Is December a good time to visit The Land of Smiles? Thailand December events include a rare procession of barges down Bangkok’s majestic Chao Phraya River. Plus: a sailing regatta, a night marathon, and more. As for weather, temperatures are mild and skies are clear.
Thailand December Weather
In terms of weather, December is the coolest month of the year in Thailand. But keep in mind that this is the tropics, and what is considered “cool” in Thailand would still be considered “hot” in more temperate climates.
While the average high in Bangkok in December is 31 degrees Celsius, or 88 degrees Fahrenheit, the average low is 21 degrees Celsius, or 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
In fact, Bangkok enjoys a daily average of nine hours of sunshine in December. Usually, there are about two rainy days. Expect an average of 10 millimeters of rainfall during the month.
As for the humidity, the average is a relatively comfortable 62%. And the average sea temperature is 28 degrees Celsius, or 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter runs from mid-November to mid-March. For many tourists, it is the best time to visit Thailand. Therefore, winter is the peak tourist season in the Land of Smiles. As a result, hotel room bargains are harder to find.
Best Thailand December Events
Other events taking place in Thailand in December include a flower festival, a jet ski competition, an outdoor rock concert, a marathon – the list goes on.
However, keep in mind that dates in Thailand often change. And sometimes events are cancelled at the last minute.
Therefore, you might want to check with tourism authorities before booking your hotel room. Better safe than sorry!
More events will be added during the month as new information becomes available.
In This Post
World of Happiness – Throughout December 2023
The World of Happiness Christmas display at CentralWorld Shopping Complex in Bangkok, Thailand, will be on display from late November to early January..
Covering 4,000 square metres, the display has a theme of “The Santa Kingdom and the Quest of the Star”.
The festive display features Christmas decorations and cartoon characters. Highlights this year include a 35-metre-tall Christmas tree decorated with more than two million lights.
here will also be a five-metre-tall sculpture of Santa Claus and a 10-metre Pandora Magical Fountain decorated with white and blue crystal lights.
The light and sound show is held every 30 minutes from 6 pm to 11 pm. A Christmas carol singing contest rounds out the programme.
- Location: CentralOne Shopping Complex, Bangkok, Thailand.
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta – 2 to 9 December 2023
The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is the largest sailing event of its type in Asia, attracting enthusiasts from around the world. And there will be dinghy classes and five days of racing.
- Location: Phuket, Thailand.
Suan Luang Rama IX Flowers Festival – 1 to 10 December 2023
The Suan Luang Rama IX Flowers Festival is one of the largest and most beautiful flower festivals in Thailand. Many different kinds of plants will be on display.
But there is more for visitors than a chance to view beautiful blooms. You will also be also to purchase flowers, other kinds of plants, and gardening tools.
There will be cultural performances from the four regions of Thailand, and ornamental plants contests will be held. Also, food, beverages, arts and crafts, and souvenirs will be on sale at a floating market.
- Location: Suan Luang Rama IX Park, Bangkok, Thailand.
Rak Ao Luk Cultural Festival – 2 to 7 December 2023
The Rak Ao Luk Cultural Festival is a celebration of the cultural diversity of this fascinating district in Southern Thailand.
Each day during the five day festival will have a different theme.
Buddhists, Chinese, Muslims, and others will wear traditional garb. There will be exhibitions and cultural performances. Stalls will sell local foods and ethnic crafts.
- Location: Rak Ao Luk, Krabi, Thailand.
King Rama IX Birthday – 5 December 2023
In most countries Father Day falls in June. One of the exceptions is Thailand, where Father’s Day falls in December.
In addition, Thailand is the only country in the world where Father’s Day is an official holiday.
That is because Father’s Day in Thailand falls on the birthday of Bhumibol Adulyadej (5 December 1927 – 13 October 2016), who was conferred with the title King Bhumibol the Great in 1987.
For this reason, Father’s Day is also called King’s Birthday.
- Location: Nationwide.
Overcoat Music Festival – 7 December 2023
Nont Tanont, Two Poetorn, Slot Machine, Jetset’er, Mild Boy Peacemaker, Lomosonic, Aof Pongsak, Pop Pongkool, Actart, Da Endorphine, the Toys, Zeal, Boom Boom Bash x Paam will beform at this year’s Overcoat Music Festival.
- Location: Jolly Land Starlight Ampitheatr – Khaem Son, Khao Kho, Petchaburi, Thailand.
Red Cross Fair – 8 to 18 December 2023
The Red Cross Fair celebrated its Centennial in 2023 with stage performances, games with prizes. raffle draws, and countless booths vending food and products.
