Thailand
Hat Yai in December
🌧️ Northeast monsoon rainsWarm, humid and very wet.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · compact umbrella or rain jacket · quick-dry fabrics
Why December scores 7.5What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort50%6.0
- ✓Warm (30°C highs / 23°C lows)
- !Very humid/sticky (dew point 23.9°C)
- !Wet: ~275 mm rain, ~8 heavy-rain days
- Air quality20%9.0
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~11 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards20%9.5
- !Flood: ~8 heavy-rain days in an average December
- Safety baseline10%8.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | Jan | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.5 Very good | 8.3 Very good |
| Season | 🌧️ Northeast monsoon rains | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 30° / 23° | 31° / 22° |
| Rain | 275 mm | 88 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 24° | dew pt 23° |
| PM2.5 | 11 µg/m³ | 14 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Hat Yai Airport weather-station normals. Rainfall: Hat Yai Airport 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 Hat YaiEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyHat Yai is the commercial hub of southern Thailand near the Malaysian border, known for shopping markets, street food and its multicultural Thai, Chinese and Malay character.
No major events on our calendar for December.
Coming up later
Chinese New YearDate variesLunar calendar — late January to mid-February, date moves each year
Hat Yai's large Chinese community celebrates with decorations, lion dances and shrine visits.
Why go: Many Chinese-owned shops close for a few days.
Where: City centre and Chinese shrines
Songkran (Thai New Year)Every year13-15 April every year
Hat Yai holds large street water celebrations that draw many visitors from Malaysia.
Why go: Hotels fill up fast; book early.
Where: City centre
Loy KrathongDate variesFull moon of the 12th Thai lunar month, usually November; date moves each year
Krathong are floated under the full moon.
Why go: A local celebration with evening crowds at waterside parks.
Where: Lakes and canals around the city
Hat Yai Municipal Park
A hilltop park with a large golden standing Buddha, Chinese shrine and views over the city, with a cable car.
Kim Yong Market
A busy central market for dried goods, snacks and imported items.
Khlong Hae Floating Market
A canal-side market where vendors sell food from boats.
💡 Runs in the late afternoon and evening, mainly at weekends.
Wat Hat Yai Nai
A temple with one of the largest reclining Buddha images in the south.
Samila Beach, Songkhla
A beach in nearby Songkhla town known for its bronze mermaid statue, about 30 to 40 minutes away.
Ton Nga Chang Waterfall
A multi-tiered waterfall in a wildlife sanctuary outside the city.
💡 Fullest during and after the rainy months.
Kai thot Hat Yai
Hat Yai-style fried chicken, crisp and topped with fried shallots, eaten with sticky rice.
💡 Street stalls across the city
Dim sum breakfast
Southern Chinese-style steamed dumplings and buns, a local morning tradition.
💡 Chinese tea houses in the city centre
Roti
Flaky griddled flatbread eaten with curry or sweet toppings.
💡 Muslim food stalls
Khanom jeen with southern curry
Rice noodles with spicy southern curries and fresh vegetables.
💡 Markets
Cashew nuts
Southern Thai cashews sold roasted and flavoured.
💡 Kim Yong Market
Dried seafood
Dried squid, fish and shrimp products.
💡 Kim Yong Market and Songkhla
Ko Yo woven cloth
Traditional patterned cotton woven on Ko Yo island in Songkhla Lake.
💡 Ko Yo village shops