Seasons in Chiang Mai & the north
The dry stretch runs November to March
Which part of the country
Chiang Mai & the north is in its dry stretch right now, November to March. This is the easy window: plan around sun and heat rather than around rain.
Going in April
Agricultural burning fills the valley with smoke, worst in March. Views vanish, air quality can be among the worst in the world, and flights are occasionally affected.
What this means for your bag
A proper mask
A fitted FFP2/N95 — a cloth or surgical mask does nothing against smoke particles. Worth it if you have asthma or are travelling with children.
See the Health & Wellness packA layer for indoor air conditioning
Malls, buses and restaurants are cooled far below the street, and the swing is what makes people ill. A light long sleeve doubles as sun cover and as dress code for temples and mosques.
See the Smart Casual Evening pack
The hot season before the rain breaks, peaking in April. Afternoons in the mid-thirties with very little shade.
What this means for your bag
Loose, covering clothes
Long and loose beats short and tight in serious heat: it keeps the sun off skin and moves air. Linen and light cotton in pale colours.
See the Summer Sun Kit packA bottle you will actually refill
Heat like this needs far more water than you think. A filter bottle also spares you buying a plastic bottle every two hours.
See the Health & Wellness packReal sun protection
High-factor sunscreen, a hat with a brim and sunglasses. Reef-safe sunscreen is worth buying before you go — it is expensive and hard to find at the beach.
See the Beach & Pool Kit pack
Build a packing plan around the season you are actually travelling in.