Seasons in Thailand
Wet and Wild 2005
•Hot/Dry - March to May*
•Rain - June to October*
•Mild - November to February
*South - Rain; May to November, some rain in dry season
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What to Expect During Thailand's Rainy Season
- No rain for a week at a time
- Night rain and clear days
- Torrential rains that last 30 minutes to 2 hours, then clearing and sun
- Overcast days with little to no rain
- Two to three days of partial day rain in a week is, especially later in the rainy season
You may want to read @ A walk on the beach
also
@ Scuba Diving Weather Map
Table of Sea Conditions Around Thailand
Common Rainy Season Problems
- You will get wet and need to change/dry out
- Temporary interruption or delay of itinerary and travel plans
- Serious trekking, especially in mountain areas can get pretty slippery
- Planning outdoor activities is more difficult and requires flexibility
- Rough seas will make ferry travel to some islands unpleasant
- Local transportation can be less comfortable
- Renting motorcycles during the rainy season should be well thought out and riding style modified
- Accommodations are cheaper
- Weather is cooler
- There will be fewer tourists
- The countryside in Thailand becomes lush, fresh and vibrant
- White water rafting is awesome in the later part of the rainy season
- River travel and raft floats can be more pleasant
- Stay flexible with your travel plans
- After arrival, book your accommodations one stop at a time. Memorize the URL www.guidetothailand.com/hotels-resorts-spas/ and pop in to any cyber cafe.
- Plan your wardrobe well ... cottons that dry fast. Bring water friendly footwear.
- Find or fashion a double waterproof packet for critical items such as passport, tickets, travelers checks. Make sure it becomes forgetless
- If you do get marooned by temporary flooding, improvise.
- Find a temple and have a chat with the monks or locals.
- Find an open front restaurant with good smells.
- Order 5 dishes you have never tried and sample.
- Quiz the cooks about techniques and ingredients.
Wet and Wild Rainy Season for Thailand Finally at an End?
Have the rains of 2005 finally stopped? December is usually damp to dry in Thailand. The monsoons slow in November and the weather gets good. Everything is green and life is good. No so in 2005. December wreaked havoc in the South.
Areas of Prachuap Khirikhan, Surat Thani and Songkla were hit hard by the relentless downpours. A dam overflowed in Prachuap Khirikhan flooding vast areas. Houses washed into the sea. Roads wash out, power poles leveled, a number of people died.
Resorts were inundated, guests needed to be moved. Entire sections of roadways were swept away. Beach promenades disappeared. Floodwaters kept entire neighborhoods submerged for days. Electricity and water were not available for days.
The popular tourist destination of Koh Samui was hammered as well. Storms kicked up angry seas that made ferry crossings impossible. Stranded tourists could do nothing but wait and hope for clear skies and calm winds.
Numerous colloquial sources claimed that the Prachuap flooding was a 30 to 40 year event. Lets hope so.
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| The weather conditions in this table are based on the experience of a number of dive schools and operators who have been diving the specific areas for years | ||
| Months | Sea Conditions | |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman Sea - Phuket | ||
| Jan-Mar | Calm | |
| Apr | Calm/choppy | |
| May-Oct | Choppy/rough | |
| Nov-Dec | Choppy | |
| Ko Phi Phi | ||
| Jan-Apr | Calm | |
| May-Oct | Choppy | |
| Nov-Dec | Calm | |
| Ko Lanta Area | ||
| Jan-Apr | Calm | |
| May-Jun | Choppy | |
| Jul-Aug | Choppy/Large waves | |
| Sep-Oct | Large Waves | |
| Nov | Choppy | |
| Dec | Calm | |
| Butang Group/Ko Tarutao | ||
| Jan-Mar | Choppy | |
| Apr-May | Calm | |
| Jun-Aug | Choppy | |
| Sep-Oct | Large waves | |
| Nov-Dec | Choppy | |
| West Gulf of Thailand | ||
| Jan-Feb | Choppy | |
| Mar | Calm | |
| Apr-Sep | Choppy | |
| Oct | Calm | |
| Nov-Dec | Large Waves | |
| Ko Chang Area | ||
| Jan-Mar | Calm | |
| April | Large Waves | |
| May-Oct | Rain, large waves | |
| Nov-Dec | Choppy | |
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Weather Forecasts for Regions of Thailand
Click City Link for Detailed Forecast
Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Hat Yai
Kanchanaburi
Khon Kaen
Ko Samui
Mukdahan
Nakhon Ratchasima
Nan
Narathiwat
Nong Khai
Phitsanulok
Phuket
Surat Thani
Ubon Ratchathani
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