Where: City centre and Clock Tower area
Loy KrathongDate variesFull moon of the 12th Thai lunar month, usually November; date moves each year
Krathong are floated on the river and lanterns released in Lanna style.
Why go: Lantern releases may be restricted near the airport; follow local rules.
Where: Kok River and temples in the city
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
An ornate white temple designed by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, south of the city.
💡 Arrive early to avoid tour buses; dress modestly.
Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)
A modern temple with a vivid blue and gold interior, close to the city centre.
Baan Dam Museum (Black House)
A compound of dark wooden buildings displaying the work and collections of artist Thawan Duchanee.
Golden Triangle
The point where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong, with the Hall of Opium museum nearby.
Doi Tung and Mae Fah Luang Gardengreat in Dec
A mountain royal project with landscaped gardens and the Princess Mother's former residence.
💡 Gardens are most colourful in the cool season.
Phu Chi Fagreat in Dec
A ridge on the Lao border famous for sunrise views over a sea of cloud.
💡 Clouds are most reliable in the cool season; it is cold before dawn.
Khao soi
Curry noodle soup with egg noodles, crispy noodles and pickled mustard greens.
💡 Noodle shops around the city
Khanom jeen nam ngiao
Rice noodles in a tomato and pork broth flavoured with dried cotton-tree flowers.
💡 Morning markets and noodle stalls
Sai ua
Northern Thai herb sausage with lemongrass, kaffir lime and chilli.
💡 Markets and the night bazaar
Nam phrik ong
A mild tomato-and-pork chilli dip served with vegetables and pork crackling.
💡 Northern Thai restaurants
Doi Mae Salong oolong tea
Tea grown in the Chinese-settled hill village of Mae Salong.
💡 Mae Salong tea shops and city markets
Doi Tung coffee and crafts
Coffee, textiles and ceramics made under the Doi Tung development project.
💡 Doi Tung shops
Hill tribe textiles
Embroidered and woven fabrics from Akha, Lahu and other hill communities.
💡 Chiang Rai Night Bazaar and Saturday Walking Street