March marks the beginning of Thailand’s summer, also known as the hot season. Muay Thai and elephants are in the spotlight in Thailand in March. Plus, some out-of-sight music festivals, religious holidays, a book fair, a flower show – the list goes on!
Last Updated: 24 December 2025
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Thailand March Weather
So how is the weather in Thailand in March? In fact, March in Thailand is a transition month. And it is considered the beginning of the “hot season”, which runs from March to June.
With an average high of 34 degrees Celsius, or 93 degrees Fahrenheit, and average lows dropping to 25 degrees Celsius, or 77 degrees Fahrenheit, March is slightly warmer than February.
March is not, however, as hot as April, which is the hottest month of the year in Bangkok and most other parts of Thailand. Bangkok enjoys a daily average of nine hours of sunshine in March.
There are about five rainy days, with an average of 50 millimeters of rain during the month. The average humidity is 70%.
March Events in Thailand
After Thai New Year, Thailand’s second most important domestic holiday is Makha Bucha, which falls in February or March. In addition, dozens of other events are scheduled throughout Thailand in March. Here are a few highlights of Thailand March events.
Makha Bucha – 3 March 2026
The second most important festival of the year in Thailand, Makha Bucha (also spelled Magha Puja) celebrates a gathering that was held in Northern India between the Buddha and 1,250 of his first disciples 10 months after his enlightenment. According to tradition …
- All of the disciples came without being summoned.
- All of them were enlightened.
- All of them were ordained by the Lord Buddha himself.
- It was the full-moon of the third lunar month.
Makha Bucha is a day during which lay people make merit by holding processions, lighting candles, and making offerings. Candlelight processions and other activities are held at most temples.
As a Buddhist holiday, the sale of alcohol is strictly prohibited during Makha Bucha. That means you can’t buy alcohol for a period of 24 hours! The third of February is also celebrated as Veteran’s Day in Thailand.
Future Dates
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2027 – 21 February (Sunday)
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2028 – 9 February (Wednesday)
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2029 – 27 February (Tuesday)
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2030 – 15 February (Friday)
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2031 – 4 February (Tuesday)
Full Moon Party – 3 March 2026
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.
Phanom Rung Light Phenomenon – 5 to 7 March 2026
At Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buriram, the rising sun aligns perfectly with all 15 doorways of the ancient Khmer temple, creating a breathtaking shaft of light through the sanctuary.
This rare event showcases the advanced astronomical knowledge of the temple’s builders more than a millennium ago.
Visitors gather at dawn to witness the spectacle, often accompanied by cultural performances and local festivities. Occurring only a few times each year, the March sunrise alignment is one of the most popular and most photographed.
Phanom Rung Historical Park, Buriram Province, northeastern Thailand.
Pattaya International Music Festival – 6–8 March 2026
One of Asia’s largest international beach music festivals, the Pattaya Music Festival features pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, and contemporary Thai music on multiple beachfront stages.
You can also expect fire shows, light installations, beach fireworks, street food, night markets, and a laid-back party atmosphere throughout.
Pattaya Beach Road, Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Thailand.
Elephant Day – 13 March 2026
Celebrations and activities of various kinds will be held throughout the kingdom in honour of elephants, which play an important role in Thai culture.
The biggest celebration will be held in Elephant Nature Park and The Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) in Chiang Mai province of Northern Thailand.
Thaibreak Festival – 14 to 28 March 2026
The Thaibreak Festival will mix electronic music with beach parties, boat parties, and tropical sunsets. There will be live music and DJs spinning the discs for three days and four nights.
Koh Mak can be reached by speedboat. The last boat departs Laem Ngoh Pier at 4 pm. Trat Airport is the closest airport. Bangkok Airways has flights from Bangkok.
World Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony – 17 March 2026
This annual event honors the masters of Muay Thai with a traditional wai khru ritual at Wat Mahathat and the Ayutthaya Historical Park.
Thousands of practitioners from around the world gather to pay respect to their teachers and the art of Thai boxing.
The ceremony includes cultural performances, demonstrations, and a grand procession of fighters in traditional attire.
It is both a spiritual and cultural highlight, celebrating Thailand’s national sport and its deep heritage.
Wat Mahathat and Wat Langkha Khao inside Ayutthaya Historical Park, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand
Bangkok International Book Fair – 26 March to 6 April 2026
The Bangkok International Book Fair is Thailand’s largest literary event and one of the biggest book fairs in Southeast Asia. Over 400 publishers and booksellers showcase new releases, international titles, and rare finds.
Visitors can attend author talks, panel discussions, and cultural activities alongside browsing thousands of books.
The fair attracts readers, writers, and industry professionals from across the region, making it a highlight for anyone interested in literature and publishing.
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, 60 Ratchadaphisek Rd, Khlong Toei, Bangkok, Thailand
Nai Lert Art & Floral Popup – 2026 Dates Pending
The Nai Lert Art & Floral Popup will feature flower installation at the Ma Maison and Lady L Garden Bistro restaurants as well as a flower painting art exhibition and a photo exhibition inside Nai Lert Park Heritage Home in Bangkok.
Thao Thepkasattri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival – 2026 Dates Pending
Held every March, the Thao Thepkasattri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival is one of the biggest festivals of the year in Phuket.
Events include a bicycle race, a takraw (foot volleyball) tournament, a tug-of-war, a mini-marathon, and a Buddhist ordination ceremony. A highlight of the festival is a show about the history of Phuket.
Thalang Victory Memorial Field, Heroine’s Monument and Wat Pranangsang, all in the Thalang area, north of Phuket Town, Phuket, Thailand.
Thailand Tourism Festival – 2026 Dates Pending
The Thailand Tourism Festival is a four-day event designed to promote domestic and international tourism. Highlights include regional zones, cultural parades, eco-tourism, and interactive exhibits.
Lumpini Park, Rama IV Road, Pathum Wan District,
Bangkok, Thailand.
If You Are Visiting Thailand
Check out these tips on how to be polite in the Land of Smiles.
March marks the beginning of Thailand’s summer, also known as the hot season. Muay Thai and elephants are in the spotlight in Thailand in March. Plus, some out-of-sight music festivals, religious holidays, a book fair, a flower show – the list goes on!
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Nice to see all these options. I was in Thailand last April for Songkran. Ill stay posted hopefully for your April events listing 🙂