Weather in Phuket, Thailand in July 2013

July months saw as normal less wind and just some rain. When big tropical storms formed in the South China Sea we had stronger wind and rain, but this happen only few days and never for a long period.

As for statistic was a good month and always we suggest as a good time to visit Phuket

Coral Island late afternoon

July 2013

• 29, 30 and 31 July 2013
• 27 and 28 July 2013 
• 26 July 2013
• 25 July 2013 
• 24 July 2013 
• 23 July 2013 
• 22 July 2013 
• 19,20 and21 July 2013
• 18 July 2013 
• 17 July 2013 
• 15 and 16 July 2013 
• 13 and 14 July 2013
• 10, 11 and 12 July 2013 
• 8 and 9 July 2013 
• 6 and 7 July 2013
• 4 and 5 July 2013 
• 3 July 2013 
• 2 July 2013 
• 1 July 2013

For more about weather in Phuket all see Easy Day Thailand weather reports

Bangkok Rail link train from Suvarnabhumi Airport

Today for first time I have tried the Rail link train from Suvarnabhumi Airport to thecity center. We have already covered this topic, however it is important to keep the information updated and add some new tips.

All the details about this great service that started in 2012 can be seen on our previous post about the new train to get from and to Suvarnabhumi Airport,

The service is absolutely the best way to get from the airport but even more importantly it is the best way to get from Bangkok city center to Suvarnabhumi Airport, when people arrive in Bangkok there is not really any rush to get to the hotel, it is booked and it is there, it won't go away. So if traffic is jammed it will be just a waste of valuable holiday time but at the same time the opportunity to see real Bangkok form the car windows and take few pictures.

The real problem is when people are trapped in the traffic on the way to the airport, the flight won't wait for you. Here the train between Bangkok and the airport is the best solution. Direct, no traffic jams, runs every hour, every half hour for some lines, from 6:00 am to midnight, it is comfortable and very easy to use. It arrives right inside the airport. It is safe and in case of any emergency the airport knows about it and can handle the situation.

From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok city center with the Rail Link Train

Once you have got your luggage to the exit look for the signs to Floor B (basement), follow the signs, also there are a lot of signs for the train link itself. Once arrived on floor B, after the coffee bar there is a huge area with the Thailand Railways logo, everything is automatic and easy, however it is better to check with the information counter which line is the best solution for you.

There are three options from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok downtown

Phaya Thai Express - for me the best, even if the most expensive, directly from the terminal to Phaya Thai Station. This station is part of Bangkok's mass transport system and is the connection point with BTS the sky train, so easily in few minutes by foot and escalator you will pass from the Rail Link system to the Sky Train system that has two lines and connects to Bangkok's main center. The station is very close to Siam Plaza that is also the exchange station between the two sky train lines.

Distance is 28 Km from airport terminal to station
Travel time an amazing 17 minutes
Opening time from 6:00 till 24:00 hrs
Frequency every 60 minutes
First train from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 6:30 hrs, last depart at 23:30 hrs
Price just 90 Thai Baht per person per way

Makkasan Express -for those that stay in hotels in Sukumvith area or like to start their stay in Bangkok with shopping at the famous Pratunam (water gate) market, where you can find any kind of merchandise at incredibly cheap prices. It is a little over half the distance to Phaya thai, the express option skips all the other stops between Suvarnabhumi Airport and the Bangkok City Air Terminal (BCAT). That is what has been created at Makkasan Station, here you can also do flight check in. The station is the connection point with Bangkok Subway or MRTA, The subway runs more in a North/South direction while the Sky Train East/West.

Distance is 20 Km from airport terminal to station
Travel time 15 minutes
Opening time from 6:00 till 24:00 hrs
Frequency every 30 minutes
First train from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 6:00 hrs, last depart at 23:30 hrs
Price just 50 Thai Baht per person per way

City Line - same kind of train, clean, modern, comfortable and with aircon. This service stops at eight stations on it's way, including the two above, really depends where your hotel is or if you have a specific destination. Also for those not in a rush, like to save the penny or as me that didn't understand which train to take and the automatic ticket machines only issue tickets for this service. The City Line Train is also very useful to move in a cheap and comfortable manner in Bangkok as it serves areas that are not covered by Subway or Sky Trains. This service is the Commuters favorite one, not only because it is cheap but because it stops in many areas.

