is the heat really unbearable in Thailand?
Jan 20th, 2009, 03:55 AM
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is the heat really unbearable in Thailand?
We were planning to spend 30 days in Thailand starting middle of March but the tourbook describes the Thailand heat as unbearable in April. I struggled with migranes from the heat on a trip to Zanzibar and wonder if Bali would a be better choice...or would it be just as hot and humid?
Jan 20th, 2009, 06:36 AM
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In March / April, Bali wouldn't necessarily be much better than Thailand. It might be slightly cooler, but it might also be a lot wetter.
While April is one of the hottest months in Thailand, "unbearable" would be an exaggeration. I've lived in Bangkok for nearly 17 years, and I've survived. What you will want to do is plan your day to avoid the worst of it, especially when seeing outdoor attractions. So, for example, plan to see the Grand Palace first thing in the morning - it opens at 8:00 am. Leave your afternoons free, or plan cool activities like a canal tour, shopping the malls, or spa treatments.
While April is one of the hottest months in Thailand, "unbearable" would be an exaggeration. I've lived in Bangkok for nearly 17 years, and I've survived. What you will want to do is plan your day to avoid the worst of it, especially when seeing outdoor attractions. So, for example, plan to see the Grand Palace first thing in the morning - it opens at 8:00 am. Leave your afternoons free, or plan cool activities like a canal tour, shopping the malls, or spa treatments.
Jan 20th, 2009, 06:51 AM
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"unbearable"? No. But it is hot. This is, after all, the tropics. Like Michael says, Bali would be about the same temperature.
One of the things about the heat in Thailand is that there are lots of places to get out of the heat - air conditioned buildings, taxis, etc. Alternate outdoor activities with indoors. Take a swim in the afternoon, do your site seeing early in the morning.
One of the things about the heat in Thailand is that there are lots of places to get out of the heat - air conditioned buildings, taxis, etc. Alternate outdoor activities with indoors. Take a swim in the afternoon, do your site seeing early in the morning.
Jan 20th, 2009, 01:15 PM
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I also suffer from migranes and we went to Thailand in Feb 08. I didn't have any problems with them except in Singapore. I have decided that it was caused by not enough water to drink as much as the heat. Here are my suggestions
Drink around 3X as much water as you would at home
Avoid alcohol as much as possible
Stay only in AC hotels
If you are out and feeling very hot find a bathroom and put your wrists under the cool tap for a minute or two.
Have a massage at least every second day.
Take a good supply of medication with you and take it sooner rather that later if you feel any sign of a headache coming on.
Drink around 3X as much water as you would at home
Avoid alcohol as much as possible
Stay only in AC hotels
If you are out and feeling very hot find a bathroom and put your wrists under the cool tap for a minute or two.
Have a massage at least every second day.
Take a good supply of medication with you and take it sooner rather that later if you feel any sign of a headache coming on.
Jan 20th, 2009, 03:39 PM
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I agree with what others have said.
A lot has to do with how you treat your body and how you handle a hot climate.
Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol during the heat of the day, avoid eating 'fatty foods' at breakfast, keep to fruit, cereals etc.
Take advantage of ac wherever you can, don't rush and plan your days without the need to rush.
Also avoid midday sun, try and move around when it's early and not the peak of the heat, perhaps schedule your day to allow rest time back at your hotel during the peak heat, have a 'siesta' or relaxation, do other things later in the afternoon.
I know nothing about migranes so forgive my ignorancy in advance but perhaps using an umbrella/shade may help to keep the heat off a bit. Even a wide brim hat.
I guess there must be websites with advise on migranes in hot climates.
These apply in any such climate.
A lot has to do with how you treat your body and how you handle a hot climate.
Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol during the heat of the day, avoid eating 'fatty foods' at breakfast, keep to fruit, cereals etc.
Take advantage of ac wherever you can, don't rush and plan your days without the need to rush.
Also avoid midday sun, try and move around when it's early and not the peak of the heat, perhaps schedule your day to allow rest time back at your hotel during the peak heat, have a 'siesta' or relaxation, do other things later in the afternoon.
I know nothing about migranes so forgive my ignorancy in advance but perhaps using an umbrella/shade may help to keep the heat off a bit. Even a wide brim hat.
I guess there must be websites with advise on migranes in hot climates.
These apply in any such climate.
Jan 20th, 2009, 04:02 PM
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I'm not sure where you're from, silverparrot, but I lived in Thailand for a while and I actually preferred the heat there to the heat in Australia - where I ordinarily live. Both get bloody hot.
I suppose it's just personal taste and never having been to Zanzibar I don't know whether it's humid heat or dry heat, but my body seems to thrive in humid heat, but not so in dry heat.
As others have said, though, if yours is not one of those bodies that loves the humidity, then Thailand is well geared with airconditioning to assist. Don't let the heat stop your from visiting Thailand - it truly is a remarkable place.
I suppose it's just personal taste and never having been to Zanzibar I don't know whether it's humid heat or dry heat, but my body seems to thrive in humid heat, but not so in dry heat.
As others have said, though, if yours is not one of those bodies that loves the humidity, then Thailand is well geared with airconditioning to assist. Don't let the heat stop your from visiting Thailand - it truly is a remarkable place.
Jan 21st, 2009, 12:28 AM
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I have been to Zanibar a couple of times and Thailand many times. If you visited Zanzibar in the hot season, then the temperature is a about the same as in Thailand in April but the humidity in Thailand can be much higher.
