UPtravel2004

I will be travelling to Thailand May 15-31 and am wondering how bad the weather will be at the time. I have always wanted to go to Phuket and am not sure when I will ever go again.

Does it tend to rain all day, or in small intervals? Does the clarity of the water go down as well?

Also, what are other comparable beaches (with clear water, etc.) in Thailand?

Any advice would be appreciated!

rhkkmk

i will be in thailand about the same time as you...i have choosen to go to koh samui for my beach time...i expect the weather to be quite nice at that time of year....jamesA will undoubtably give his authentic weather answers to you shortly....bangkok will be hot and hoter during that period...

rhkkmk

ttt

brotherleelove2004

May is not the best time to go to Phuket as far as weather is concerned. Although no one can accurately predict what it will be like, May is traditionally considered the beginning of the monsoon season in that part of Thailand. I was on Koh Lanta in May a couple of years ago and experienced a fierce storm (high winds, horizontal rain, thunder & lightning) that did a lot of damage for about 24 hours straight before finally calming down to a light rainfall. The boats don't go during these storms so you stand the chance of missing a flight or bus or train on the mainland if you get stranded. The water gets murky with zero visibility, the calm beaches can be dangerous and lots of trash can wash up on shore. Undoubtedly you will hear from others here who had a nice normal sunny holiday on Phuket in May. That's always a possibility, but you're taking a chance with your vacation if you go there then. I suggest you rethink your plan and choose an island in the Gulf of Thailand instead, Samui, Phangan, Tao, Chang or Samet.

JamesA

May is the 2nd rainiest month of the years statistically. Like anywhere, you cannot predict exactly the weather. You no doubt noticed that the hotel rates 'collapse' from 1st May, often half or even a third of the high season (Nov-April) rates. You could be lucky and have 5 -7 days of glorious sunshine, you could also have solid rain or monsoon storms. Tropical rain tends to be hard and fast but even once the rain has past it can leave an awfull mess behind!! Getting to Phang Nga or Phi Phi can be a problem. It is not the time to go, hence such low prices, however, as others have said, this is the season to enjoy Koh Samui, Koh Samet, Koh Chang, Pattaya/Jomtien or Hua Hin/Cha Am which have mostly fine weather.
It is a chance, but if you take the chance and get rained out.....

JamesA

Also note that the Red Flags can be flying at the beaches even when there is no rain ( not all beaches have a flag system ), you have to be very careful indeed of undercurrents, it is not a time to swim in the sea. November to March though it's glorious sunshine and calm seas.