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Andaman vs Gulf: which coast, when

Southern Thailand has two coasts with opposite rainy seasons. Pick the right side for your month and you'll dodge most of the rain.

Andaman coast

Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Trang, Satun, Ranong

  1. Jan Best
  2. Feb Best
  3. Mar Best
  4. Apr Good
  5. May Mixed
  6. Jun Avoid
  7. Jul Avoid
  8. Aug Avoid
  9. Sep Avoid
  10. Oct Mixed
  11. Nov Good
  12. Dec Best

Gulf coast

Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao, Chumphon, Songkhla

  1. Jan Good
  2. Feb Best
  3. Mar Best
  4. Apr Best
  5. May Good
  6. Jun Good
  7. Jul Good
  8. Aug Good
  9. Sep Good
  10. Oct Mixed
  11. Nov Avoid
  12. Dec Mixed

Month by month

MonthAndamanGulfBetter side
January Best Good Andaman
February Best Best Either
March Best Best Either
April Good Best Gulf
May Mixed Good Gulf
June Avoid if you can Good Gulf
July Avoid if you can Good Gulf
August Avoid if you can Good Gulf
September Avoid if you can Good Gulf
October Mixed Mixed Either
November Good Avoid if you can Andaman
December Best Mixed Andaman

Andaman islands and beaches

Gulf islands and beaches

Common questions

Which side of Thailand is better in July and August?

The Gulf side. Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao are mostly dry from May to September, while the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Ko Lipe) is in its southwest monsoon with rough seas.

Which side is better in November?

The Andaman side. November is the wettest month on the Gulf islands, while Phuket, Krabi and Trang are coming into their dry season.

When are both coasts good?

Roughly January to April. Both coasts are usually dry and calm, which is also why it is the busiest and most expensive time to visit the islands.

General climate patterns from the Thai Meteorological Department (tmd.go.th). Weather varies year to year; treat this as a guide, not a forecast.