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What are some higher altitude towns in Thailand where you can avoid using AC or fans at night?

AltitudeClimateCool WeatherNorthern ThailandVisiting ThailandExpat LivingTravel RecommendationsChiang MaiPaiMae Hong Son
Oct 12, 2024
a month ago
Emma **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all, are there any higher altitude towns/areas in Thailand where you don’t have to use AC or fan at night? (I’m thinking somewhere around 500m, where the humidity is knocked back and the temps are cooler.)

I’m not really well-travelled in Thailand - the only cooler place I’ve been to was in the mountains outside Chiang Rai, but I’m wondering if there are more (maybe around Pai??) Thanks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post explores whether there are towns in Thailand at higher altitudes (around 500 m) where one can comfortably sleep without AC or a fan at night. Responses highlight that while some northern areas like Doi Inthanon, Pai, and Mae Hong Son can provide cooler temperatures, generally, Thailand's tropical climate makes it difficult to avoid heat and humidity year-round. Participants suggest specific locations and their experiences, noting seasonal variations in temperature. Recommendations range from cities like Chiang Mai and Pai to higher altitudes such as Phu Tubberk and certain villages in Mae Hong Son.
Galenus ******
a month ago
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Galenus ******
a month ago
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John *********
The Myanmar/Thailand border is the Bilauktaung mountain range. I would look there. I live in Suan Pheung, Ratchaburi and the weather is excellent from November through February.
a month ago
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Alain ****
No need for fan (night) all year round but need good blanket in winter at my favorite village ban pang kham noi 1000 meter altitude 30 mn north of pang mapha, Mae Hong Son. they have some tourist accommodation nearby at Ban jabo, appreciated by Thai tourists, same altitude.
a month ago
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John *********
Anywhere if you can live right by the sea👍
a month ago
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Winston ********
Go to Pai in Mae Hong Son also Most of the places up North are much cooler.
a month ago
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Kate *******
You do get used to the heat a lot quicker than you expect and you can basically wean yourself off the AC.
a month ago
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Christopher *************
Temperature drops 2 degrees c per 1000 feet
a month ago
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Christopher *************
No , why you don't want to use AC lol
a month ago
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Linda *********
That's why I'm leaving..
a month ago
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Wayne *****
Sounds like you shouldn't be in Thailand.
a month ago
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Jo **********
I live outside of Chiang Mai in Mae Wang but we have a second house in a Karin village at 1200 m. I can managed without air conditioning but not ideal. You need to get to about 1500 meters minimum. And most of the land at those altitudes are parks or occupied by hill tribes
a month ago
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Sasi ************
My vacation home in Phureau Leoi is very pleasant starting from October and last until beginning of March.

It’s very nice, I’ve post the video of the surrounding a couple of day ago, feel free to check it out. I’m not there now otherwise would be able to take a live video to show it.

You can also see the videos here;
@https://www.facebook.com/PhuRu******************************
a month ago
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Emma **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sasi ***********
thanks!
a month ago
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Emma **********
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G.R. *********
If you don't want A C..... don't use it.
a month ago
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Bjørn *********
Chang Mai.

Chang Rai..
a month ago
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Roy *********
Khao Kho in petchabun is exactly like this.

If you want to be very cold I can recommend phu tubberk, one thousand 500 meter above sea.

I been there when temperature 5c. No aircon there
a month ago
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Brian *******
Pattaya
a month ago
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Alma ***************
Come to Fang..like us with a house in the village right on the road to Doi Ang Khang..our view is doi Ang Khang and cooler at night
a month ago
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Emma **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alma **************
 thanks! I hadn’t heard of Fang before, but it’s around 500m - which is a good altitude for me! How do you find the smoke seasons there? I imagine it gets pretty bad for a few months a year?
a month ago
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Alma ***************
Right now it's 22c overnight .
a month ago
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Alma ***************
@Emma *********
 it's not as bad although we haven't lived here long and still have a house in Chiangmai..however, I monitor the aqi and Fang seems to be better than Chiangmai that's why we rented a village house here
a month ago
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Alma ***************
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Marky *******
Chaing mai is 500m
a month ago
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Tim *********
In northern mountains in Winter, maybe some nights would be cool enough. But most nights I think you'd still want at least a fan. BTW here at the coast in Chonburi, I manage with just a big ceiling fan in my bedroom. Very rare I need AC on at night
a month ago
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Mike *******
My first thought while reading your question was in the hills north and north-west from Chiang Rai, which happens to be one of my favourite areas (and for the same reasons as yourself). Another area worth considering is the Mae Kampong district, east from Chiang Mai. The Mae Kampong village sits above 1,000m (if I recall correctly). Good luck.
a month ago
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Bryce *******
@Mike ******
 I'm a relative Thailand rookie, your experience is appreciated.
a month ago
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Mike *******
@Bryce ******
 No worries.
a month ago
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Mike *******
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Emma **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike ******
thanks Mike, that’s really helpful!
a month ago
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Mike *******
@Emma *********
 No worries. I hope you find the right place for you.
a month ago
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Mike *******
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Ralph ************
Da Lat Vietnam 1500 meter high
a month ago
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SJ *******
I don think Thailand is for you. Try Northern Vietnam gets cold there.
a month ago
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Ken ***********
Not to be cheeky but finding a year round cool city in Thailand is as futile a search as a year round sunny city in the UK or a city in the U.S. without handguns or a city in Australia without drunkards on the weekend. It just doesn't exist.
a month ago
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Ray *********
@Ken **********
 trust a sepic tank to sterio type Other counties@
a month ago
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Brian **************
@Ken **********
 what kind of knuckle head are you?

