Thailand Time Difference: What Changes in October 2026?
If you are travelling to Thailand, living there or keeping in touch with family and colleagues abroad, remember that the time difference can change during the year. On Sunday, 25 October 2026, much of Europe switches back to standard time. Thailand does not change its clocks, so the gap with several European countries increases by one hour.
Thailand never changes its clocks
Thailand uses Indochina Time (ICT, UTC+7) throughout the year. There is no daylight saving time, and the whole country follows the same time zone, from Bangkok and Chiang Mai to Phuket and the islands.
The time difference changes only when another country adjusts its clocks. This happens at different dates in different parts of the world, so international travellers should not assume that every country changes time on the same weekend.
What changes on 25 October 2026?
On the last Sunday in October, clocks go back by one hour in the UK and most European countries. Thailand remains on UTC+7.
After the change, Thailand will be:
- 6 hours ahead of France, Germany, Italy and mainland Spain, instead of 5 hours during European summer time.
- 7 hours ahead of the UK, Ireland and Portugal, instead of 6 hours.
- 12 hours ahead of New York once the US returns to standard time on 1 November. For one week, the difference remains 11 hours because the US changes its clocks later than Europe.
Other regions follow different schedules. In Australia, for example, some states observe daylight saving time during the southern summer, while others do not.
How to remember which way the clocks change
In English, the familiar expression is:
Spring forward, fall back.
In spring, clocks move forward by one hour. In autumn, they move back by one hour.
The exact dates depend on the country. In the UK and most of Europe, clocks change on the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October. In the United States, the dates are different.
Thailand does neither: its clocks stay the same all year.
A practical tip for travellers
Before arranging an international call, online meeting or airport transfer, check the local time at both ends of your journey, particularly around the seasonal clock changes.
If you are planning a trip, our Thailand calendar of important dates and events is another useful reference for organising your stay.
The key point: Thailand stays on UTC+7 all year. It is the clocks in your home country, not in Thailand, that may change the time difference.
