Hi! I'm planning my first trip to SEA with a friend and unfortunately the only time we can go will be during the last week of May to early July. Seeing as this is the rainy season for Thailand (where we were hoping to stay for the majority of our trip) I was wondering if anyone can give us any insight into the rainy season. I've read that the rain storms are usually very heavy but don't last for very long (downpour for an hour or two every afternoon but then sunny skies the rest of the time). My question is if this is true, can we still make a great vacation of it as long as we prepare for short bouts of rain? Or am I reading this wrong and it's actually pouring rain all day long? We are mostly interested in seeing cultural sites (temples, etc), seeing wildlife, enjoying the food and seeing the beaches.

Does anyone have experience in Thailand in June?

I want to make a stop in Bali for a week at least and I know that is the dry season there so at least part of the trip will be dry.

Take a look at www.weatherbase.com for historical weather information. As you will note, June is certainly not the rainiest month in any part of Thailand. If you want a beach in Thailand, Hua Hin will be driest, followed by Koh Samui. The Phuket area will be wettest.

That said, my experience is that it rarely rains all day. You need to be prepared for wet weather, but it won't be wet all of the time.

I normally visit my daughter in Cambodia in June - July and it rains sometimes. I've gone for days without any rain and then the heavens open and it pours. As you say its very heavy for half an hour or so and then stops. Also its often in one area only. A couple of years ago it bucketed down out at Angkor as we were starting to head back to Siem Reap. In town there hadn't been any rain at all.

I've found weather in Laos to be a bit the same. It shouldn't spoil your holiday. If you do get caught in a downpour somebody will be happy to sell you a $1 single use rain poncho. Or you could buy one just in case.

Thanks Kathie and Silvewool! This is exactly what I was hoping to hear! As long as it's not pouring rain all day long then we will enjoy ourselves

Have a great trip.

Hi Brooke,
My friend and I are planning a trip to SEA (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia) from late May to early June just as you did. I have similar concerns regarding the weather. I wonder how your trip ending up working out? How was the weather during your travel? Thanks!

Basically you should be OK in Thailand....here is a great weather map for Thailand - will give you a good picture in different l9cations at a click......

some of the islands may close some of their facilities if the rain kicks in...

I also would get a forercast before venturing into some areas of Laos...as roads can get washed away in some areas and travel gets difficult

Unless there's a typhoon, it's very unlikely to be raining for a whole day in June. Rain will pour occasionally. I think you could still enjoy and be able to maximise your trip fully. This is actually the month where the views in Thailand are at their best IMO. Beautifully green!