Jan 21st, 2009, 01:09 AM
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silverparrot, as you've probably figured out by the range of responses, the tolerance of the weather is very much a personal thing. I dislike the heat of Bangkok -- so much so that I won't travel there except for the unhottest months. (Yes, that is a word. I just created it.)
Jan 21st, 2009, 02:26 AM
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SP-it is very hot, but you've received many suggestions for dealing with the heat. In the A/C, it is quite comfortable.
Also, remember that you asked on the Asia forum where many of the posters have a preference for Thailand.
Check out weatherbase.com to see the average temps and precipitation.
Also, remember that you asked on the Asia forum where many of the posters have a preference for Thailand.
Check out weatherbase.com to see the average temps and precipitation.
Jan 21st, 2009, 03:40 AM
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Thank you all for your help and great suggestions. We will probably split our time in two and go to both countries but I don't understand the response from:
Author: Mitch04 ([email protected])
Date: 01/20/2009, 06:19 pm
silverparrot, you can't expect to go to the tropics and not experience heat.
Of course I had consulted a map and was very aware of the temperature but when the guide book used the term "unbearable" I thought I would consult the Fodor experts (those with firsthand knowledge of Thailand/Bali). When one is asking for help why does another respond this way? It seems rather unnecessary.
Having said that, thank you again for the kindness of the other responses.
Author: Mitch04 ([email protected])
Date: 01/20/2009, 06:19 pm
silverparrot, you can't expect to go to the tropics and not experience heat.
Of course I had consulted a map and was very aware of the temperature but when the guide book used the term "unbearable" I thought I would consult the Fodor experts (those with firsthand knowledge of Thailand/Bali). When one is asking for help why does another respond this way? It seems rather unnecessary.
Having said that, thank you again for the kindness of the other responses.
Jan 21st, 2009, 04:40 AM
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Mitch is Australian. He's a known curmudgeon and deserves to be beaten daily with a stick. It's the only way to keep him in check.
I once spent a week with him by accident. Horrible.
lol lol lol.
If I were you silver, I wouldn't fuss too much. He's a kindly soul when he takes the sedation.
I once spent a week with him by accident. Horrible.
lol lol lol.
If I were you silver, I wouldn't fuss too much. He's a kindly soul when he takes the sedation.
Jan 21st, 2009, 12:58 PM
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Why do I suspect that Dogster is an expert on sedation?
The simple answer is that it can be really hot and humid, but there are many ways to cope and Thailand is such a wonderful place that the weather is acceptable.
The guide book misspoke. The heat is not "unbearable" it can merely be uncomfortable. Light clothes and a/c taxis make it better. Short excursions with breaks in a/c also help. Lots of water. We found that the OJ they sell on the street is very recuperative.
If only one poster ridiculed you, you're doing way better than I ever do.
The simple answer is that it can be really hot and humid, but there are many ways to cope and Thailand is such a wonderful place that the weather is acceptable.
The guide book misspoke. The heat is not "unbearable" it can merely be uncomfortable. Light clothes and a/c taxis make it better. Short excursions with breaks in a/c also help. Lots of water. We found that the OJ they sell on the street is very recuperative.
If only one poster ridiculed you, you're doing way better than I ever do.
Jan 21st, 2009, 01:17 PM
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We spent 2 weeks in Thailand in Jan. 2007. Yes, we found the heat and humidity awful. However we loved the people , food and found the whole Thai experience wonderful. We are not sorry we took this trip but we would never return because we found it way to hot. We even cancelled a few day trips we had planned and went for shorter morning trips to beat the heat.
I also suffer from migraines and had 2 bad ones while there.
I always speak very highly of our trip but never hesitate to let people know that you will be HOT!!
I also suffer from migraines and had 2 bad ones while there.
I always speak very highly of our trip but never hesitate to let people know that you will be HOT!!
Jan 22nd, 2009, 05:17 PM
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I am assuming that when you were in Zanzibar you were taking Malaria medication, as Zanzibar is a substantial Malaria risk area; and a not uncommon side effect of those medications are headaches. So that may have been a contributing factor. If you are going to Bangkok, you generally would not need to take Malaria meds (only small pockets of Thailand have Malaria risks, and Bangkok has a quite low, if any risk, see the useful website with maps at the Scottish NHS http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/desti...s/worldmap.htm, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office also has good information at http://www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm.) Bali is also a very low risk area for Malaria.
The other suggestions above are good re hydration, avoiding direct sun, etc.
As between heat/humidity in Bali and Thailand in April that is a toss up IMO. Bangkok being a city with high-rises will certainly <i>feel</i> hotter (and will probably be few degrees hotter than even countryside areas outside Bangkok), but you will have better access to air conditioned places like restaurants, shops, etc to get some relief from time to time. But in Bali in coastal areas you will get sea breezes (although you can sit by a pool in the shade of an umbrella in Bangkok too). So it is hard to say which would be easier on you. I would agree that the people and culture of both would more than make up for the heat and humidity.
The other suggestions above are good re hydration, avoiding direct sun, etc.
As between heat/humidity in Bali and Thailand in April that is a toss up IMO. Bangkok being a city with high-rises will certainly <i>feel</i> hotter (and will probably be few degrees hotter than even countryside areas outside Bangkok), but you will have better access to air conditioned places like restaurants, shops, etc to get some relief from time to time. But in Bali in coastal areas you will get sea breezes (although you can sit by a pool in the shade of an umbrella in Bangkok too). So it is hard to say which would be easier on you. I would agree that the people and culture of both would more than make up for the heat and humidity.
