Weather in Phuket in January

How January compares

January is the 6th warmest month of the year in Phuket and ranks 14th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Thailand it is 4th of 6 (Thailand in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Phuket is 21.2°C warmer by day and 23.1°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Phuket peaks at 28.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 29.9°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 10 pass 30°C. Nights average 25.3°C; one night in ten drops to 24.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 32.3°C (2020-01-21) and the coldest night 20.9°C (2019-01-04).

Rain in January

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 7 days with 1 mm or more, 43 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2017 with 350 mm, the driest 1998 with 2 mm. Humidity averages 76%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 28.3°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 27.7°C to 28.7°C. For the warmest sea here, come in April (30.2°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.7 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.6 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:44 and sets about 18:27 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 59%.

Is January a good time to visit Phuket?

Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, manageable rain. The best months for Phuket on our scoring are February, January, March; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Expect steady heat, not cool evenings

Phuket feels hot in January without routinely reaching extreme daytime temperatures. Days reach 25°C throughout the month, while only 10% reach 30°C, so the main consideration is persistent warmth rather than exceptional heat. Humidity averages 76%, which can make walking around feel sticky, particularly at midday. Plan more active time for the morning and leave room for shade and breaks later. Loose, breathable clothing is more useful than heavy layers, and the average night low of 25.3°C means evenings offer limited cooling. If you struggle to sleep in warm conditions, air conditioning is a sensible accommodation priority.

Good swimming weather, with room for showers

The sea is a strong reason to choose January: at an average 28.3°C, it is comfortably warm for swimming rather than something you need to brave. Sea warmth does not tell you about conditions on the day, though, so follow local swimming advice. Rain is still part of the picture, with about 7 rainy days during the month. That makes a flexible beach plan more sensible than assuming every day will stay dry. Keep a light waterproof handy and allow outdoor plans to shift when rain arrives. January sits among Phuket's best-rated months alongside February and March, but it is not a guarantee of uninterrupted sunshine.