The eight stations from airport to town are:
- Lat Krabang - where you can connect with  the railway system (SRT) Eastern Line
- Ban Thap Chong - close to the motorway and another SRT Eastern Line station
- Hua Mak - near the motor way and SRT Eastern Line station
- Ramkhamhaeng - best for the Ramkhamhaeng Univeristy in Bangkok, largest open Univeristy in Thailand.
- Makkasan - here is Bangkok City Air Terminal, where can do the check in directly
- Ratchapraop - if you like shopping and like to see the huge wholesale market of Pratunam this is your station.
- Phaya Thai - the terminal, from here you can go everywhere in Bangkok, so if you are not sure which station is better for your hotel. just get here and you will easily find the way to the hotel.

Distance is 28 Km from airport terminal to last station (Phaya Thai)
Travel time 30 minutes
Opening time from 6:00 till 24:00 hrs
Frequency every 60 minutes
First train from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 6:00 hrs, last depart at 23:00 hrs
Price  depends which station you like to go so from 15 Thai Baht to 35 Thai Baht

From Bangkok city center to Suvarnabhumi Airport with the Rail Link Train

To make your way to the airport the Rail Link is best solution, you will be sure about the time you will reach the airport with no doubts. No fears of getting trapped in Bangkok's infamous traffic, in a comfortable and relaxing way you will be inside the airport and at a cheap price.

To get back to the airport I think best are the two express lines, less then 20 minutes, which gives you more time to spend seeing Bangkok. 

How to make the tickets

At every station there are automatic machines that sell tickets, simply insert the money (coins or banknotes) and the machine will return your change and token (a plastic coin).
Next to the machine there is a map, this shows you a line with the station names, check which direction you have to take and look at the two digit number in the circle, that is the price to pay. Follow the easy instructions.

Remember that tickets office are just there to change big bills into coins and to sell Express line tickets.

Whichever train you take it is surely much better than taxis and traffic.

Sky train and traffic

More on tours in Thailand at www.easydaythailand.com

Phuket Weather 29, 30 and 31 July 2013

With July we close third month of Easy Day Thailand weather reports, the months saw as normal less wind and just some rain. There has been some storm but only for two or three days. Overall sea was calm.

Relax Bay - Karon Phuket

Last three days of July we had alternation of Sun and clouds, yesterday all day large dark clouds keep forming in the sky, sometime short but intense rain falls. This morning though would have rain all day, but by midday sun was shining and when I left to Bangkok from the airport windows can see the blue sky and wonder full sea.

Sea View from the windows

Arrived in Bangkok was raining, during late afternoon wind was blowing bit stronger and wiped the tick clouds away, still very hot and humid.

About the sea don't forget that Summer is best time for diving in Phuket, water is clear, less people underwater, can combine best hotels deals with diving packages and enjoy this wonderful activity.

Phuket weather 27 and 28 July 2013

Last weekend in July was very enjoyable with sunshine all Saturday and very good weather despite some clouds on Sunday. As usual for July no rain but today bit more humidity the past few days, overall hot.

Dawn at Kathu

Sea is flat and wind is down, today we run our second sunset cruise and dinner on MV Sai Mai. As from expectation was a very pleasant late afternoon out at sea, wind was a bit stronger then morning but we found a great location behind Coral Island where enjoy snorkeling and then dinner.

Sunset from Coral Island

Coral island

Phi Phi Islands Tour - Speedboat to Phi Phi & Koh Kai

For my second trip to Phi Phi in just over a week I thought I really might have a problem with the weather, there had been rain and strong winds the day before and on arrival at Port Island Hopper on Koh Siray I was told there were 2 metre waves. Fortunately that didn't turn out to be the case and though there was a little bit of swell it was actually a fairly flat day.

The day started with the pick up and transfer into and through Phuket town and over the short bridge on to Koh Siray on Phuket east coast and then a short drive to Port Island Hopper, the tour operators private jetty. When we arrived we were checked of on a list and given a coloured sticker indicating which tour we were on, and then were were shown where we could get fresh coffee.

