Thailand in August
HiWe are looking to book a two week break in August. We were originally planning on staying in Karon in Phuket. We have been advised that the sea will be rough at this time of year and the weather changeable.
We are a family of three, two adults and a five year old daughter. We are looking for a beach type holiday, so any ideas, help or advice on locations etc would be very helpful.
Many thanks
1
If I were you I'd go to Thong Nai Pan Yai. Google it if you don't know. There's a million reasons why I would pick this over Phuket!3
Anywhere in the Gulf rather than Andaman. Pick Tao, Phangan or Samui.4
Are you flying all the way to Thailand from the UK and avoiding Bangkok? Even Bangkok has summer type weather too! Most flights from the UK land at Suvarnabhumi. Bangkok is not as expensive Phuket too! Bangkok has subways, overhead rail service, cheap meter taxis and city bus service. Hotels in all price ranges. Good restaurants and supermarkets too!Hua Hin. Good family beach location. You can get there by train, bus or taxi from Bangkok in a few hours.
http://www.hua-hin.com/
http://www.huahin.bangkok.com/attractions/top-ten.htm
How is your kid with Asian food? If she is a picky eater you can start with fried rice back home and see how she does. No problem finding fried rice in Thailand! Also McDonalds, Burger Kings and other fast food places.
Good luck.
6
Aug/Sep is statistically the peak of the rainy season on the Andaman coast so if you go there be prepared for at least some rainy periods - could be just a cloudburst for an hour in the afternoon, but could also settle in for longer rainy periods. It will quite likely be overcast or scattered cloud most of the time, but again it is the weather and who knows what might actually happen.If historical patterns hold true then you would have much better chances by going to the Gulf coast islands (Samui/Phangan/Tao) during that time of the year.
7
Quote Crazy_Al - Are you flying all the way to Thailand from the UK and avoiding Bangkok?The OP did specifically state "We are looking for a beach type holiday"
Bangkok can be pretty grim in August. Its one of the hottest and wettest months.
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You can find beaches anywhere - many of them closer to UK! Why not get the most out of an expensive plane ticket?
I find the weather more predictable closer to Bangkok. Millions of tourists visit during the rainy season, many of them only visit during this time period!
http://www.guidetothailand.com/thailand-travel-information/weather.php
From above link:
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 per week with rainfall only parts of the day, especially later in the rainy season
8
I wasn't sure about the weather situation, but given that people are saying pick the gulf rather than the Andaman, then I reiterate my suggestion of Thong Nai Pan Yai - which is up the north end of the east coast of Koh Phangan.It's family friendly, non-sleazy, with enough interesting things to do. Avoid Samui like the plague IMO! And Tao is ok, but as is often said here - if you're not a diver, there isn't much to do - and it's a long way on the ferry!
If you fly into Samui in the morning, you can get a ferry from Mae Nam pier that leaves every day at midday and goes all the way up the east coast to Thong Nai Pan.
Or if you're looking for somewhere quieter, you could try Haad Yuan beach - also on the east coast of KPG. Stay at Pariya Resort if it's within your budget - about $100 per night. Very Nice!
9
OP: if you're set on Thailand then you need to head to the Gulf Coast side (East) and avoid the Andaman side (West). Not only will the weather be variable on the Andaman side but the sea is also not safe for swimming in many places due to the dangerous rip tides at that time of year.August (or indeed most of the European summer) is not the best time to travel to Thailand for a (beach) holiday. If you're not specifically set on Thailand but want a beach holiday in SE Asia in August then I would look into Bali or similar places in Indonesia instead.
#7: the OP is travelling with a 5 year old and they want a beach type holiday: BK and a side trip to the 'beach' at HH (which is crap) is not what they are looking for.
