Month 8 of 12
August is in the wettest period of the year for the country (August-September, TMD; exception: the southern east coast); Maya Bay is closed from 1 August. Regions that score 'good' on rainfall in our overview: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao. Less suitable weather-wise: Similan, Surin and Koh Rok (marine parks); Ranong (Koh Phayam); Chanthaburi; and Trat, Koh Chang, Koh Kood, Koh Mak. Average rainfall ranges from 67 mm (Hua Hin) to 970 mm (Trat). Below you will find 8 beaches, 8 islands, 6 festivals and holidays, 5 temples and 8 birds for August.
August is in the wettest period of the year for the country (August-September, TMD; exception: the southern east coast); Maya Bay is closed from 1 August. Average rainfall: Phuket 287 mm, Krabi 266 mm, Koh Samui 102 mm, Hua Hin 67 mm, Pattaya 91 mm, Trat 970 mm.
Indication: the weather varies from year to year.
Average monthly rain per weather station; the bar runs from 0 to 1024 mm (the wettest month in this overview). Colour = our score for that region.
Not recommended🌊 rough sea
Very wet: Phuket (Mueang) 287 mm on 19 rainy days (monthly average). Sea: rough sea, red flags possible (SW monsoon May-Oct). Similan and Surin are closed to tourism 16 May to 14 October (2026: reopened 15 Oct); Koh Rok (Mu Ko Lanta NP) is also closed in the monsoon season.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.sme.go.th, www1.ldd.go.th, nationthailand.com, siamtourandrealty.com, tatnews.org
Fair🌊 rough sea
Changeable: Phuket (Mueang) 287 mm on 19 rainy days; Krabi 266 mm on 18 rainy days (monthly average). Sea: rough sea, red flags possible (SW monsoon May-Oct). Maya Bay is closed to landings 1 August to 30 September. DMCR lists Phuket beaches (e.g. Kata, Karon, Patong, Kamala, Nai Harn) as high-risk for big waves and rip currents May to October.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.sme.go.th, www1.ldd.go.th, asiantrails.travel, warning.dmcr.go.th, tatnews.org
Not recommended🌊 rough sea
Very wet: Ranong 772 mm on 23.8 rainy days (monthly average). Sea: rough sea, red flags possible (SW monsoon May-Oct).
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.sme.go.th, www1.ldd.go.th
Fair🌊 rough sea
Changeable: Satun 278 mm on 15.7 rainy days (monthly average). Sea: rough sea, red flags possible (SW monsoon May-Oct). In Tarutao National Marine Park the Adang-Rawi islands and dive sites are closed 1 June to 30 September (DNP 2026 notice); Koh Tarutao and Koh Lipe stay open. Fewer boats from Pak Bara 1 June to 15 Oct.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.sme.go.th, www1.ldd.go.th, nationthailand.com, thainationalparks.com, ploysiamspeedboat.com
Good🌊 calm sea
Relatively dry: Ko Samui 102 mm on 10.5 rainy days (monthly average). Sea: sea mostly calm.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.sme.go.th, www1.ldd.go.th
Fair🌊 calm sea
Changeable: Chumphon 199 mm on 16 rainy days (monthly average). Sea: sea mostly calm.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.sme.go.th, www1.ldd.go.th
Fair🌊 variable sea
Changeable: Hua Hin 67 mm on 9.7 rainy days; Prachuap Khiri Khan 99 mm on 12.2 rainy days (monthly average). Sea: changeable sea in the wet season.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.sme.go.th, www1.ldd.go.th
Fair🌊 variable sea
Changeable: Pattaya 91 mm on 9.1 rainy days; Chonburi 160 mm on 12.2 rainy days; Sattahip 95 mm on 9.8 rainy days (monthly average). Sea: changeable sea in the wet season.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.sme.go.th, www1.ldd.go.th
Fair🌊 variable sea
Changeable: Rayong 128 mm on 9.8 rainy days (monthly average). Sea: changeable sea in the wet season.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.sme.go.th, www1.ldd.go.th
Not recommended🌊 rough sea
Very wet: Chanthaburi 456 mm on 20.8 rainy days (monthly average). Sea: rougher sea and fewer boat services in the wet season. No Chanthaburi beaches or islands in our list; climate only.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.sme.go.th, www1.ldd.go.th
Not recommended🌊 rough sea
Very wet: Trat 970 mm on 24.6 rainy days (monthly average). Sea: rougher sea and fewer boat services in the wet season. Koh Mak and Koh Kood have fewer boats in the wet season; speedboats often stop. Trat is one of the wettest provinces in Thailand (>4,000 mm a year, LDD).
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.sme.go.th, www1.ldd.go.th, visit-thailand.org
Fair
Changeable: Bangkok 227 mm on 15.6 rainy days (monthly average). Bangkok climate used as a proxy for Koh Kret.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.sme.go.th, www1.ldd.go.th
Regions scored not recommended:
⛔ Closed Maya Bay: Maya Bay is closed every year from 1 August to 30 September. Swimming is not allowed.
Beaches at their best in Augustℹ️ The season score is based on average rainfall and the climate per region, not on a weather forecast. It is not a guarantee: the weather varies from year to year.
Festivals and holidays in August6 of the 6 festivals in our festival list that can fall in August.
📍 Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoen, Bangkok National
📍 Phuket Town
📍 Lamphun city
📍 Pa Hin Ngam National Park, Chaiyaphum
📍 Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
📍 Koh Samui (varying venues)
Temples to visit in August📍 Bangkok (Thonburi)
📍 Lamphun
🎉 Linked festival in August: Lamphun Longan Fair.
📍 Sakon Nakhon
Big Buddha Temple
📍 Ko Phan, Ko Samui
📍 Sangkhlaburi, Kanchanaburi
Birds to see in AugustIn our bird guide, 5 species have August in their best season, of which 0 are winter visitors or passage migrants; 56 species are present year-round. This follows from the best season listed for each species.
Hotels at beaches and islands that are good in AugustHotels listed on our beach and island pages, at a place that scores well this month.
€€ at Haad Salad
⏰ Check whether the hotel is open this month.
€ at Mae Haad & Koh Ma sandbar
⏰ Check whether the hotel is open this month.
€€€ at Thong Nai Pan Noi
⏰ Check whether the hotel is open this month.
€€ at Maenam Beach
⏰ Check whether the hotel is open this month.
€ at Sairee Beach
⏰ Check whether the hotel is open this month.
€€€ at Shark Bay (Ao Thian Og)
⏰ Check whether the hotel is open this month.
August is in the wettest period of the year for the country (August-September, TMD; exception: the southern east coast); Maya Bay is closed from 1 August. Average rainfall: Phuket 287 mm, Krabi 266 mm, Koh Samui 102 mm, Hua Hin 67 mm, Pattaya 91 mm, Trat 970 mm. Indication: the weather varies from year to year.
Based on average rainfall: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao. Good beaches this month include Silver Beach (Crystal Bay / Thong Ta Khian), Koh Nang Yuan and Bottle Beach (Haad Khuat). Closed: Maya Bay (Maya Bay is closed every year from 1 August to 30 September. Swimming is not allowed).
Examples: Mother's Day (Queen Mother's Birthday) (12 August 2027); Por Tor (Hungry Ghost Festival, Phuket) (expected early August to late August 2027); Lamphun Longan Fair (expected in August 2027); Siam Tulip Festival, Chaiyaphum (expected June-August 2027); Full Moon Party (Koh Phangan) (date varies by year). Many festivals follow the lunar calendar or are set locally each year, so dates shift.
Islands at their best in August