Though many travelers avoid taking trips to Thailand during the rainy season, sometimes you just have to go anyway. The rain mostly hits at night, but, to be fair, it’s impossible to predict. The weather reports are pretty much useless. This means that at some point, your plans are likely to get rained out. So, it’s always smart to have a few backups ready. Here’s a list of three things to do in Thailand during the rainy season.
1. Watch a Muay Thai Fight
With the rise of the UFC and other MMA organizations, Muay Thai (also known as Thai boxing) has become famous worldwide. It’s not new to Thailand, however, and it has been practiced here for hundreds of years.
Luckily, these fights are put on all over the country, and they can’t be spoiled by the rain. You can think of Muay Thai as a national sport. So whether you’re in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Hua Hin, or even somewhere more remote, you are likely to find a place to watch a fight.
In my experience, Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok has one of the best fight experiences, but you can still find local fights in just about any town. If you’re in Chiang Mai, they even have Muay Thai fights a couple times a week at the Loi Kroh Boxing Stadium (they say it’s a stadium, but it’s more like a bar complex). You can grab a drink at one of the bars and watch it for free.
2. Visit Thailand’s Mega Malls
Thai people are very proud of their malls, and they love to hang out there. While you may think it’s a waste of a day to go to the mall during your vacation, I can assure you that these malls are not like the ones back home.
I’m thinking of ICONSIAM, CentralWorld, and Siam Paragon, to name a few. Granted, these are in Bangkok, but there are also big malls in most of the major cities across Thailand. It’s a great way to escape the rainy season in Thailand temporarily, and many of these places have more than simply food and shopping.
In Siam Paragon, for instance, they have a massive aquarium called SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World. The movie theaters? Way more clean, modern, and high tech than you might expect.
The difference between Thailand on the inside of a mall and Thailand outside of malls can be stark, and a lot of effort goes into making these malls as grand and entertaining as can be, with live music, food festivals, and more.
3. Explore Thailand’s Museums
To be honest, Thailand isn’t known for its museums. If you’re coming from Europe or America, don’t expect them to compete with those in your home country. That being said, when the rain starts to fall, you’re going to need somewhere to go if you don’t want to be locked indoors all day. And at the very least, the museums can be an interesting experience.
Bangkok seems to have the best quality museums (I’m thinking of the Jim Thompson House or the Museum of Contemporary Art), but there are all kinds of small niche museums around the country that can give you a story for your friends back home.
One of these “niche” kinds of museums in Bangkok is the Siriraj Medical Museum, where you can find all kinds of bizarre displays, such as real dead bodies, skeletons, parasites, and unborn babies. For some it may be hard to stomach, but there’s no doubt it will be an adventure.
Aside from this, there are all kinds of special museums throughout the country, and though the exhibits may not be in English, you’ll at least walk away with something to remember. Not a bad way to escape a rainy day.
The Bottom Line
Though Thailand’s rainy season may ruin the beach, it shouldn’t ruin your trip. It’s an underrated time to visit, and there are still plenty of things to do, no matter where you are. Whether you check out a Muay Thai fight, window shop at one of the country’s huge malls, or visit strange and niche museums, there’s plenty to keep you both dry and entertained.
FAQs About Thailand During the Rainy Season
1. What’s so great about watching a live Muay Thai fight in Thailand?
When you go to these fights, you get to experience a lot of traditions that you wouldn’t otherwise. There is this pre-fight music they play called Sarama that seems to transport you to another world. (If you’re familiar with the film Only God Forgives, you’ll have heard this before.) Also, you’ll get to see the wai kru rituals before the fight (essentially a dance of gratitude the fighters pay to their teachers).
2. How much do tickets to Muay Thai fights cost?
The price will depend on both the stadium and your specific type of seat. It can be as cheap as 500 baht or as expensive as 3,000 baht per ticket.
3. Is it cheaper to visit Thailand during the rainy season?
Generally, yes, and by a lot, too. Costs are lower for things like flights, hotels, and tours. The price of everything else will be more or less the same, but there will be way fewer people around. In my experience, it doesn’t typically rain all day, so if you’re flexible, there will still be a lot of time for activities.