Had to try and dump on America

Hope you never see this country you moron
a month ago
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Janelle *****
@Brian *************
 he’s right about America
a month ago
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Brian **************
@Janelle ****
sure this from a total fool
a month ago
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Ken ***********
Here are the top five cities in Thailand by altitude:

1. Chiang Mai - Approximately 316 meters (1,037 feet): Located in northern Thailand, it's surrounded by mountains.

2. Pai - Approximately 400 meters (1,312 feet): A small town in Mae Hong Son Province, known for its scenic views and mountainous landscape.

3. Mae Hong Son - Approximately 1,300 meters (4,265 feet): The capital of Mae Hong Son Province, situated in a valley surrounded by mountains.

4. Loei - Approximately 600 meters (1,969 feet): A city in northeastern Thailand, close to several mountain ranges.

5. Nan - Approximately 540 meters (1,771 feet): A city in northern Thailand, known for its natural beauty and mountainous terrain.

These cities offer unique cultural experiences and beautiful natural landscapes.
a month ago
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Ken ***********
@Janelle ****
 how I wish I were wrong
a month ago
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Ken ***********
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Ken ***********
@Brian *************
 born and raised in USA. Sadly the deaths from guns is horrific in the U.S . My aunt and cousin both died from guns.
a month ago
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Anthony *************
@Ken **********
 No reply yet from Brian L. Proffitt 🤷🏼‍♂️
a month ago
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Bryce *******
@Ken **********
 Agreed, and very sorry for your loss. 💔
a month ago
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Bryce *******
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Marky *******
@Ken **********
 or Bali without Australian wankers lol
a month ago
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Tim *********
@Ken **********
 very subtle, Ken 🤣🤣🤣
a month ago
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Tim *********
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David *******
Not cold, and defo not dry, but cooler, Mae Hong Son:

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a month ago
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Marco ********
Pai in the winter or some resorts near doi inthanon (they have electric heater blankets)
a month ago
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Brian *********
Doi Inthanon is the only place I can think of that could have what you described but is a state park. No residence I’m aware of.
a month ago
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David ********
@Brian ********
 I’ve seen frost there last ‘Winter’, but it was one of those “whore frosts” (I think that’s what it’s called) so it was still in the ‘teens’ Celsius …

I’ve been to Doi Inthanon once and Mon Jam (45 minutes north of Chiang Mia) where no AC was needed at night (Canadian, so room temperature for me is 20. 22 tops.)
a month ago
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Bigd **********
@Brian ********
 we were there in June, it was cold!!!! And I'm from Colorado!
a month ago
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Brian *********
@Bigd *********
 yes, but to help clarify June in Thailand is not remotely related to June in the US. It’s the end of high temps crossing into the beginning of rainy season.

But, to actually avoid the heat and humidity with ANY reliability, that’s the sort of altitude necessary. 🤗
a month ago
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Brian *********
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J ******************
Thailand is a tropical country but Northern areas get cooler in winter but winter is merely a word rather than an eventuality.
a month ago
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Jon ********
No, maybe a week or two up North in the evenings
a month ago
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Thaimer ******
@Jon *******
 way longer. Unless you need AC for <20C temperatures
a month ago
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Thaimer ******
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Yhadnapa ***************
that you don’t have to use AC or fan at night? i don’t think so. even in the mountains, it’s not always like that the whole year around.
a month ago
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Yhadnapa ***************
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