The fair runs daily in Lumpini Park, Bangkok’s green lung, from 11 am to 10 pm. My advice is to go after dark, when the temps have moderated and live bands take to the stages!
- Location: Lumpini Park, Bangkok, Thailand.
River Kwai Bridge Week – 8 to 17 December 2023
This event takes you back in time to World War II through the River Kwai Bridge build by Allied prisoners-of-war.
To clarify, the Kanchanaburi Bridge was the part of the Death Railway that spanned the River Kwai.
The annual River Kwai Bridge Week and Kanchanaburi Red Cross Fair features two nightly light-and-sound shows telling the stories of World War II.
And it honours the prisoners of war and Asian labourers who built the infamous Death Railway, the Bridge on the River Kwai, and the Hellfire Pass. The event is held at the same time as the Kanchanaburi Red Cross Fair. And there is shopping, entertainment, exhibitions of local products, and a mini motor show.
- Location: River Kwai Bridge, Kanchanaburi province, Thailand.
- Check Kanchanaburi hotel rates and availability.
Constitution Day – 10 and 11 December 2023
On this day, Thailand transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Therefore, Thai’s express their gratitude to the king, who gave them the chance to take part in the governance of the country. Because it falls on a Sunday, 11 December will be man official holiday in 2023.
- Location: Nationwide.
Jet Ski World Cup Championship – 13 to 17 December 2023
Jet ski riders from more than 40 countries will compete in the Jet Ski World Cup.
- Location: Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand.
Nanglen Music Fest – 16 December 2023
The text edition of the Nanglen Music Fest will feature various bands.
- Location: Thongsomboon Club, Nakhon Ratchasime Province, Thailand
Chiang Mai Marathon – 17 December 2023
The 14th annual Chiang Mai Marathon will take running enthusiasts along a scenic route full of natural spots, historic sites, traditional art, cultural relics, local customs, and colourful festivals.
The full marathon will follow a 42,199 kilometre course and begin at 3 am. The cut-off time is 10 am.
However, shorter events will commence at 4 am and 5 am. A 3 kilometre “smile and kids” run stats at 5.20 am.
Not only that, the route is flat, and the temperature is expected to range between 12 and 20 degrees Celsius.
- Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Christmas – 25 December 2023
As a predominately Buddhist country, Thailand does not celebrate Christmas as an official holiday. However, unofficially, Christmas has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Nowhere is this more apparent than at the country’s upscale shopping malls and five star hotels. Expect lavish decorations and special menus.
- Location: Nationwide.
Full Moon Party – 15 and 31 December 2024
Full Moon Party at Haad Rin Sunris Beach on Koh Phangan, an island near Koh Samui. Photo Credit: Per Meistrup.
The Full Moon Party is held on the beach of Haad Rin every month on the night of the full moon.
DJs play a variety of musical styles including trance, dubstep, reggae, and techno. Jugglers, fire-eaters, and fireworks add drama to the all-night event.
Haad Rin is crescent shaped beach located on the island of Ko Pha Ngan. It can be reached by boat from Koh Samui, an island off the coast of Southern Thailand.
Koh Samui is 293 miles (471 kilometres) south of Bangkok. Because the drive takes nearly 10 hours, air travel is recommended,. The flight takes just over one hour.
Neon Countdown Music Festival – 29 to 31 December 2023
Be a part lof the ultimate countdown festival at the Neon Countdown Music Festival, which will feature a host of domestic and international DJs.
Location: Wonder World Extreme Park, Bangkok, Thailand.
New Year’s – 30 December 2023 to 1 January 2024
Phatthalung province is one of the many spots around Thailand that will celebrate the New Year with a spectacular countdown party.
About 6,000 VIPs are expected to attend the Amazing Thailand Countdown at the Coliseum Intersection in Phatthalung province on 30 and 31 December. It will begin both days at 4 pm and continue until midnight.
There will be laser projections of provincial landmarks, illumination tunnels, and fireworks displays.
Other festival highlights will include concerts, traditional ‘golden mortar’ circle dance activities, lucky draws , games, and cooking demonstrations of local delicacies.
There will also be a fair with 30 shops and stalls selling local handicrafts and Thai cuisine dishes.
Similar celebrations will be held in Sukhothai, Kalasin, Lop Buri, Ratchaburi, and Sa Kaeo.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are generally official holiday in Thailand. However, this year, the day before New Year’s Eve will also a public holiday. Therefore, Thais will have a rare five-day weekend.
December 30 was not a public holiday last year, and it will not be a public holiday next year.
- Location: Nationwide.
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