Chiang Mai · Thailand
March
Burning/haze season peaks — AQI regularly hits 150–200+, temples uncrowded but air genuinely poor.
Worth considering
#11 of 12 months
There are better months for Chiang Mai — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
34.5°C
Low
18°C
Rain
15mm
Sun
8.5hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How March scores in Chiang Mai
Weather
Average
Value
Very good
Crowds
Very good
Events
Average
Atmosphere
Good
What you gain in March
- ↑International tourists have mostly left — temples, markets, and sanctuaries are noticeably quieter
- ↑Prices drop 25–35% from January peak: great guesthouse deals in the old city
- ↑Heat is manageable in early mornings — Doi Inthanon national park still worth visiting if AQI allows
What you sacrifice
- ↓Burning season at its worst: AQI can exceed 200 on bad days — outdoor activity genuinely inadvisable
- ↓Haze obscures the mountains entirely; the valley landscape loses its appeal
- ↓34°C+ heat combined with poor air quality makes afternoon sightseeing uncomfortable
How March compares to November (best month)
| Factor | March | November ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 4 | 10 |
| Value | 7 | 5 |
| Crowds | 7 | 5 |
March in other destinations
Lisbon (16.6°C)Barcelona (15.8°C)Tokyo (13.8°C)Bali (30.8°C)Santorini (14.6°C)Paris (11.5°C)New York (9.7°C)Marrakech (22.3°C)Amsterdam (9.2°C)Maldives (30.8°C)Rome (15°C)Bangkok (34.3°C)Istanbul (11.6°C)Vienna (10.3°C)Seoul (9.6°C)Dubrovnik (13.9°C)Rio de Janeiro (29.7°C)Kyoto (14.3°C)Phuket (33°C)Cape Town (25.4°C)Prague (10°C)Amalfi Coast (15°C)Mexico City (26°C)Medellín (28°C)Fiji (30°C)London (12°C)Sydney (25°C)Iceland (4°C)Tulum (30°C)Dubai (29°C)Singapore (32°C)Hoi An (28°C)Miami (26.7°C)Florence (14.8°C)Queenstown (19.5°C)Madrid (15°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Chiang Mai, not across destinations. Methodology →