Would you go to Thailand in July/August?

[Againagainonrinse]

I know it's the rainy season. I wondered if this really affected others' enjoyment if they went to Thailand during these months. I really want to go back but it's the only time we can go as a family.

We had our honeymoon at the end of July in Thailand, it was fine. Did the classic Bangkok, Chiang-mi, Koh Samui. We had a couple of tropical down pours in Koh Samui but that was it.

Oh great, thanks. Was the sea ok? Not filthy (from the rainwater washing all the plastics down) and not full of jellyfish? And was the weather nice?

Hope you had a great honeymoon!

It’s a brilliant time to go. You can almost set your watch by the rain- mega heavy for a few minutes and then it clears, and it’s fresher and cooler afterwards. In my experience anyway!

Rubbish wise… I’m not sure the time of year makes much difference. Unfortunately it can be a very dirty / polluter place. Just have to choose a resort wisely if that’s important to you. Lots of them clear the beach everyday.

Yes, I did. It rained but only for about an hour a day. The rest of the time was fine.

We did a few years ago - didn't see any rain at all in Bangkok or Koh Samui but did get rain every day in Khao Lak. As others have said though, it was a massive downpour for a few short minutes and then cleared away very quickly. Certainly didn't stop us doing anything and we did enjoy the experience as we'd not seen anything like it before.

Have a fantastic time - it was our favourite ever family holiday!

I wouldn't recommend it, especially when there are other countries to visit at that time of year where there won't be daily torrential downpours.

We've been at that time of year and got a downpour each afternoon but generally the weather was lovely. I think the west coast is wetter though.

I went in August. Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui.
It rained almost every day, but as pp says, you could set your clock for it and it never lasted.

We went to Bangkok and Koh Samui in July (a few years ago) and had the occasional downpour, but always over quickly, and I love a tropical downpour!

Not been to Thailand but I've been to a neighbouring country at that time of year and it was lovely. The rain freshened the air a bit and the thunderstorms were beautiful. I would check whether there's a risk of flooding though as that could put a spanner in any plans to travel around the country once you're there - I wouldn't let it stop you if there is but at least f you know you'll be prepared to be flexible.

Thanks all! Recommendations for any particular islands to go to in July/August welcome

You will get plenty of sun but do be aware that seas will likely be too dangerous for swimming. It will be a pool holiday.

Why will the seas be too dangerous for swimming?

That wasn't my experience at all

If you go to ko Samui you will be less affected than Krabi/Phuket where it really pores down! Though ko Samui is my least favorite place in Thailand that I have visited.

We went to Phuket this August and it was wonderful! The first 3 days it didn't rain at all. After that it rained every day but usually just one 10 minute burst. It was still very warm so no problem.

Only one day did it rain several times, but again short bursts. We did everything we planned, rain didn't change anything.

We did swim in the sea. It was rough in our resort so you couldn't go far out but went on some fab boat trips where we were taken to safe swimming and snorkeling spots.

Brilliant holiday. The fact of it being rainy season meant resort not crowded, plenty of sunbeds, choice of tables at breakfast etc.

We went in August - same itinerary as some other posters - Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui. Didn't rain every day but when it did it was spectacular! Had the best holiday ever.

Stayed in the Cape Fahn hotel in Koh Samui on its own private island. What an experience!

Thailand is large country, are we taking islands? As much as rain it also depends how you like humidity. My experience during (late) rainy season was really y humidity. It was a relief when the downpour came which mostly didn’t last long.

I travelled around for 4 months so for me it wasn’t a deal breaker but I wouldn’t choose to go during rainy season. Had a very sketchy boat trip on the east coast islands as well due to high winds and rain. Some trains also cancelled.

It really isn't always just a case of a 15 min downpour and then it's over. I was in Phuket recently and it rained almost solidly for 5 days. Even when it wasn't raining, there were some beaches where no one was allowed in the sea at all because of the dangerous currents. 4 people drowned in the space of just 2 weeks in July this year:

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2346893/honeymooner-rescuer-both-drown-at-phuket-beach

https://www.thephuketnews.com/vietnamese-mother-daughter-drown-at-phuket-beach-85095.php

We did Koh Lanta in July/August. Yes, it rained, but not every day and no impact on our holiday at all. We also swam in the sea, went sea kayaking etc.
There was only 1 day where the heavens opened for about 3 hours - I got "stuck" in the hotel spa, so ended up having extra massages etc. Funnily enough I did not mind in the slightest.

Oh that's awful about people drowning. But also odd how one of you was in Phuket and virtually no rain, the other had solid rain for 5 days!

Yes definitely go!

If you are going for the beach avoid the west coast like Phuket and Krabi. You may be lucky and have good weather but seas could be rough. We went one year to Krabi and could do most of our cultural activities, but a couple of boat trips were rescheduled. We did do them though. Our travel company has warned us before, but we really wanted to go to Krabi and could only travel in August!

We went another year and did mainly nature and cultural activities with just a few days of beach at the end and had fantastic weather. We took their advice this time! We travelled with Tell Tale Travel. We’ve since been to Sri Lanka with them. We went to Koh Samet, I don’t think they do Koh Samui I remember them saying they prefer Samet. They also had another island my friend took her kids to it was a private island I can’t remember the name but not some posh exclusive one, she raved about it. Her son was taking about it the other day and they must have gone five years ago.

I’ve been twice, April and July.
I found the humidity in Bangkok in July really oppressive compared to April.
We did Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan in the July and yes it rained most days but wasn’t too bad, still swam in the sea and don’t recall jelly fish.
We did Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta in the April and we had rain a couple of times including an absolutely stunning thunder storm one evening.

Has anyone been to Thailand in July..... is the weather OK or is there too much rain.

From experience only please