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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
2 months 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 ******
2 months ago
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Galenus ******
2 months 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.
2 months 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.
2 months ago
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John *********
Anywhere if you can live right by the sea👍
2 months ago
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Winston ********
Go to Pai in Mae Hong Son also Most of the places up North are much cooler.
2 months 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.
2 months ago
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Christopher *************
Temperature drops 2 degrees c per 1000 feet
2 months ago
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Christopher *************
No , why you don't want to use AC lol
2 months ago
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Linda *********
That's why I'm leaving..
2 months ago
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Wayne *****
Sounds like you shouldn't be in Thailand.
2 months 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
2 months 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******************************
2 months ago
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Emma **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sasi ***********
thanks!
2 months ago
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Emma **********
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G.R. *********
If you don't want A C..... don't use it.
2 months ago
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Bjørn *********
Chang Mai.

Chang Rai..
2 months 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
2 months ago
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Brian *******
Pattaya
2 months 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
2 months 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?
2 months ago
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Alma ***************
Right now it's 22c overnight .
2 months 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
2 months ago
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Alma ***************
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Marky *******
Chaing mai is 500m
2 months 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
2 months 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.
2 months ago
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Bryce *******
@Mike ******
 I'm a relative Thailand rookie, your experience is appreciated.
2 months ago
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Mike *******
@Bryce ******
 No worries.
2 months ago
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Mike *******
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Emma **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike ******
thanks Mike, that’s really helpful!
2 months ago
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Mike *******
@Emma *********
 No worries. I hope you find the right place for you.
2 months ago
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Mike *******
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Ralph ************
Da Lat Vietnam 1500 meter high
2 months ago
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SJ *******
I don think Thailand is for you. Try Northern Vietnam gets cold there.
2 months 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.
2 months ago
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Ray *********
@Ken **********
 trust a sepic tank to sterio type Other counties@
2 months 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
2 months ago
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Janelle *****
@Brian *************
 he’s right about America
2 months ago
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Brian **************
@Janelle ****
sure this from a total fool
2 months 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.
2 months ago
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Ken ***********
@Janelle ****
 how I wish I were wrong
2 months 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.
2 months ago
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Anthony *************
@Ken **********
 No reply yet from Brian L. Proffitt 🤷🏼‍♂️
2 months ago
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Bryce *******
@Ken **********
 Agreed, and very sorry for your loss. 💔
2 months ago
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Bryce *******
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Marky *******
@Ken **********
 or Bali without Australian wankers lol
2 months ago
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Tim *********
@Ken **********
 very subtle, Ken 🤣🤣🤣
2 months 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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2 months ago
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Marco ********
Pai in the winter or some resorts near doi inthanon (they have electric heater blankets)
2 months 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.
2 months 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.)
2 months ago
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Bigd **********
@Brian ********
 we were there in June, it was cold!!!! And I'm from Colorado!
2 months 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. 🤗
2 months 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.
2 months ago
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Jon ********
No, maybe a week or two up North in the evenings
2 months ago
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Thaimer ******
@Jon *******
 way longer. Unless you need AC for <20C temperatures
2 months 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.
2 months ago
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Yhadnapa ***************
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