Route Planning

After all the mini-vans had arrived all those for the Phi Phi and Koh Kai tour were called over to map hanging on the wall and our guide explained the order of the day, as the waves were expected to get bigger as the day went on we would be going to Phi Phi first followed by a late lunch on Koh Yao before finishing the day on Koh Kai.

Then off we trooped along the Plastic floating jetty, as there were almost 30 people on the tour we had been assigned to their largest boat which is able to take 45 people and has three large engine, this means we had plenty of space on the boat.

Our Chariot for the day

The 40 minute ride was suddenly eventful when one of the customers fainted, the guide and one of the other guests, who it turns out is a trainee nurse, were very quickly on the spot and the problem was solved, after a few minutes checking whether he was OK to continue the tour we found out he had been ill for a few days and was dehydrated, so with a bottle of water and some fruit he declared himself fit to continue.

Bamboo Island

Due to this incident the tour guide, very wisely, altered our itinerary slightly visiting Bamboo Island so that those that needed to could have a 45 minute rest on the beach.  Bamboo island is a small island with a very wide beach, inland is an area of rain forest which has a small campsite and restaurant.
Back out the beach a number of people were in the water snorkelling and raving about the numbers of fish.

Fairly soon it was time to get back onto the speedboat and head to Mosquito Island, the boat moored just of the beach and the water here was very shallow and crystal clear.  Back at the port before we left fish food had been offered for sale and many people were now using this to attract the Sergeant Majors and Rabbit fish, them one of the boat crew started throwing in banana to add to the chaos.  all the time the boat's videographer was taking shots of everybody being mobbed by the fish.

Next stop was around on the south side of Phi Phi Don, Monkey Beach. As the tide was high there was

Long-tailed Macaques

very little of the beach there but the trees around it were lined with the longtail macaques which give the beach it's name.  It is said  that the ancestors of these monkeys were taken to Phi Phi to work picking coconuts and that when tourism started and the coconut plantations closed the monkeys were released and have become wild, personally I'm not sure if this is true as normally short tailed macaques are used for coconut harvesting - but who knows?

From Monkey beach we headed south over a stretch of open water to Phi Phi Lae, once we had reached the Island we started touring around the east side visiting Viking Cave, Pi Le Cove and Losamah bay before coming around the southern tip and back up the west side and into Maya bay.  The boat pulled up onto Maya Beach, we were quite lucky, there were only 5 other boats on the beach - virtually empty compared to a high season day.

A surprisingly empty Maya bay

Once on the beach we had an hour to relax, go swimming or explore.
Last time I had been on Maya beach at was almost 10 years previously, at that time there was nothing on the island, now there is a visitors centre and a park rangers camp as well as a toilet block and a restaurant.  Before the only way to the other side was a small hole in a rock wall that led through to Losamah bay, now a walkway has been  built leading to a set of steps which you can climb onto from the water of Losamah bay, this way you can get onto the Island in all weather.

Steps leading from Maya bay into Losamah bay

After a bit of time lounging on the beach it was time to head back towards Phuket and stop at Koh Yao for lunch. It was another 40 minute ride and the sea was starting to get a little bit rougher, nothing too bad but a few people were making use of the free plastic bags.

Classic Thai lunch

We pulled onto the empty beach on Koh Yao and headed to the private restaurant for our meal. The menu today was sweet and sour chicken, Green Curry, Tom yam gung, chicken and seafood kebabs and stir fried vegetables with rice and noodles.

After having plenty of time to let the food go down and enjoy the view we headed to our last stop at Koh Kai Nok, by this time everybody was quite tired so most people just settled into a beach chair and relaxed, a few  people ventured into the water for some more snorkelling.  The guide told us this island was given it's name because from above it looks like a fried egg (the island is a large rock covered in rain forest surrounded by a wide beach). After about 30 minutes we reboarded the speedboat for the last time and headed back to Phuket, in about ten minutes we were back at the jetty and into the mini-vans for our ride home.

This Phi Phi Speedboat trip is a fun and active day out getting close to all the sights, great in calm seas but only go in rough weather if you have a strong stomach.

