Bangkok vs. Samui Weather

The Koh Samui weather looks great from here (Photo Courtesy of www.shasahotels.com)

Koh Samui may be an island in Thailand, but that doesn’t mean the island has a similar weather with, say, Bangkok. Samui weather is different as the island sits on the Gulf Coast toward the east; hence, Koh Samui experiences the effects of the northeast monsoon.

Bangkok, on the other hand, has a hot and perpetually sunny weather. The city’s regular year round temperatures is around 30°C. If you have an aversion to heat, avoid setting foot in Bangkok from March until July, this is when the city is at its hottest and driest, an event that coincides with its busiest time since this is when most travellers decide to go to the city. This dry period also raises the humidity levels in Bangkok. If you’re in the city during April and May, expect to also feel stickier due to the humidity.

Samui weather is at its warmest from March to September. While it doesn’t get stifling hot, the sun comes out a lot during these months, raising temperatures to as much as 40°C. This event occurs particularly from March to May. Rain also becomes a rare occurrence in these three months. In June to September, Koh Samui gets the occasional rainfall but nothing intense and prolonged.

The rainy season in Bangkok begins in June and ends in October. The rainfall pattern is unpredictable; rain showers can either last for a few minutes or an entire day. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are also common occurrences. If you have to be in Bangkok during its rainy season, make sure you pack a good amount of rain gear with you.

In Koh Samui, the rainy season takes place from October to December. Samui weather begins to clear up at around late December, when the sun begins to make its appearance. Note that the waters surrounding Koh Samui can get very rough during these three months. If you have a thing for water sports and want to give the Koh Samui waters a try, avoid scheduling your trip to the island during the wet season.

The best time to go to Bangkok is between November and January, when the city is at its coolest. For Koh Samui, it’s best to make a trip from January to February. At this time, Samui weather is neither too hot nor cold, making it the perfect weather to tour around the famed island