Is it worth going to Phuket or Krabi in July and August?
Dec 25th, 2012, 08:32 PM
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Is it worth going to Phuket or Krabi in July and August?
I need opinions from people about how the nightlife and atmosphere of Phuket is during the summer time. Is it worth a trip in summer?
Dec 26th, 2012, 12:44 AM
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Summertime in the West is low season in the East. Water clarity isn't that good and the seas can be choppy with a frequent downpour. But these showers only tend to last about half and hour and then the sun comes out again. Temperatures are slightly lower at around 31C during the daytime and 27C at night.
The good news is that prices are much lower during the low season and you benefit from cheaper hotel rates especially. Also, it's not so crowded, but still benefits from a party scene especially in Patong.
Krabi is not really a party place and holds more interest to those who enjoy rock climbing and diving. There are a few bars around, but the whole atmosphere is pretty subdued.
Here are Wikitravel guides for both:
Krabi: http://wikitravel.org/en/Krabi_Province
Patong: http://wikitravel.org/en/Patong
Also, go to http://www.youtube.com/ and do a search for "Phuket nightlife" and you'll get the picture pretty quickly I think.
The good news is that prices are much lower during the low season and you benefit from cheaper hotel rates especially. Also, it's not so crowded, but still benefits from a party scene especially in Patong.
Krabi is not really a party place and holds more interest to those who enjoy rock climbing and diving. There are a few bars around, but the whole atmosphere is pretty subdued.
Here are Wikitravel guides for both:
Krabi: http://wikitravel.org/en/Krabi_Province
Patong: http://wikitravel.org/en/Patong
Also, go to http://www.youtube.com/ and do a search for "Phuket nightlife" and you'll get the picture pretty quickly I think.
Dec 26th, 2012, 12:55 AM
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There's a very high possibility that the beaches around Phuket will be red flagged for swimming. On some occasion that I've been there in August the sea was too rough for pleasure boats to leave the harbour or anchorage.
The amount of rainfall will depend on your luck. Some days only a few minutes of rain but some days it can rain for much longer than that.
The amount of rainfall will depend on your luck. Some days only a few minutes of rain but some days it can rain for much longer than that.
Dec 26th, 2012, 08:54 AM
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So, I take it that the nightlife is still worth the trip in July. I will be in Thailand for two months and I am more of a nightlife person so I am looking into options. I plan on visiting koh samui as I hear that it is ideal in summer. How does the nightlife compare between these two islands in July and August? I was in bangkok in August and the nightlife was great in RCA area. Are these islands similar?
Dec 26th, 2012, 06:38 PM
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You will not find that in Phuket during August as it's a low season. The clubs and bars will be empty IMO as the hotels are not even 1/2 full. Better bet would be Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, perhaps the full moon party there. Note that I haven't been to a full moon party proper but I hear that it's quite "wild"!
Dec 26th, 2012, 09:57 PM
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July and August is the rainy season Phuket area. The beaches can be flying red flags so you cannot swim in the sea when those are flying.
Koh Samui together with Koh Phangan and also Koh Tao are popular in July and Auguest, better weather, more beach side places to stay. Less built up.
If you are after crowded 'western' style nightlife then Patong Phuket or Pattaya
Koh Samui together with Koh Phangan and also Koh Tao are popular in July and Auguest, better weather, more beach side places to stay. Less built up.
If you are after crowded 'western' style nightlife then Patong Phuket or Pattaya
Jun 29th, 2015, 03:30 AM
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last one looks like 3 years old post. I(we are couple) am planning to visit Thailand in first week of August for one week. Any suggestions?
Krabi/Phuket is already mentioned risky.
Koh Samui, is better worth as per this thread in that time frame.
As per other forums Krabi is rated better than Koh Samui in terms of beach quality, so feeling more towards Krabi, Anyone can suggest if its worth taking risk and visit Krabi?
As its a good expense trip, so I want to play safe.
Krabi/Phuket is already mentioned risky.
Koh Samui, is better worth as per this thread in that time frame.
As per other forums Krabi is rated better than Koh Samui in terms of beach quality, so feeling more towards Krabi, Anyone can suggest if its worth taking risk and visit Krabi?
As its a good expense trip, so I want to play safe.
Jun 29th, 2015, 10:22 PM
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Thanks Kathie, I am not much in swimming in sea, but would like to try out snorkling and some water sports activities.
I don't mind rains, but it should not make us stay in hotel for complete day either, or activities closed due to rain.
Not sure what all is available but as far as I could get info from visiting some sites would like to try below:
1. Snorkling, Kayak, some watersports.
2. Visiting beautiful scenic islands/beaches.
3. Beach walks(beaches are not closed due to rain).
4. Moderate nightlife, where we can go out to eat with family entertainment to see local culture.
5. I am vegetarian, so which place would be more suitable as per veg. food variety also.
I don't mind rains, but it should not make us stay in hotel for complete day either, or activities closed due to rain.
