Koh Samui in July? Weather, events and more

May 012012
 

Apparently, there’s an invented holiday called Hammock Day. Just one? Na – if you’re excited to be visiting Koh Samui this July, circle the calendar as Hammock Month. With assuredly glorious temperatures, plenty of sunshine and – this year – the Olympics to enjoy while sipping your Singha, it doesn’t get better than Koh Samui in July. Just a few things to look forward to:

What’s on: Koh Samui in July

Not too much in the way of big island events in July 2012, but perhaps you’re importing celebrations of your own? July is a popular time for weddings and honeymoons – if you’re in that lucky demographic, congrats!

Non-Thai national holidays in July include:

  • July 1: July 1st is Canada Day. If, to you, this means beer and BBQ – try The Shack, a great restaurant in Fisherman’s Village. (Or check out our Koh Samui Guide for pages of restaurant recommendations and self-catering advice).
  • July 4: And, indeed, the fourth means Independence Day for Americans. (For a taste of home around happy hour, perhaps try Fisherman’s Village pub The Frog & Gecko – co-owned by an American, you might be in luck).

If you need to satisfy a fireworks urge to personally celebrate either occasion, consider heading to a beach like Bophut or Choeng Mon after dark and finding a vendor selling a candlelit paper lantern. A very Thai way to celebrate whatever needs must! Get details and more ideas for Koh Samui nightlife.

Elsewhere in the world, the end of July means the start of the 2012 London Olympics.

  • July 27: Summer Olympics opening ceremonies (see the Wiki about Thai athletes participating). With Thailand 6 hours ahead of London, you’ll easily accommodate as much or as little Olympic obsession as suits, with no imposition on your beach time. Dozens of pubs and restaurants show international sports – you can even choose a bar to match the country you’ll support. Otherwise, most resorts offer satellite and/or cable TV to catch bits and pieces from your room.

Koh Samui weather in July

Koh Samui’s average July temperature from 2008-2011? A more-than-acceptable 29.25 degrees Celsius (84.65 degrees Fahrenheit)*. The coldest it ever dropped was 23 degrees – not exactly jeans weather, even then. If you read much about Koh Samui in July, you’ll probably see the phrase “afternoon rain shower” – nothing to fret about! Learn more about Koh Samui’s weather, and why you’ll love the occasional tropical shower. Then, read up on recommended rainy activities while nature waters this island jungle. Seriously – rain – not a problem. It will be sunny plenty of the time (especially if you come prepared with great beach books).

Need help planning the rest of your trip?

If you’re excited beyond belief, but still have questions – definitely take a look at our Koh Samui Guide. You can download it instantly in PDF or Kindle formats, and consider your trip-planning complete (we even help you pack!).

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* Source: Wunderground

Happy Songkran! Enjoying Thailand’s favourite holiday

Mar 292012
 

If you’re not in Thailand for Songkran (coming up April 13th), you’ll see news reports of Thais having much more fun than you. Be jealous – this is a country that excels in sanuk (having fun). Songkran’s soggy festivities mark the much-anticipated Thai New Year, rightly celebrated in the hottest part of the year with lots and lots of water. Get excited, and get ready!

Here’s a six-fold round-up of everything you need to enjoy Songkran in Thailand. (Click on any photo below). Continue reading »

Koh Samui in September: weather, events, and more!

Mar 162012
 

Samui in September = really, truly gorgeous weather. Don’t tell Santa (or Songkran) but it’s our favourite month of Koh Samui’s climate. Better still? After August, almost everyone else has returned to the real world with school and job commitments – you’ve got the beaches to yourself, and still a wide margin of weather safety until rainy season shows up sometime in October.

Yep – that’s our verdict. Koh Samui in September is a genius move. Here’s what to know, and what to do! Continue reading »

How to best enjoy Songkran? A festival primer.

Jan 242012
 

Songkran – the water festival – will be among the most memorable festivals you ever experience. Only in Thailand do cheerfulness and cheekiness collide – in full litres and gallons – with such spontaneous celebration. Though there’s much more to the Thai new year, its full day of water fights can’t be missed.

How and why to join in? April in Samui is the hottest time of year and it’s all done in good fun – you might quite like to get wet. Continue reading »

Koh Samui Songkran 2012: what to expect?

Jan 142012
 

Songkran is the Thai new year, celebrated annually with a water festival between 13 and 15 April. A true highlight of Samui’s event calendar, Koh Samui takes Songkran as “seriously” as the rest of Thailand – a deluge of good-spirited fun, best experienced up close, in person and without reservation.

koh samui songkran 2012

Songkran on Koh Samui: what to know?

1. Songkran is wet, wild and ridiculous. As with most things, Thais celebrate their new year in a “go big or go home” fashion. Farangs (foreigners) might know Songkran as the water festival, as water is believed to wash away bad luck. What began as a gentle pouring of water over family and friends’ hands or shoulders is now a country-wide free for all. Many Thais opt for full bucket measurements.

Ladies, beware of white shirts. Continue reading »

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Coming in May? Samui events & climate.

Jan 132012
 

For those of you lucky enough to be hitting Samui’s sunny shores this May – you’ve got a few treats in store. Thailand has a healthy dose of public holidays – at least 14 by our count [compared to the UK's meagre 8] – and May has a good few.

What’s on: Koh Samui in May.
  • May 1: First, on May 1st, is Labour Day. (Expect banks & many shops to be closed).
  • May 5: Next, on May 5th, is Coronation Day and celebrations last for a few days. Continue reading »
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Koh Samui Christmas: what to bring, what to expect?

Jan 052012
 

A new and improved white Christmas? With some planning and a measure of good cheer, a Koh Samui Christmas could become your family’s default holiday preference. Breakfast on the beach, followed by presents? A beautiful day together, then Christmas dinner – that someone else cooks and cleans up? If you distill ‘the important bits’ – whatever that might be to your family – you can have your Christmas pudding & eat it too. Here’s why a Koh Samui Christmas is our favourite kind.

What’s Koh Samui’s weather at Christmas? November is Koh Samui’s rainy season, which can run into December. However, by the end of the month, Koh Samui Christmas weather should be hot days and lots of sun. (“Should“. Christmas Day 2011 was rough seas and a big breeze – no swimming off the mince pies). If you’ve come from somewhere cold, you might not care – “bad” weather in Samui still means shorts & T-shirts. Continue reading »

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