Phuket Weather 26 July 2013

Another nice sunny day, and hopefully this weather will be stable for the weekend. Also wind calmed down and waves on shore are much smaller than last week, very good to enjoy a swim but still being careful about rip currents that could be present even with quieter sea conditions.

Welcome to Patong City

Many people are afraid to find only rainy days if they come to Phuket during low season but truth is that most days are like today, sunny with some harmless clouds passing by. Another positive note is that the popular beaches like Patong are much more enjoyable than during high season because they are not overcrowded, and do not forget that during low season all hotels are much cheaper.

Quiet Patong Beach

Kayaking day trip from Koh Samui to Angthong Marine Park

Last month I was in Koh Samui and while there I went on an excellent day tour to the Angthong Marine National Park. I am happy to recommend this tour to anyone interested in a high quality tour from Koh Samui. There are several different tours running daily from Koh Samui, most of them are speedboat tours and they are a good way to see Angthong. The tour that I went on, though, was a slow boat tour that focused on kayaking around the islands and caves of Angthong. 

Kayaking in Angthong Marine Park

The boat took a leisurely 90 minutes to reach Angthong where we moored in the north of the marine park. On the journey we had breakfast and our guide briefed us on the day's itinerary. There were about 30 guests on board, a mix of nationalities. About half the passengers were German speakers so we were divided in to team English speakers and team Deutsche speakers.  In the morning the German speaking group would kayak first while the English speakers snorkeled and in the afternoon roles would be reversed. 

The snorkeling was ok but nothing to write home about. The water is not as clear as Koh Tao although the reefs look healthy. The corals were also very shallow and a few people returned to the boat with cuts and scrapes. I would recommend Koh Tao above Angthong for a snorkeling day trip. 

Kayaking in Angthong Marine Park

The kayaking on the other hand was very nice, the rock ledges, tunnels and caverns are beautiful. Kayaking was done in pairs, as I was travelling solo I was coupled with Jasmine from the US of A. We chatted away pleasantly as we got to grips with our paddling. She took the front and me the back so most of my photos feature the back of her head :) Our group of kayaks followed our kayaking guide like ducklings following mother duck. By the time we were back on board it was lunchtime. 

Lunch was served as we cruised south through the park to the Emerald lake. I was amazed as we traveled through the park how few other boats there were around. This must be one of the most beautiful places in the World and no one is there to see it. I was there just before Koh Samui's high season so I'm sure it gets busier but still, compared with tourist numbers in Phuket it's very quiet. Our tour guide told us that he makes a special effort to avoid the other tour boats. Because it's quite a small operation they have the flexibility to change the itinerary as required. For example we arrived at the Emerald Lake just as the morning tours were leaving but before the afternoon tours arrived so we got to the top view point alone.

The Emerald lake

When we arrived back down at the beach after visiting the lake we found that our kayaks were waiting for us on the beach and the boat had moved off further south so we paddled off down the coast to meet up with it there. By the time we were back at the boat it was 3pm and time to head back to Koh Samui. Some people sun bathed, other slept or chatted among themselves. All in all a very pleasant day.

kayaks in Angthong marine park

Relaxing on the cruise home

For more information about Koh Samui tours and things to do please see out website: Koh Samui Tours

More on tours in Thailand at www.easydaythailand.com

Phuket Weather 25 July 2013

Weather got quickly to a stable situation and all day was a wonderful time to enjoy any kind of activities.

Traitrang Beach - Patong

Blue sky all day, no wind, rain or anything could bother during an holiday in Phuket.

There is always something to be aware of and this time is sunburn, after few days of bad weather everyone want to get on the beach and many like sun bathing, be carefull as air is very clear and sun is strong, so even if you feel cool and comfortable could arrive back at hotel red and burning.
have one minute fun about it

Best cure for sun burn is Aloe Vera gel, this will cool down your skin temperature, re hydrate it and will allow you too sleep well, then be careful next day.

