Need help deciding when to go!
Jan 4th, 2008, 10:13 AM
#1
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Need help deciding when to go!
Hello!
My husband and I have been talking about a trip to Thailand for several years, and I think we are finally ready to do it! We will have approximtely 2 weeks and would like to do Bangkok, a beach area, and possibly somewhere up north if time allows.
Due to our schedules, we would be able to go:
1. anytime in July or early-to-mid August 2008
2. early-to-mid January 2009
Given the choice, when would you go? I know that July/August is the hot/monsoon season, do you think it would put a big damper on a first trip? Would we be able to enjoy the beaches at all? I also know that January is a very peak travel time, would it be a big hassle dealing with crowds? Are prices a lot higher? We will be on a budget and thus are leaning toward the summer, but we do enjoy beaches/snorkeling so January is on our minds as well.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
My husband and I have been talking about a trip to Thailand for several years, and I think we are finally ready to do it! We will have approximtely 2 weeks and would like to do Bangkok, a beach area, and possibly somewhere up north if time allows.
Due to our schedules, we would be able to go:
1. anytime in July or early-to-mid August 2008
2. early-to-mid January 2009
Given the choice, when would you go? I know that July/August is the hot/monsoon season, do you think it would put a big damper on a first trip? Would we be able to enjoy the beaches at all? I also know that January is a very peak travel time, would it be a big hassle dealing with crowds? Are prices a lot higher? We will be on a budget and thus are leaning toward the summer, but we do enjoy beaches/snorkeling so January is on our minds as well.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Jan 4th, 2008, 11:34 PM
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Hello monalua,
you are right, accomodation will be much cheaper in July/August than in January. But this counts mainly for the bigger hotels, where the prices go up 100% or more in December/January. But the main problem would be to find any accomodation at all for the peak season, if you dont book at least 6 months or so in advance.
Generally weather in summer is better on Koh Samui as it is on Phuket or in Khao Lak for instance. But it never can be foreseen. If lucky, you will have sunshine every day. If not, it can be pouring for 1 week in a row.
Speaking of temperatures even in January it goes up to the 90s. The hottest months normally are March to May, July/August are not so bad.
For 2 weeks only I would suppose 3 days in Bangkok, 4 to 5 in Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai and the rest on the beach. Whether fly to Koh Samui/ Phuket or (from Bangkok) go to Koh Chang.
you are right, accomodation will be much cheaper in July/August than in January. But this counts mainly for the bigger hotels, where the prices go up 100% or more in December/January. But the main problem would be to find any accomodation at all for the peak season, if you dont book at least 6 months or so in advance.
Generally weather in summer is better on Koh Samui as it is on Phuket or in Khao Lak for instance. But it never can be foreseen. If lucky, you will have sunshine every day. If not, it can be pouring for 1 week in a row.
Speaking of temperatures even in January it goes up to the 90s. The hottest months normally are March to May, July/August are not so bad.
For 2 weeks only I would suppose 3 days in Bangkok, 4 to 5 in Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai and the rest on the beach. Whether fly to Koh Samui/ Phuket or (from Bangkok) go to Koh Chang.
Jan 5th, 2008, 02:40 AM
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January without a doubt. This is the best time for weather in Thailand. Two weeks from North america is 12 days on the ground. The typical first trip is 4 days-BKK, 4-Northern Thailand, and 4-beach. This gives an overview of three very different areas of Thailand. Again, January.
Jan 5th, 2008, 03:54 AM
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January weather is wonderful. A friend who is in BKK right now says he needs long-sleeve shirts at night!
I've traveled at both of your possible times and would do either one (but yes, as others have said, January is better). If you have to travel on a strict budget, you might opt for July because prices are better then. January is peak season. Your "better" resorts and hotels will ask for, and get, prices that are twice what they would be in July!
Carol
I've traveled at both of your possible times and would do either one (but yes, as others have said, January is better). If you have to travel on a strict budget, you might opt for July because prices are better then. January is peak season. Your "better" resorts and hotels will ask for, and get, prices that are twice what they would be in July!
Carol
Jan 6th, 2008, 07:16 PM
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I agree that January is generally a better time overall weather-wise for Thailand, look at weatherbase.com for information, esp. if you are considering a beach area like Phuket. However, the beaches of Koh Samui on the EAST coast of Thailand are perfectly fine, and in fact are at their best, in July and August. If you want some really good snorkel, I would suggest going down to the Redang area in Malaysia at that time, even cheaper and some great snorkeling and diving. You might also consider islands like Koh Chang or Koh Samet which I believe may also have good snorkeling. In July and August, you will run into rain in Bangkok, but you are not going there for the weather and you can work around the rain in the city, IMO. For the northern areas, that is more of a toss-up, as the rain may interfere with some things like trekking. Only you can determine if that would be an issue to you. Look at the rain stats for Chiang Mai and Chaing Rai at weatherbase.com and see what you think.
As noted above, Jan is also high season so you are going to pay more for hotels and flights. Also bear in mind that Chinese New Year is being celebrate from Jan 26-28 2009 and for a few days on either end, so thousands of expats in the SE Asia area will be traveling to Thailand for R&R during that time, making hotels and flights more expensive and harder to get. If you can avoid traveling the last weekend in January and all of the last week in January, you will be better off, IMO.
As noted above, Jan is also high season so you are going to pay more for hotels and flights. Also bear in mind that Chinese New Year is being celebrate from Jan 26-28 2009 and for a few days on either end, so thousands of expats in the SE Asia area will be traveling to Thailand for R&R during that time, making hotels and flights more expensive and harder to get. If you can avoid traveling the last weekend in January and all of the last week in January, you will be better off, IMO.
