Ill be in thailand for my honeymoon in mid july. I wanted to go for a few days to a beach, but seems it can rain alot in the south. Is pattaya any better, weather wise, than phuket. if so which hotels would you recommend

Pattaya for a honeymoon? I wouldn't recommend it - it's really pretty sleazy. If you want a nice beach area near (driving distance) from Bangkok with less rain, consider Hua Hin. There are a number of lovely hotels there including the Sofitel, the Hyatt and the Anantara.

Remember it's the Phuket side (which includes Krabi) that has rain that time of the year. You can choose any place on the Gulf side, like Koh Samui, and it will have better weather.

pattaya would probably be somewhat better....so would hua hin....for a honeymoon, pattaya might not be the best place....it is more a singles place....

may i suggest koh chang to you....we stayed at the barali resort which is very nice as is the tropicana next door and it has better food....but the best was the amari emerald cove....fantastic....easy to get there fly to trat on bangkok air and have the hotel pick you up....it involves a 20 minute ferry ride to the island...

much superior to the other places for that time of year

If you opt for Koh Chang, remember it's a malarial risk area.

Try Koh Samui as it is just a flight directly from Bangkok into Samui itself. I personally have not been to this island but have been researching it recently. July is Samui's high season so should get good weather. There is heaps of accomodation and unless you get a package type deal it is cheaper to book over the internet or sometimes directly with the hotel. There are plenty of daily flights in and out of Samui so getting there won't be a problem. Try websites Sawadee.com, precision rooms, asiarooms

Some hotels that have been recommended to honeymooners are:
Sala Samui - some rooms have own plunge pools.
Le merdien - more remote part of island on a cliff. Expensive
Buri Rasia - near the main beach of Chewang- new
Napasai - a maeam beach a quiet area

there is many many more at varying prices. If you quote what you want to spend nightly someone who has been to Koh Samui will no doubt recomend good accomodation. Phuket/Krabi is rainy season in July and seas can be quite rough probably best for your honeymoon to stick to the gulf side. Although I do love the andaman side for your honeymoon you will want great weather

For that time of year I would also recommend Koh Samui, the weather will be fine and the island has a lovely tropical ambience suited for a honeymoon.
I wouldn't totally dismiss Pattaya, personally I think the "sleazy" lable is a bit unfair these days, as much has changed in recent years and Pattaya does have a lot to offer, it is also very easily reached from the capital. The heavy bar area is concentrated in Central & South Pattaya, from the Beach & Second roads to the Walking Street. But North Pattaya, Na Klua, Jomtien and further south past Jomtien are all pretty tame places.

thas for all the help guys i reallt appreciate it
ko samui does sound like a good option,
although im still inclined a little towards taking my chances in phuket, dont know why

You can get great rates in Phuket/Krabi at that time of year if you are prepared to take your chances.

Take a look at www.weatherbase.com and checks the temps and rainfall in Phuket. If you're ok with that much rain, book it. If you feel like your honeymoon would be ruined if it rained the whole time, then don't book the Phuket area. You might luck out and have some ok weather, but be prepared for the worst.