Tritrang Beach - view to North

Day trip from Samui to Koh Tao - inspection June 2013

As part of Easy Day's policy to try all of the tours that we offer to you, I recently did a day trip from Koh Samui to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan. There are two options for this day trip. One is to travel by speedboat and the other is to go with the big boat. Both tours have exactly the same itinerary in Koh Tao, the difference is just the method of transportation. I went on the big boat tour which transports guests to Koh Nang Yuan by fast catamaran ferry then transfers them to a snorkeling boat at Koh Nang Yuan. 

Japanese Gardens beach reef, Koh Nangyuan

Most people choose the speedboat tour option for several reasons. It is slightly cheaper at 2,100 baht instead of 2,500 baht for the big boat tour. The speedboat is faster to get there, taking 1.5 hrs instead of 2 hours on the big boat. Because it's faster the speedboat tour starts one hour later so you get a bit longer to lay in bed in the morning. 

Comfortable ferry to Koh Tao

But if you don't mind an early start in the morning there are some good reasons for choosing the big boat tour. One reason is that the big boat is much more comfortable than a speedboat, especially if the sea is a bit choppy. Even small waves can make a speedboat trip jarring and the sea is rarely flat calm around Samui. The big boat rides through waves comfortably. On the big boat you have the choice of sitting on a comfy chair in the air conditioned main deck, or in the open air on the upper decks. You can move around, chat, take some refreshments and visit the bathroom. There is also a VIP saloon which you can pay 100 baht extra for if you want an even comfier seat. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is prone to motion sickness. When I asked my guide the difference between the big boat tour and the speed boat tour she told me that they were basically the same except that more people are sick on the speedboats ;)

Koh Tao snorkeling boat

My day started with pick up from my resort in Lamai beach at 6.45am. Breakfast wasn't being served at my resort that early but when I got to the boat check-in 30 minutes later there was breakfast available which consisted of ham and cheese sandwiches, coffee and a banana. I checked in and was given a wrist band to distinguish me from the ferry passengers who would be taking the same boat to Koh Tao. I also collected a mask and snorkel, two complimentary drinks vouchers and filled in the free insurance form. 

The boat departed the pier at 8am. It made a stop at Koh Phangnan pier to collect some more passengers and finally reached Koh Nang Yuan island at 10am where it dropped off us day trippers and headed on to Koh Tao. We were immediately herded on to the snorkeling boat which then moved off and around to Lighthouse reef, Koh Tao. 

Easy to get on and off the snorkeling boat

The boat that is used as the platform for snorkeling in Koh Tao is also a big, stable vessel. It has a big rear platform and ladders for easy entry and exit from the water. It's ideal for inexperienced snorkelers who can just stay close the boat or play with the floats that the staff put in the water near the boat. The snorkeling guides are excellent at helping people who have never snorkeled before. They can also tell the more experienced snorkelers where to go to see the bigger fish. I would recommend this trip to inexperienced snorkelers or anyone with children. There are fresh water showers on board the snorkeling boat. There are life jackets of all sizes. The masks and snorkels provided are good quality.

On the day that I was aboard there were about 20 other snorkelers, most of them Thai or Chinese nationality. The boat wasn't crowded, it could have taken a lot more people. The Thai guides gave briefings in Thai but also in English. Their English was excellent. There was also a friendly Yorkshire lass on the boat as the English guide.

Floatation aids for inexperienced snorkelers

Once at the reef we were free to snorkel and swim for about 1.45 hrs. Life jackets were provided for anyone who needed them. In the water it was easy to swim a short distance from the boat and be alone, away from the other snorkelers. The upper deck of the boat was basically a big sun deck with deck chairs lined along it. It was also a great place to jump in to the water. 

I was very impressed with the clarity of the water around Koh Tao, as well as the healthiness of the coral and the abundance of fish. I have previously scuba dived at Koh Tao and can say that I saw more while snorkeling than I did when diving.

Lighthouse bay, Koh Tao

At midday the boat took us back to Koh Nang Yuan Island where a very tasty buffet lunch was served. The island was full of tourists from other tours as well but that didn't take away from the beauty of the setting for me. After lunch I made the 5 minute hike up to the view point and took a few photos then headed to the beach. 

