Thai Islands - Weather Right Now? East vs West?
Replies: 12 - Last Post: Oct 16, 2012 2:31 AM Last Post By: thaibeachlovers
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Thai Islands - Weather Right Now? East vs West?
Hi,We'll be landing in Bangkok tomorrow evening (13th Oct) and intend to make our way to one of the islands in the south. We can't decide between east (Tao) or west (Phi Phi, Lipe) and the weather forecasts tend to be contradictory or overly pessimistic (i.e. no differentiation between 10 mins of rain per day and 20 hours of rain per day).
Can anyone currently at these places confirm what the weather is doing right now?
Alternatively is Ko Samet further north a better choice for drier weather?
Many thanks.
2
Please have a look at my archives, half way down the page on my Samui info and weather blog, (Koh Tao has the same weather) right hand side, they go back a few years. Open a month that you’re interested in and check one of the last posts of each month, starting with ‘Goodbye to…………’ this post will tell you the weather conditions for that month.You can also check each individual post for that month if you wish to.
Right now the forecast for the next 7 days is just splendid, sunny skies and great weather.
3
With all due respect limbo, just because the weather was such and such last year, does not mean that it will be the same this year. Last year Bkk was waist deep under water, this year it seems unlikely, or likely, depending on whether or not a few storms arrive over Vietnam.Last year we had a flood outside our house near Chiang Mai, this year it's been mainly dry and far too hot, still.
I've been to the islands in the wet season and just had an occasional downpour that was over and sunny again in an hour, while other people experienced weeks of continuous rain at the same time in different years.
Bottom line is, do you feel lucky?
PS, due to changing weather patterns, the old wet season dry season pattern no longer applies. I've experienced heavy thunderstorms in the dry season, and as I've already mentioned, it can be quite dry for long periods in the so called wet season.
4
Don't dispute that at all, it is however a good indication if you have personal observations form 5 years in a row, it will give you more than just an idea on what to expect.If you take the time to look and open the links, you will see that otober in the Gulf is not always the way it is right now.
For instance, Samui and Southern Thailand had completely out of season floods a year and a half ago in March.
OP however was asking how weather is right now and it's just excellent, both sides and the forecast predicts outstanding weather for next week in the Gulf. Did I answer the OP question now, yes or no?
5
This time of year is the monsoon changeover from the West coast to the East coast. The weather on the west coast starts to clear up over the next month, whereas the east side is slowly entering monsoon until January. That being said, the weather on Koh Tao has been spectacular the past four days. Full sun, calm waters etc...No guarantees that it will continue of course, but it's looking good in the Gulf right now.Cheers, Will
6
#4 Did I answer the OP question now, yes or no?Yes you did, but what will you do if the weather report is wrong andf it pours for the next week - offer them a refund?
How much do you believe weather reports?
IMO it is not a good idea to be giving predictions about weather, when other people might spend money based on that prediction.
Better to give them a link to the weather forcast and let them make up their own mind. That way they won't be cursing you if it all goes horribly wrong.
9
OK, look, I gave the op a link to one of the or probably most comprehensive weather reports/reviews on the Gulf of Thailand, where on a daily base from personal experiences over 5 years weather reports are blogged. Now whatever somebody does with that information, once they take the time to dig into it, is entirely up to them. I would never take anything for granted when it comes down to weather but looking at those posts over a 5 year period at least would give me a pretty good idea of what to expect.11
Many thanks for the replies.I am well aware that no-one can predict the weather with any accuracy and it was not my intention to instigate such a heated debate! however, when sitting in another country looking at forecasts which simplify a whole day to just 'rain' or 'sunshine', it is useful to hear first hand from people who can say 'actually, over the last few weeks the rain has just been coming in the evenings', or 'this season has been really wet generally raining all day'.... so I don't think it's so daft to ask for a bit of real-world info.
Anyway we are now sitting in bangkok (in the rain) hoping to head for a beach tomorrow... still need to make a decision east or west but thanks for the advice :o)
12
^^ You could always head north then. Up near Chiang Mai we've had the odd 1 hour downpour and it's over rain, but it's been dry as a bone for the past couple of days.No guarantees of course.
