Middle of the drier season · Weather & things to do
Chiang Mai in December
This is the coldest month in Chiang Mai: highs average 81°F (27°C) and lows 62°F (17°C), with about 0.5 in (13 mm) of rain.
December opens the best stretch on our comfort score, at 93/100 (2nd of 12).
- Avg high
- 81°F (27°C)
- Avg low
- 62°F (17°C)
- Rain
- 0.5 in (13 mm)
- Humidity
- 76%
- Cloud cover
- 34%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 53 min
- Comfort score
- 93/100 · Great
What December feels like
Days are warm, averaging 81°F (27°C).
After dark, temperatures fall to about 62°F (17°C).
Humidity averages 76%, so the air feels sticky and the heat feels stronger than the thermometer says.
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 0.5 in (13 mm) of rain.
Clear skies are common, with cloud cover averaging only 34%.
Plan around December
December is one of Chiang Mai's best months on the climate data.
- Opens the best-scoring stretch on our comfort score: December & January.
- Shortest days of the year, about 10 h 53 min of daylight.
- Comfort improves from 82/100 in November to 93/100.
- December sits inside the Nov – Mar window our Bangkok to the Andaman route recommends.
What to pack for December
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 81°F
- Quick-dry fabrics76% average humidity
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Chiang Mai in December
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Huen Phen
Long-standing northern Thai restaurant serving khao soi, sai ua sausage and laab.
Wat Phra Singh
Chiang Mai's most revered temple, with Lanna-style murals.
Ristr8to
Specialty coffee bar in Nimman, known for latte art.
Sunday Walking Street
Weekly street market stretching from Tha Phae Gate through the old city.
Why now December scores 93/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Gold-spired mountaintop temple reached by a 300-step naga staircase.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~759 m to Chiang Mai's ~314 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Chiang Mai in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Chiang Mai?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 93/100. Expect highs of 81°F (27°C) and 0.5 in (13 mm) of rain. December is inside the Nov – Mar window our Bangkok to the Andaman route recommends.
How hot is Chiang Mai in December?
Average highs are 81°F (27°C) and average lows 62°F (17°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Chiang Mai in December?
Not much: about 0.5 in (13 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 49.1 in (1246 mm).
What should I pack for Chiang Mai in December?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 81°F), quick-dry fabrics (76% average humidity) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Chiang Mai
Routes in season in December
- Bangkok to the Andaman Nov – Mar
Planning Chiang Mai in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.