Koh Nang Yuan buffet lunch

5 minutes walk up to the view point

View from the view point

The snorkeling just off the beach is excellent, may be the best beach snorkeling in Thailand? At first I wasn't sure which beach to snorkel from but a guide pointed me towards the Japanese Gardens reef. The tour guides walk around the beach all afternoon helping anyone who needs it and taking photos, they are very friendly and helpful. 

Koh Nang Yuan Beach

At 2.30pm they called us back to the boat for transfer back to Koh Samui. I was back at my resort by 5.30pm. Over all it was an excellent day trip that I would recommend.

For more Samui tours please visit our website here: Koh Samui Tours

More on tours in Thailand at www.easydaythailand.com

Phuket weather 24 July 2013

Heavy rain all night and during morning, so couldn't dream better for second part of teh day when sky became blue and sun was shining.

Rain in the morning in Kathu

Never feel too bad in the morning if you have booked something, weather at tropics can change during the day bringing in beautiful surprises. Don't forget that could also start good and end up in rain, however is always enjoy at best.

A good option is to book a late departure tour, such as our new launched sunset cruise in Phuket, a bit more than half day tour as included a fantastic dinner on our renewed boat MV Sai Mai. This way can see the weather evolution during the day, fully enjoy your hotel facilities and give an easy answer to the question "what we do this evening and where we go for dinner?". And as said sky opened and clouds left space for sunshine.

Clear Sky sailing out for sunset cruise

Get the three in one option, half day tour on boat in the afternoon, enjoy the sunset from a privileged point of view and great on board set menu dinner. not less important still back on time to enjoy night life.

Sun set at Koh Keao Yai - Phuket

Sailing to Coral Island at sunset

Phuket Weather 23 July 2012 - Khao Pansa Day

Today is first day of Buddhist Lent, Pansa in Thai language, from now for three lunar mounts the Monks will stay in the temples, this is because is the start of the rain period, Sop they will spend more time on meditation. on Khao Pansa Day also many Thai male that haven't done yet their Monkshood period enter the temples.

Weather is on line with this, rain start falling heavily last night and was raining all day long, with some sun strays between midday and afternoon. In the morning wind was sometime strong and waves offshore during storms could be around two meters.

Patong Beach - high tide

being a Thailand public holidays many people enjoyed Khao Pansa Day resting, perfect with air cooled by rain. No alcohol sales and may restaurants will be closed.

From tomorrow weather should improve to then go to sunshine and now wind by the weekend.

Phuket weather 22 July 2013 - Asarnha Bucha Day

Today is Thailand public holidays as it is Asarnha Bucha Day, this also means we are at the 15th night of the eighth month of the Buddhist Lunar calendar.

Kathu Chinese Shrine

So how was the weather for those that have a day off? Not so bad, wind in the morning was strong and blew all clouds then it went down after mid day, leaving a clear sky and a surprising flat sea.

Low tide at Patong Beach - 22 July 2013

Today is the celebration of Lord Buddha first sermon, is a day for relax and celebration before enter the three months Buddhist Lent. So also at Kathu everything was ready for celebration, parade started with bands, costumes and authority dressed for the event... but a storm came from West and over the hills, despite short rain it was strong and the procession almost dissolved, everyone looked for a shelter waiting for the rain to stop.

Kalim Beach - storm coming from sea

One of the band under the rain

Kathu - waiting for rain to stop

Asalha Bucha Day anyway is holidays so soon everyone was enjoying the food stalls and shopping at the markets. And if you are on holidays is a perfect day for an Island tour and see a bite of real local life.

Kathu - the procession start again

After rain the band regroup

Phuket weather 19-20 and 21 July 2013

Another week end without rain or storms as it was from forecasts, likely, wind is still stronger than usual but not dangerous or too strong.

During Friday and Saturday was sunshine for all day and the wind kept air fresh, so very good condition. As usual a lot of people down the beaches to enjoy the sun and playing with waves.

Karon Beach - Phuket

During change in tide waves are bigger this weekend because of full moon, so be careful and stay in shallow water.

Full Moon at Coral Island

This morning a renewed MV Sai Mai was ready to sail for three days to Phi Phi, however waves offshore can be higher then 1.5 meters so customers decided to get to Racha Yai instead.
Today sky was cover in clouds but it didn't rain.

MV Sai Mai ready to go