Gina_07

We are planning a family trip to Thailand and were thinking about the second half of December 2010, which seems to be the most expensive time. We just found out about a conference that takes place in BKK at the end of June/beginning of July. It will cost less to go in the summer, plus a part of the trip for me and my husband will be covered if we participate in the conference.

We know that the weather is much nicer in December but how uncomfortable is it in July? How does it compare to the weather in Japan? We were in Japan around that time and it was ok but, I believe, it is more humid In Thailand. If we are going to be miserable, we'd rather pay the extra money and go in December. Thanks in advance for the information.

Hanuman

If you come in December you will most likely be able to do excursions or tour the whole day and night(if you wish) since the weather will be much more cooler and less humid. In July most people avoid the heat during mid day and the occasional rain or thunderstorm in the afternoon unless you're unlucky and come during a period of prolong rain which does happen during the monsoon months.

I highly recommend you come in December if the extra cost does not affect you too much.

Kathie

It depends on your tolerance for the heat, humidity and very direct sun. Depending on what you plan to do, July could be fine or it could really be difficult for you. Where did you want to go in Thailand? What activities are you interested in?

rhkkmk

i have been in thailand up till the 3rd week of june on two recent years...we found it hot, but not that much hotter than in november/december.....we have been in bkk then and also at the beach areas.. i personally would want to stay away at christmas time because of costs and crowding...unless you were only going up country and to bkk....

MichaelBKK

Heat-wise, March and April tend to be the most uncomfortable months. By June / July the rains have started, so it tends to be more comfortable. Bangkok can be enjoyed at just about any time of year (this month tends to be the 'worst' due to flood waters from the north) but where else in Thailand do you want to go?

Gina_07

Thanks a lot for the comments. We would like to go to BKK, definitely, and do some sightseeing and day trips. We would also like to go to a beach destination such as Phuket or somewhere else to relax. My husband has lower tolerance for heat than I do but he did fine in Japan in the same season two years ago. So if the two countries are somewhat similar, then it is ok. However, besides heat and humidity there is the rain issue. If it rains a lot, we will not be able to go around and do much, I guess.

Hanuman

Phuket in July is not that nice as well. Rough seas but cheaper hotels.

December will be more comfortable with little chance of rain. If you choose July and you are unlucky enough to have prolonged rain then you will onlly have few options.

seagypsy

I'll vote December. Even better, if you can arrive earlier than the beginning of Dec. and return after the New Year's. Once December rolls in, many airlines raise their international airfares to Bangkok/SEA.

Mango7

Its like night and day!

MichaelBKK

Umm...have you looked at a map?? There's a huge difference in latitude between Japan and Thailand. Average high temperature for Tokyo in June is 24 C, in Phuket it's 32 - a lot hotter.

Samui is relatively drier in June/July than Phuket.

Cicerone

I have lived in tropical and semi-tropical places for about 15 years, and my experience with people who are not used to tropical weather is that they notice very little difference in the “winter” and “summer” months. Japan of course is not tropical, but has summertime relative humidity which is in the same range as Bangkok in the summer months. However, they have significantly lower summer temperatures, which makes it hard to compare the two I would say. If its humid but only in the mid 70s F, that is quite a bit different from being humid and in the mid 90s F.

That being said, I used to live in Singapore and in the “cooler” winter months like December I needed a sweater to sit outside, my visiting friends would be sweating no matter what. So really IMO I don’t think you will notice an appreciable difference in a place like Bangkok. The temperature difference in Thailand between December and July is only about 6 degrees (79 F in December versus 85 F in June), and the average humidity is also pretty constant at 74% and 78% respectively, except of course when it is raining, which is more frequent in the summer months I will agree.

As noted above, Phuket would be quite rainy in June and esp. July, but you would find east coast places like Koh Samui to be in good weather at that time, as would the lovely east coast of Malaysia. I agree that you probably would find Bangkok to be rainy, so if you holiday would be spoiled by rain, or you plan outdoor activities in the northern part of Thailand, then you may want to go in the winter months. IMO it makes little difference in Bangkok whether it rains or not, your activites are not centered on the outdoors. (It would make a difference to a beach or mountain hiking trip of course.) The plus side to going in rainier months is that there is cloud cover from the rather brutal sun. (Which is part of the reason March and April are so tough, it’s sunny and the heat is helping to build up to the rainy season.) As you have found, December is quite expensive, esp if you mean around Christmas time. If you can plan a trip which would end about a week before Christmas, you should find prices to be lower. Phuket would be in quite good weather at that time. It’s really kind of a toss-up.

Gpanda

The weather will be better in CDecember, but it will be more crowded and more expensive. December is the high season because the weather is better. No coincidence. Having said that, June/July is doable with a few adjustments. For that time, skip Phuket and go to Ko Samui or Hua Hin. Be prepared for some rain in BKK. Check out Weatherbase.com to get an idea of temperature and precipitation levels.

tengohambre

Is it the case that August is just about the same as July for BKK weather? Or, more rain and more humidity, if that's possible? Thanks.