Climate of the most important zones
Bangkok. With its tropical savannah climate, Bangkok is hot all year round! The dry season extends from November to April, and the city receives an average of just 100 millimeters of rainfall. The best time to visit Bangkok is from November to February, when the heat is tolerable, humidity is not too high and the sky is generally blue all day long, although sporadic showers are possible. From March to May, the heat intensifies and humidity begins to rise. The rainy season extends from May to October, with an average rainfall of 1,500 mm. Showers accompanied by thunderstorms are relatively frequent. Skies are generally grey and cloudy, with occasional clear spells. During the monsoon season, Bangkok regularly experiences heavy flooding, with transport affected and calf-deep water in some parts of the city.
East coast (Pattaya, Koh Chang). The seaside resort of Pattaya and the island of Koh Chang are located on the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Bangkok. The region has a tropical monsoon climate, with hot, humid summers and very mild winters. The average annual temperature in Pattaya is 29°C. The rainy season is more marked than in Bangkok, with an average rainfall of 1,800 mm. The dry season is also hotter and more arid, with Pattaya receiving an average of just 50 mm of rain.
Along the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan). The coastal region along the Gulf of Thailand, from Prachuap Khiri Khan to the Malaysian border (including the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, as well as the towns of Surat Thani, Khanom and Phatthalung), is known as the rainy coast. It has a tropical monsoon climate, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The heat is mild and constant all year round, with an average temperature of around 30°C. From May to September, the region experiences a monsoon, though less marked than in the north: rainfall is frequent but not very intense. On the other hand, rainfall is abundant from October to November: this is the period of the reverse monsoon, favored by the high temperatures of the waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The dry season lasts from late November to late April, when rain is rare, although thunderstorms do occasionally break out in the early evening.
The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta). This region includes the most famous seaside resorts on the Andaman coast: Phuket Island, the Krabi region, the west coast where Khao Lak is located, Phang Nga Bay, and also the islands of Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Mook and Koh Lipe. The climate is quite different from that of the Gulf of Thailand. The rainy season extends from May to October, but intensifies from September onwards. The area experiences torrential rainfall, the sea is very rough, and maritime transport(ferries, speedboats, longtail boats) operates in slow motion, if at all. Many establishments on the more isolated islands are closed. Obviously, you should avoid planning a visit to this region at this time of year. The best time to visit the southwest is during the dry season, from December to March, when temperatures are pleasant and the sun is always shining.
Climatic hazards
Cyclones. These are large, rotating storms that form over warm ocean waters. Cyclones are also called hurricanes or typhoons when they originate in the Pacific Ocean. Southern Thailand lies in the cyclone belt, so they are frequent but vary in intensity, from simple rainfall to violent storms, and much more rarely to devastating cyclones. They can bring high winds, heavy rain and flooding. The most recent to hit southern Thailand was Cyclone Pabuk, which caused considerable damage and displacement in the region in 2019.
Tsunamis. Everyone remembers the terrible images of the tragedy of December 26, 2004, when Thailand was severely impacted by the largest tsunami in history. It mainly affected the western part of the country (the Andaman Sea coast) and left over 5,395 people dead, 2,845 missing and 8,450 injured (according to official sources), the majority of whom were foreign tourists. The event was caused by a magnitude 9.1 earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The government has since created a tsunami warning system, the National Disaster Warning Centre, which can warn the population, via satellites and warning towers, within 15 minutes of the first wave forming. Evacuation plans can be found in all at-risk areas, and you're sure to spot these warning towers and evacuation signs during your stay on the country's south-west coast. But don't worry, they're very rare. However, it's best to stay alert, listen to the radio or TV for updates on the storm situation, and if in doubt, move to higher ground and be ready to evacuate if necessary.
Climate change issues
In recent years, southern Thailand has seen a number of developments that have had an impact on the climate. One of the most significant structural developments is the construction of dams in the south of the country. These have reduced the amount of water flowing into the sea, which in turn has reduced rainfall. Another important development is the expansion of agriculture, which has led to deforestation, and has also contributed to a reduction in rainfall. The increase in extreme weather phenomena, such as floods, storms and cyclones, has wreaked havoc on the region. Inhabitants are working to adapt to climate change, notably by planting trees that retain water, thus reducing flooding caused by overly dry soils, and developing new, more drought-resistant farming practices. They are also working to improve disaster preparedness in order to reduce the impact of these meteorological phenomena. The climate in southern Thailand is changing, but the government and local people are determined to protect their way of life and secure the future of the kingdom's south.
