Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Resort Town Personalities
The personality of a Thai resort town depends a lot on the prices. In places where
midrange options dominate, you'll usually find package tourists, rows of beach loungers
and umbrellas along the beach, and plenty of big boats full of snorkelling tours.
At upscale places things settle down. The ritzier beaches of Phuket like Surin and Ao
Ban Tao are among the quieter on the island yet still have plenty of dining and cocktail op-
tions. Ko Kut off the eastern seaboard has lovely resorts on some of the country's most un-
spoiled beaches, while the more secluded beaches of northeastern Ko Samui have some of
the most luxurious resorts in Thailand. Once you go very high end, privacy and seclusion
become a bigger part of the picture.
There are a few remaining beach huts that are often found on some of the country's
most secluded beaches. See our Off The Beaten Track feature for details.
WHEN TO GO
REGION
JAN-MAR
APR-JUN
JUL-SEP
OCT-DEC
Hot and humid rainy
season
Cooler towards Decem-
ber
Bangkok
Hotter towards March
Eastern Sea-
board
Peak season; thins to-
wards March
Rainy season begins
in May
Some islands close for
the monsoon
Cooler weather; low
hotel rates
Southern
Gulf
Occasional rains and
strong winds
Occasional rains and
strong winds
Hot and dry
Hot and dry
Monsoon and rough
waters
Lower Gulf
Clear and sunny
Hot and dry
Clear and sunny
Northern
Andaman
High season; high
prices
Fringe season with
iffy weather
Rainy season and surf
season
High season picks up
again
Southern
Andaman
Monsoons usually be-
gin in May
Some resorts close for
rainy season
Crowds return with the
sun
High season
