kimberlyb

Planning our first trip to Asia/Thailand. Very excited! I've read many posts about April weather and Songkran. Due to work schedules early-mid April might be best for 12-14 days in Thailand. Looking to visit BKK, CM and Phuket. We scuba dive and want to dive the Andaman Sea. (Dive conditions after April are bad & our dive friends recommend against the gulf for our first trip)

I understand April is the hottest month and there are 2 public holidays (Chakra Day & Songkran).
Here are my questions:
1) My husband has a lot of business travel in the US Dec-March, but we might be able to squeeze Thailand in Feb. It's more ideal from a weather standpoint, but according to weatherbase.com there isn't a huge temp difference Feb vs. April (or even March). I get the impression that most of Thailand is hot year-round. We are from Los Angeles and live inland where it can get into the 90F-100's in summer, but with little humidity. Is it worth going in February instead? (my only concern is that my husband will be tired from his travels and not able to relax since he travels again in March)
2) If we go in early April, it will be less crowded and less expensive (except during Songkran). Does everything close (wats/shopping/restaurants) during Chakra Day and Songkran?? Really don't want to visit during Songkran, but we might be there the first day or two. Probably in BKK which I've read becomes a ghost town. Help?!

Sheygetz

Hi, my first trip to TH was in a late March/ early April and I was in Phuket at the time. Rain started to set in then, meaning heavy showers of short duration. Heat as such I don't mind - and you are used to it. Phuket or anything else near the sea is obviously not going to be as humid as BKK, but that was really stifling and later visits in late autumn were much better suited to the city. February will be a little cooler and you have a much slighter chance of rain. On the other hand I wouldn't give the weather too much consideration. Ask your nobel-prize winning former VP ;-) You just cannot rely on these weather charts anymore. Last time I was in Khao Lak (near Phuket) was in December 05, best time of the year, no rain or so said the charts. But gee did it pour! SEveal days in a row, for hours on end. Landslides, evacuations all over the news. So, go when it fits best and keep your fingers x'ed.

Hendrik

smartcookie

check the temparature and precipitation averages at www.weatherbase.com and compare for your stops for various months.

MichaelBKK

Firstly, it's CHAKRI day, not Chakra day. The holiday celebrates the founding of the current dynasty.

Places of interest do not close for holidays. In fact, Chakri Day is the best day of the year to visit the grand palace in Bangkok, since it's the only day of the year when the Royal Pantheon is open to the public. Temples are always open on holidays, since most of them are religious anyway, and shops never close.

You are correct that, no matter what time of year you visit, it will most likely be hotter and more humid than you're used to, so pick the time that works best for you.

If you come around Songkran, avoid traveling (including arriving in Bangkok) on the first or last days of the holiday. Airports are a zoo on those days.

kimberlyb

Oops, I meant Chakri not Chakra, sorry about the typo but thanks for catching it.

Not sure which city we'll be in, but if we are in CM for Chakri day will the famous Sunday night market everyone raves about be open (not sure if that is considered a point of interest)?

If we are in BKK, will the Royal Pantheon be crowded since it's only open to public that day?

When does Songkran start/end in 2008?
Thanks for the feedback. I truly appreciate it.

hoodlims

Don't know where you are from, but it felt like the worst Chicago summer day to me. Maybe its like a hot, humid Texas day too? I don't even sweat much at the gym, but I would just start sweating like crazy from standing around and walking on the street!

cwn

Yes, Bangkok weather reminds me of Houston's weather in the summer time!

Gpanda

It's hot, but you get to the point where you're having so much fun that it becomes secondary. Expect to perspire. Drink lots of water. Don't try to do too much at once. Enjoy an hour relaxing at the pool. Take the skytrain and a/c taxis. If it were not so hot, the vegetation and flowers would not be as beautiful.

zachnyc

I have been to Thailand twice, once in December/January and then again in March/April. Although it was close to 100 degrees in January, it was comfortable. I am a fit young active guy, but I found the second trip to be unbearably hot, especially in Bangkok. The beach wasn't so bad since you could always jump into the water (albeit 90 degrees plus!) The heat and humidity made sightseeing in Bangkok very difficult and we were worn out after seeing just one site a day versus many a day on the first trip.

kywood1955

kimberlyb, The hottest will be BKK and VERY humid (we're from dry climate). Do your site seeing early in the day -- try to get to places by 8:00 a.m. By noon, you'll want an a/c taxi to take you to an a/c restaurant and bring you back to your a/c hotel. CM will be 6-8 degrees cooler as it is a little higher altitude. We were there at the end of rainy season (October 2005) and CM, along the Ping River, flooded. Opus (Baan Orapin) arranged for a trip to the Elephant Conservation Camp -- we only had to wade a few blocks to catch our ride to the camp -- great adventure!! In Phuket you'll have ocean breezes. For BKK, and maybe CM, plan on 2 tops per day 'cuz of the sweating, but remember getting laundry done is very inexpensive. We're going back in December and we can hardly wait!!! Happy travels!!

kimberlyb

Thank you for the tips Kywood1955! I never even thought of doing laundry there.

I think we might also try to stay at a hotel along the river in BKK, which hopefully will be a little cooler if there is such a thing. If not, at least it will have a/c.

Thanks again for everyone's feedback. As always, the people on this board are very helpful!

Gpanda

The river is much cooler. There will be many places to get your laundry done cheaply, just not at your hotel.

Gpanda

The higher plane keeps me from responding to any Yankee taunts. BTW, any number of cheap shots are falling by the wayside.