Not sure what all is available but as far as I could get info from visiting some sites would like to try below:
1. Snorkling, Kayak, some watersports.
2. Visiting beautiful scenic islands/beaches.
3. Beach walks(beaches are not closed due to rain).
4. Moderate nightlife, where we can go out to eat with family entertainment to see local culture.
5. I am vegetarian, so which place would be more suitable as per veg. food variety also.
Jun 30th, 2015, 06:04 AM
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Patong and Bangla Road is always busy no matter what season plus we get a lot of europeans July and August....just depends whether you mean packed out or not.
Rainfall varies plus the weather forecasts are not accurate in general, we can get heavy rain in one area and bright sunshine a mile away!
Travelashish....look at Kata, Kata Noi or Nai Harn both good for families plus you are close to Chalong to catch the boats going out to the islands. The food is the same in all the places you are looking at but Phuket probably has more choice of western restaurants.
Beaches are never closed due to rain here.
Rainfall varies plus the weather forecasts are not accurate in general, we can get heavy rain in one area and bright sunshine a mile away!
Travelashish....look at Kata, Kata Noi or Nai Harn both good for families plus you are close to Chalong to catch the boats going out to the islands. The food is the same in all the places you are looking at but Phuket probably has more choice of western restaurants.
Beaches are never closed due to rain here.
Jun 30th, 2015, 09:42 AM
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The problem on the Andaman Sea won't just be rain, but rough waters. The beaches are likely to be red-flagged. So snorkeling will be out, unless you get an exceptionally calm day, and even the good kayaking trips may be cancelled. Some of the speedboat to nearby islands won't runoff the sea is very rough.
You are likely to have hard rain a couple of times during the day, but not all day. August averages 10 inches of rain and about 20 days have some rain.
You should have no problem finding vegetarian food in either place. Print out a card in Thai that says exactly what you can and cannot eat - or have the hotel concierge write it for you in Thai. Many Thai dishes, even ones that look like all vegetables have fish sauce in them - is fish sauce ok with you?
Beach areas are not the place to find local culture, as these are international beach resorts. If you want more exposure to Thai culture, spend some time in Bangkok
You are likely to have hard rain a couple of times during the day, but not all day. August averages 10 inches of rain and about 20 days have some rain.
You should have no problem finding vegetarian food in either place. Print out a card in Thai that says exactly what you can and cannot eat - or have the hotel concierge write it for you in Thai. Many Thai dishes, even ones that look like all vegetables have fish sauce in them - is fish sauce ok with you?
Beach areas are not the place to find local culture, as these are international beach resorts. If you want more exposure to Thai culture, spend some time in Bangkok
Jul 5th, 2015, 12:58 AM
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Thanks Kathie, That is quite a fruitful reply.
So looks like even if it rains for short time, its side effects can affect other water sports activities.
So in that case Koh Samui looks to be other option. Can you suggest how can we enjoy best Koh Samui, like the things which are done best or exclusive in Koh Samui.
Also yes, I am considering Bangkok also for Tiger Temple and "Woh Tu" temple to acquaintance with local culture.
Does it make sense to make a good package overall?
So looks like even if it rains for short time, its side effects can affect other water sports activities.
So in that case Koh Samui looks to be other option. Can you suggest how can we enjoy best Koh Samui, like the things which are done best or exclusive in Koh Samui.
Also yes, I am considering Bangkok also for Tiger Temple and "Woh Tu" temple to acquaintance with local culture.
Does it make sense to make a good package overall?
Jul 5th, 2015, 08:24 AM
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I don't know of any activities that are exclusive to Koh Samui. It's an international beach resort, so you will find the typical beach/water activities. One other option for a beach with good weather is Hua Hin, on the mainland, south of Bangkok by about 2 - 2.5 hours by car.
The Tiger Temple is not in Bangkok, nor do you want to go there if you are an animal lover. In fact, it looks like the are finally in the process of shutting down the place. Even if it is still open, avoid it.
I don't know what you mean by the "Woh Tu" temple, but there are quite a number of temples in Bangkok. I've only been to maybe 3 dozen of them, but we try to add a couple of new ones each visit.
A combination of beach and Bangkok is a good idea.
The Tiger Temple is not in Bangkok, nor do you want to go there if you are an animal lover. In fact, it looks like the are finally in the process of shutting down the place. Even if it is still open, avoid it.
I don't know what you mean by the "Woh Tu" temple, but there are quite a number of temples in Bangkok. I've only been to maybe 3 dozen of them, but we try to add a couple of new ones each visit.
A combination of beach and Bangkok is a good idea.
