Chart tool
Sukhothai Historical Park sunset and the best months to visit
Quick summary
The cool months from November to February are the comfortable time to visit Sukhothai Historical Park, and the central zone stays open for sunset until 7:30 PM.
Season essentials
A year at the ruins
Sunset and weather, month by month
Choose a month to see the sunset, the day length and what the nearby station and TAT say for it.
Sunset
Jan
- Sun goes down about 18:06
- Day length roughly 11.2 h4
- Days reach about 32°C, nights drop to about 17°C4
Tak records 1 mm of rain in January, in the middle of TAT's cool season.4,1
Feb
- Sun goes down about 18:23
- Day length roughly 11.6 h4
- Days reach about 35°C, nights drop to about 20°C4
The last month of the cool season; Tak reads a typical high of 35.2 °C.1,4
Apr
- Sun goes down about 18:37
- Day length roughly 12.5 h4
- Days reach about 38°C, nights drop to about 27°C4
Tak reads a typical high of 38.3 °C and a low of 26.9 °C.4
May
- Sun goes down about 18:45
- Day length roughly 12.9 h4
- Days reach about 36°C, nights drop to about 27°C4
The rainy season starts, with 133 mm of rain at Tak in the month.3,4
Jun
- Sun goes down about 18:55
- Day length roughly 13.1 h4
- Days reach about 34°C, nights drop to about 26°C4
Tak records 121 mm of rain and the sun above the horizon for 13.1 hours.4
Jul
- Sun goes down about 18:59
- Day length roughly 13.1 h4
- Days reach about 33°C, nights drop to about 25°C4
Tak records 94 mm of rain and a typical high of 32.6 °C.4
Aug
- Sun goes down about 18:48
- Day length roughly 12.7 h4
- Days reach about 32°C, nights drop to about 25°C4
Tak records 137 mm of rain in August.4
Sep
- Sun goes down about 18:24
- Day length roughly 12.3 h4
- Days reach about 33°C, nights drop to about 24°C4
Tak records 243 mm of rain, spread over 12 days of 2.5 mm or more.4
Oct
- Sun goes down about 18:00
- Day length roughly 11.8 h4
- Days reach about 32°C, nights drop to about 23°C4
The last month of the rainy season in TAT's dates, with 137 mm of rain at Tak.3,4
Nov
- Sun goes down about 17:46
- Day length roughly 11.3 h4
- Days reach about 32°C, nights drop to about 21°C4
The cool season begins, and Loy Krathong falls on the full moon of the 12th lunar month.1,14
Dec
- Sun goes down about 17:50
- Day length roughly 11.1 h4
- Days reach about 31°C, nights drop to about 18°C4
Tak reads a typical high of 30.8 °C and a low of 17.6 °C, with 7 mm of rain.4,1
Sunset is worked out for the 15th of each month on Thai time (UTC+7). Day length and temperatures come from NOAA averages for its Tak station, 60.7 km from the park, 1991 to 2020; the season dates are TAT's.
A month-by-month read of the weather around the ruins, built on a nearby weather station and TAT's season dates, with the sunset hours that decide how much of the day you really get.
Editorial team, sukhothaihistoricalpark.click · Updated November 12, 2026 · A 7 min read
Basics
- Cool seasonTAT puts the cool season from November to February, at 18 to 28 degrees Celsius.1
- Hot monthsTAT puts summer from March to May, with average temperatures of 28 to 38 degrees Celsius.2
- The rainsThe rainy season runs from May to October.3
- April at TakThe nearby station reads a typical April high of 38.3 °C.4
- EveningsThe central zone is open until 7:30 PM, and until 9:00 PM on Saturday.5,6
The year at a glance
TAT describes Thailand's climate as shaped by summer and winter monsoons, which creates 3 distinct seasons.7 For Sukhothai Historical Park weather, that gives a hot March to May, rains from May through October and a cool stretch from November to February.2,3,1 The park is open all year, which leaves you to decide what sort of day suits you and how to cover the ground.
