Chiang Rai, Thailand: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2021]
This article contains affiliate links to Amazon and other vendors. We may earn commission from purchases made through these links. Traveling to Chiang Rai, Thailand? If you're planning to go to Chiang Rai, we have some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to Chiang Rai
- Important essentials for Chiang Rai
- Chiang Rai in January: weather and what to pack
- Chiang Rai in February: weather and what to pack
- Chiang Rai in March: weather and what to pack
- Chiang Rai in April: weather and what to pack
- Chiang Rai in May: weather and what to pack
- Chiang Rai in June: weather and what to pack
- Chiang Rai in July: weather and what to pack
- Chiang Rai in August: weather and what to pack
- Chiang Rai in September: weather and what to pack
- Chiang Rai in October: weather and what to pack
- Chiang Rai in November: weather and what to pack
- Chiang Rai in December: weather and what to pack
When to go to Chiang Rai, Thailand
Based on the climate and weather in Chiang Rai, the best time to go is February. See below for details.
Important esssentials for Chiang Rai, Thailand
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Chiang Rai, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
IMPORTANT COVID-19 PACKING ESSENTIALS
- proof of COVID-19 vaccination if you have it
- vaccine card protector
- N95 masks for top protection
- kids' KN95 masks
- hand sanitizer
- touchless thermometer
- travel disinfecting wipes (for plane, etc)
- A plug adapter that supports outlet types A, B, C and O. This one works in most places, but you should check with your hotel.
- A portable power bank, like this one
- A SIM card that works in Chiang Rai. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying. In some locations you may need a satellite phone. We recommend this satellite phone
- If you plan to visit a church, make sure to bring appropriate clothing
- If you are visiting a temple, pack respectful clothing
- Appropriate museum wear
- Bicycle friendly attire, if you plan on biking anywhere
- Emergency water purifier
- For families with young children:
- Chang Rai travelers will do a lot of walking, so a lightweight backpack like this is essential
- Airplane or car necessities:
- Photography items that we like:
- cell phone photography gimbal
- camera drone for outdoor shots
- extra batteries
- extra memory cards
What to wear/what to pack for Chiang Rai, Thailand by month
January
If you are traveling to Chiang Rai in January, you will notice that it is hot. Daytime temperatures are in the low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Bug repellent
- Shorts or short pants
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Sunscreen lotion
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Sandals
- Light footwear
- If you're going to the beach,
February
If you visit Chiang Rai during February, you may notice that it is really hot.
Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 50s F (low 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Skirts
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Dresses
- Waterproof sandals
- Shorts
- Short sleeve shirts
- Insulated water bottle
- Bug repellent
- Sunglasses
- If you're going to the beach,
March
If you visit Chiang Rai during March, you might notice that it can be very hot.
Temperatures tend to hover around the low 90s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 50s F (mid 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Dresses
- Sunglasses
- Skirts
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Bug repellent
- Short sleeve shirts
- Insulated water bottle
- Shorts
- Waterproof sandals
- If you're going to the beach,
April
If you go to Chiang Rai in April, you will notice that it is unbearably hot. Daytime temperatures are in the low 90s F (mid 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sunglasses
- Light linen shorts
- High-SPF sunscreen lotion:
- Sandals
- Lightweight 'harem' pants
- UV protecting pants will keep you safe from UV rays while also cool. These are our favorites:
- Insulated water bottle
- Thin short sleeve shirts
- Skirts
- Tank tops
- Personal cooling fan, such as this
- Light dresses
- Bug repellent
- If you're going to the beach,
May
May in Chiang Rai is really hot. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) to low 90s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Shorts
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Waterproof sandals
- Short sleeve shirts
- Insulated water bottle
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Sunglasses
- Bug repellent
- If you're going to the beach,
June
June in Chiang Rai is consistently hot. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) to high 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Shorts
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Waterproof sandals
- Bug repellent
- Short sleeve shirts
- Insulated water bottle
- Sunglasses
- If you're going to the beach,
July
July in Chiang Rai is extremely hot. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) to 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Short sleeve shirts
- Dresses
- Bug repellent
- Skirts
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Insulated water bottle
- Shorts
- Waterproof sandals
- Sunglasses
- If you're going to the beach,
August
August here is consistently hot. Temperatures average in the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Short sleeve shirts
- Insulated water bottle
- Skirts
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Dresses
- Shorts
- Bug repellent
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof sandals
- If you're going to the beach,
September
September for Chiang Rai is extremely hot. Temperatures average in the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Shorts
- Dresses
- Insulated water bottle
- Bug repellent
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Waterproof sandals
- Sunglasses
- Skirts
- Short sleeve shirts
- If you're going to the beach,
October
October in Chiang Rai is extremely hot. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) to 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Short sleeve shirts
- Dresses
- Waterproof sandals
- Bug repellent
- Shorts
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Skirts
- Insulated water bottle
- Sunglasses
- If you're going to the beach,
November
If you vacation in Chiang Rai during November, you might notice that it is pretty consistently hot.
Temperatures tend to hover around the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 60s F (high 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Bug repellent
- Dresses
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Shorts
- Skirts
- Short sleeve shirts
- Insulated water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof sandals
- If you're going to the beach,
December
If you go to Chiang Rai in December, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature. Daytime temperatures are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Dresses
- Skirts
- Sunscreen lotion
- Light footwear
- Bug repellent
- Shorts or short pants
- Sandals
- If you're going to the beach,
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