Winter sun, here I come! With the most pleasant weather (low humidity / rainfall and comfortable temperatures) the winter is the best and most popular time to visit Thailand. Consider ditching the one-stop holiday formula and take some time to explore many different parts of Thailand on a multi-centre trip; with cities, mountains, jungle and beaches, Thailand has it all and none of it is off limits at this time of year!

With an abundance of superb beaches, Thailand during our winter will make dreary and cold England feel like a far-flung memory. If you're able to dust the sand from your toes and abandon the cocktail in your hand for long enough then why not experience a Thai festival? Watch the candlelit ceremonies across the country for Father's day on December the 5th, or find your hipster side at Wonderfruit (an art, music and food festival in Pattaya in mid December).

With such a small chance of rain, it's a great time of year to head to one of Bangkok's many rooftop bars. You could be sampling a street food inspired 'Tom Yum' cocktail at Vertigo and Moon Bar (located on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel), a 'Mango Sticky Rice' liquid concoction at Octave Bar or you could, of course, stick to an ice cold Chang and save the Thai flavours for your plate. Either way be sure to let your eyes explore the spectacular metropolis as the sun goes down, giving way to a sparkling, multi-coloured skyline.

This is the hottest and most humid time of year in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok, but April also has the best opportunity to cool down... with the Songkran festival! This is the biggest and wildest of all the Thai festivals where locals and tourists alike celebrate the Thai New Year by turning the country into one giant water fight for three days straight! Leave your valuables in your hotel as you head onto the streets to get a serious soaking with street parties and music aplenty. 

Thailand's gulf islands, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, are wonderfully sunny and dry at this time of year and will provide perfect weather for all holiday goers, from honeymooners to families. Kick back in your sun lounger whilst enjoying the array of tropical fruits that will have just come in to season, many of which you may never have heard of before!

Between March and May you will have the best chance of spotting wildlife at Elephant Hills Tented Camp in Khao Sok National Park, so it's a great time to visit this part of Thailand. Here you can explore enchanting rainforests brimming with monkeys, feed and bathe majestic Asian elephants, star gaze from the deck of your floating rainforest tent and ride a canoe on a river that weaves through dramatic limestone mountains.

European summertime is the monsoon season in much of Thailand. Whilst you should choose carefully where in Thailand to go during these months, the rain can feel most welcome after the scorching heat. Less footfall from tourists also means you can find exceptional value for money. If you are looking to head to the beach, the eastern side of the country is the best choice in Thailand at this time of year for drier weather. Choose one of Thailand's eastern beach destinations: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Koh Samet.

The warm rains bring relief to Thailand's annual northern haze caused by burning crops, so the summer is ideal for a visit to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle. Immerse yourself in the wondrous sights of the north; buzzing night bazaars, opulently adorned temples, dense jungle, winding roads and rivers, chanting monks and mountainous terrain speckled with quiet villages. You can even witness the confluence of three countries as your gaze stretches across the scenic borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos. Don't leave the north of Thailand without sampling a spicy bowl of Khao Soi which consists of curried noodles covered in an irresistible coconut sauce. 

This time of year in Thailand is also peak season for the world's smelliest and most controversial fruit, durian, which is banned from most public transport and buildings due to its pungent smell that permeates the spiky outer shell. Does it taste like a rich, succulent, creamy piece of heaven or a rotten-cheese-flavoured abomination? I'll leave that for you to decide!

With less rain and milder temperatures, September to November could be the best time to visit Thailand before the busy season. 

Don your snorkels or diving gear and head to Koh Tao where it is peak whale shark season; the rains in the north during previous months will have washed nutrients into the sea creating micro algae for these magnificent animals to feed on. 

This time of year is an absolutely brilliant time to get involved in some of Thailand's most weird and wonderful festivals. Loi Krathong (the Thai Festival of Lights) in October sees the whole country head to the nearest stretch of water to float banana tree trunks adorned with flowers, candles and incense. Some of these offerings to the goddess of the river can get quite wacky and elaborate and there's often fireworks, traditional dancing and street food vendors serving a myriad of delectable (and purse-friendly!) treats. Lopburi Monkey Festival in November sees table upon table of food offered to the town's ubiquitous long-tailed macaques amongst ancient ruins and jovial performances - just make sure you don't get caught in a monkey food fight! If that's not bizarre enough for you then head to the chaotic Phuket Vegetarian Festival (usually end of September / beginning of October) where the Chinese community walk on hot coals, climb ladders made of blades and pierce their cheeks with daggers and swords!

• Don't be put off by rain in Thailand - often it can feel like the sky is caving in for a hour and then it suddenly gives way to glorious blue skies and a break from the humidity.
• Book way in advance for busy periods and festivals.
• Bear in mind that the sale of alcohol is prohibited or restricted for short periods of times around some Thai festivals and Buddhist holidays. 
• Whilst Thailand's sunny beach weather is a huge appeal, Thailand has so much more to offer than just beaches - so go and explore!

For more inspiration on the best time to visit Thailand, visit our Thailand Holidays pages.