The nearby weather station helps turn those seasons into numbers. NOAA's Tak station supplies temperature and rainfall for every month, and it should be read as a regional picture, not as the park's own gauge. It reads a typical December high of 30.8 °C and low of 17.6 °C, and a typical April high of 38.3 °C and low of 26.9 °C.4,4
The two extremes frame your planning. In the table below you can see the rain build from May and peak in September, while the cool months stay almost dry. In the chart below, the day length changes only modestly through the year, and the sun tool above the article works out the exact sunset for each month.
The numbers
Typical temperatures and rain by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Rain in the month |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32.3 °C4 | 17.3 °C4 | 1 mm4 |
| February | 35.2 °C4 | 19.7 °C4 | 24 mm4 |
| March | 37.7 °C4 | 23.9 °C4 | 24 mm4 |
| April | 38.3 °C4 | 26.9 °C4 | 30 mm4 |
| May | 35.8 °C4 | 26.7 °C4 | 133 mm4 |
| June | 33.5 °C4 | 25.7 °C4 | 121 mm4 |
| July | 32.6 °C4 | 25.3 °C4 | 94 mm4 |
| August | 32.3 °C4 | 24.9 °C4 | 137 mm4 |
| September | 32.6 °C4 | 24.4 °C4 | 243 mm4 |
| October | 32 °C4 | 23.4 °C4 | 137 mm4 |
| November | 31.7 °C4 | 21.2 °C4 | 52 mm4 |
| December | 30.8 °C4 | 17.6 °C4 | 7 mm4 |
Monthly averages from the NOAA station at Tak, which supplies temperature and rainfall for all 12 months; it lies some distance from the park, so read it as a regional picture.4
The cool months, November to February
TAT puts the cool season from November to February, with temperatures of 18 to 28 degrees Celsius.1 It adds that the cooler weather makes it more comfortable to visit markets, temples and scenic trails.10 In its December and January advice, TAT suggests leaving the motorcycle rental behind and pedalling a push bike instead,11 which suits a park that is best covered by bicycle.
Tak's figures confirm the picture. December records a typical high of 30.8 °C and a low of 17.6 °C, with 7 mm of rain in the month,4 and January a high of 32.3 °C, a low of 17.3 °C and 1 mm of rain.4 Mornings and evenings are the coolest parts of the day, and the park's hours let you use both. Bring a thin layer for the first hour.
The cool season is also the festival season. TAT lists the Sukhothai Loi Krathong festival in November,12 and the Loy Krathong page of this guide covers it in detail. The trade-off for the comfortable weather is company, so expect more visitors in the festival season. Book rooms and any guided ride early, and use the first hour of opening to see the central temples before the park fills.
Day length and rain
Twelve months of daylight and rainfall
- Jan12.8 h
- Feb12.4 h
- Mar12.0 h
- Apr11.5 h
- May11.1 h
- Jun10.9 h
- Jul10.9 h
- Aug11.3 h
- Sep11.7 h
- Oct12.2 h
- Nov12.7 h
- Dec12.9 h
Mid-month hours of no sun and days of 2.5 mm precipitation or more, as recorded by NOAA station Tak (temperatures and rainfall, 12 months) over 1991 to 2020.4
The hot months, March to May
March to May is the hot season. TAT gives average temperatures of 28 to 38 degrees Celsius for the summer months,2 and the Tak station records a typical March high of 37.7 °C and an April high of 38.3 °C, with a low of 26.9 °C in April.4,4 A park of brick and laterite with few shaded stretches turns into an oven at midday.
Plan the day around the heat. Ride early, rest in the shade between late morning and mid-afternoon, and return for a last circuit when the light is lower. The central zone stays open until 7:30 PM, so a late visit is possible,5 while the Aranyik area closes at 4:30 PM and the northern zone at 5:30 PM.15,9
The 7-hour cycling day on this site comes with an English guide, and its record cautions that the day can turn very hot and asks guests to dress for it. Take more water than seems necessary, wear a hat and sunscreen, and treat the hot season as a time for shorter outings rather than the full-day plan.
Pick your month
Which month fits what you want?
Say what matters most and the weather data and park hours point to a month.
If The coolest weather
December or January
If The driest days
January
Tak records 1 mm of rain in the month.4
If Fewer people and green ruins
The rainy season
TAT calls it the green season, from May to October.3
If Sunset in the ruins
The central zone
It stays open until 7:30 PM on most days.5
If The lit festival nights
Loy Krathong in November
TAT puts the full moon at the 12th lunar month.14
The rains, May to October
TAT puts the rainy or green season from May to October, with refreshing tropical showers,3 and its Northern Region office describes the north at its greenest between mid-May and mid-October.13 The Tak station shows the pattern, with 133 mm in May, 137 mm in August and 243 mm in September, where 12 days bring at least 2.5 mm of rain.4,4,4
That does not make the rainy season a bad time to visit. Rain can arrive at any hour, and the park looks its most photogenic when the ponds are full and the grass is green. Bring a light rain shell, waterproof footwear and a plan for shelter, and keep your camera and phone dry. Cycling on wet laterite needs a lighter hand on the brakes.
The park is open throughout, and nothing in the Fine Arts Department's schedule changes with the season: a 6:30 AM opening, a 7:30 PM closing, and Saturday running to 9:00 PM.5,6 On a day with heavy rain, shift your visit to the afternoon of the following day rather than riding through a downpour. October's typical high is 32 °C, which makes it a gentler month than the hot season.4
Ride when it is cooler
Compare the sunset rides with the day tour
Choose a group size to see what a sunset ride costs against the full cycling day.
3 options compared
Compare the sunset rides with the day tour
Choose a group size to see what a sunset ride costs against the full cycling day.
- Sunset ride2.5 hours · starting at, per person $22
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View - Evening ride3.5 hours · starting at, per person $33
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View - Cycling day7 hours · starting at, per person $49
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View
Figures are GetYourGuide from-prices, translated at the ECB reference rate. The booking step shows what you pay exactly.
A day by season
How a day in the park shifts with the heat
Opening
Start early
The park opens at 6:30 AM on every day of the week.5
Morning
Central temples first
Wat Mahathat and its neighbours sit in the compact central zone.8
Midday
Rest in the shade
In the hot months a typical April high is 38.3 °C.4
Afternoon
The northern zone
Both northern temples, Phra Phai Luang and Wat Si Chum, close at 5:30 PM.9
Evening
The sunset hours
The central zone stays open until 7:30 PM.5
Saturday
A later finish
Saturday brings a 9:00 PM closing.6
Sunset and where to catch it
Day length is the starting point for a Sukhothai Historical Park sunset. The Tak data shows the sun above the horizon for 11.1 hours in mid-December and 13.1 hours in mid-June,4,4 so June days are noticeably longer than December ones. The sun tool above works out the exact sunset for the 15th of each month on Thai time, and you can set it beside the closing times.
The closing times matter more than the sunset itself. The Fine Arts Department closes the Aranyik area at 4:30 PM and the northern zone with Wat Si Chum at 5:30 PM, while the central zone stays open until 7:30 PM on most days and 9:00 PM on Saturday.15,9,5,6 In other words, a sunset in the ruins belongs to the central zone, where Wat Sa Si and Wat Mahathat are.
TAT mentions cycling through the park at sunset, with history coming alive under the glow of lanterns, as an after-dark experience worth seeking.17 For a sunset over the rice paddies rather than the ruins, there are guided rides: a countryside sunset ride of 2.5 hours that ends with a sunset over the paddies and the Khao Luang mountains behind, and an evening countryside ride of 3.5 hours that ends at a sunset spot.
Video
Cycling through Sukhothai Historical Park
Edge of the Map on YouTube · The video stays unloaded until you press play.
The cooler weather makes it more comfortable to enjoy Thailand’s bustling markets, visit temples, or hike scenic trails
What to pack
A packing list for the season you pick
The park at night
For the Sukhothai Historical Park at night, the best-organised moments are scheduled events. Light-and-sound shows are a recurring feature of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya's historical parks, TAT says, animating the ruins with storytelling and music,18 and for 2023 it announced a Mini Light and Sound show held on the first Saturday of each month from February to August at Wat Sa Si.19 The park's Saturday hours until 9:00 PM suit the same idea.6
Back in town, TAT lists the Saturday walking street of Sukhothai Thani, with stalls between 17.00 and 20.00 on the road by the Yom River.20 It is a sensible way to spend the evening if you want food and a stroll after a day in the ruins. Check the details with the TAT Sukhothai office, since the schedules of these events change.
Loy Krathong is the biggest night of the year, with the full moon of the twelfth lunar month falling in November.14 The page on the festival has the dates, the rules and the etiquette. For ordinary nights, the lit temples are a pleasant bonus rather than something to plan the whole trip around. Wear a light layer, bring a torch, and take care on uneven ground.
Which month should you choose?
If you want comfort and the widest choice, choose from November to February, when the weather is coolest and the park's festival season begins.1 December and January are the coolest and driest in the Tak figures, with 7 mm and 1 mm of rain respectively.4,4 The cost of that comfort is more visitors, so book early.
If you want green ruins and fewer people, choose the rainy season and accept some showers. TAT's description of refreshing tropical showers and lush landscapes is a fair match for what the park looks like then.3 If you must travel in the hot months, plan on early starts, long rests and shorter days, and use the sunset window in the central zone.
Whatever the month, a guided ride makes the day easier to handle. The 7-hour tour on this site collects guests from their hotels within 15 km of Sukhothai and includes lunch, which takes the logistics off your plate. The cycling day is the answer to the question of how to see the ruins without baking in them, whatever the thermometer says.
FAQ
Fast answers to common questions.
When is the cool season?
TAT puts temperatures at 18 to 28 degrees Celsius in those months.1
How hot does it get in April?
That is the figure at the Tak station, which covers temperature and rainfall for every month.4
Which months are rainy?
Is the park open for sunset?
Can I stay late on a Saturday?
The Fine Arts Department gives Saturday hours of 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM.6
Are there sunset rides?
One ride lasts 2.5 hours and another 3.5 hours, both ending at a sunset spot.
What is the Saturday walking street?
Stalls open between 17.00 and 20.00 beside the Yom River, per TAT.20
Sources
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Thailand: the perfect year-round destination ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Thailand: the perfect year-round destination ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Thailand: the perfect year-round destination ↩
- NOAA · Global Summary of the Month, Station Tak (temperatures and rainfall, 12 months) (NOAA GHCN TH000048376), 1991 to 2020 ↩
- Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture (Sukhothai virtual historical park) · Map: Sukhothai Historic Park ↩
- Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture (Sukhothai virtual historical park) · Map: Sukhothai Historic Park ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Thailand: the perfect year-round destination ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (archived tourismthailand.org page) · Sukhothai Historical Park or Old Sukhothai City ↩
- Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture (Sukhothai virtual historical park) · Map: Sukhothai Historic Park ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Thailand: the perfect year-round destination ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Chill out during the current cool season in Thailand ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Loi Krathong 2026 lights up Thailand's rivers and historic cities ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Let's go north Thailand this green season ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Thailand after dark: experiences ↩
- Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture (Sukhothai virtual historical park) · Map: Sukhothai Historic Park ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Observing temple and sacred site etiquette while in Thailand ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Thailand after dark: experiences ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Thailand after dark: experiences ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Sukhothai Mini Light & Sound 2023 show starts 4 February ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Sukhothai Mini Light & Sound 2023 show starts 4 February ↩
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