Phang Nga Climate

Phang Nga has three seasons. The cool season (actually quite hot), the hot season (very hot), and the rainy season (hot and wet). The climate is dictated by the monsoon winds. That is the direction of the prevailing winds caused by the difference in the way oceans and land retain heat.

During the summer from April to October, the great land mass of Asia is warmer than the ocean. The colder, heavier air over the Indian Ocean pushes into the warm air over the continental land mass. This causes the prevailing winds to come from the southwest over the Indian Ocean, bringing lots of warm moist air and rain to Phang Nga.

As the Asian continent cools from November to April, the ocean becomes warmer than the land. The prevailing wind direction changes to come from the northeast. That is from the great land mass of China bringing cooler, drier air and good weather to Phang Nga.

The result is a fairly predictable weather pattern.

The Cool Season

The cool season is from November to early February. The northeast winds start sometime in November bringing an end to the rainy season. The cool season is the best time of year to visit Phang Nga. There is lots of blue sky, very little rainfall, lower humidity and the temperatures are comfortably hot. This is Phang Nga's high-season with the peak of visitors coming over the Christmas and New Year period.

The Hot Season

The hot season is from mid February to early May. The weather is dry and the skies blue but some people find the temperature is a little too hot for comfort. This is mid-season for Phang Nga. There are still a lot of visitors but the hotels start to lower their rates around this period as demand drops.

The Rainy Season

Ranong province directly to the north of Phang Nga has the highest rainfall in Thailand. Phang Nga is also in the direct path of the rainy season monsoon winds that come across the sea from the west and is the second wettest province in Thailand. This isn’t actually a big problem. It does give Phang Nga its wonderful verdant rainforest and there is still plenty of sunshine.

The monsoon winds from the southwest start in April or May and bring the rain. The highest rainfall comes in September and October. In these months it can rain for long periods. These three months are not the time of year to come if you want sun or outdoor activities. However, May, June and July are good months to visit. During these three months, there will be plenty of rain but it usually falls in short heavy bursts. In between, the weather is pleasant with comfortable temperatures and a cooling breeze. There will often be periods of several days without any rain.

The six months of the rainy season are Phang Nga's low-season and the area is generally very quiet over this period. Hotel rates are slashed and you can get lower prices from tour operators, vehicle rentals, boat trips, etc. The months June, July and August are still a popular time to visit as people take advantage of the low season prices. September and October are very quiet as it is just too wet for most people.

One important warning. The rainy season winds bring large waves and dangerous undercurrents to Phang Nga's western beaches. Every year there are drownings during Phang Nga's rainy season. Red flags are raised on the beaches to warn of dangerous conditions. Do not swim in the sea if there are red flags.

December to March is dry and sunny. May to October is rainy with August to October having the most rainfall. April and November are transitional months where you can not be certain exactly when the rainy season will start or end.

Temperatures in Phang Nga are fairly constant throughout the year. The average high temperature ranges between 31 and 34 degrees centigrade. The average low temperature ranges between 22 and 24 degrees centigrade. The months March and April can be a little too hot for comfort.

Throughout the year the Province has a relatively high humidity due to the influence of the monsoon season and the terrain near the sea. Annual average relative humidity is about 83%. Maximum relative humidity is 95% in October. Minimum humidity is 28% in March. Humidity levels are distinctly lower from December through to March. During the rainy season, humidity levels are high and it can feel a little clammy but generally, when it is not raining it is comfortable.

Month by Month Breakdown

January
It is generally beautiful. Lots of blue sky, very little rainfall and temperatures are comfortably hot.

February
It is generally beautiful. There is lots of blue sky and very little rainfall. The temperatures are starting to rise to hot levels towards the end of this month.

March
It will be beautiful but the temperature starts to get a little too hot for some people's liking. This is Phang Nga's hottest month of the year. There is lots of blue sky and very little rainfall.

April
Temperatures contine to be hot. The month starts with plenty of blue sky but usually, at some point towards the end of this month the rainy season arrives.

May
The rainy season arrives. It will rain often and sometimes for long periods. On the plus side, the temperature drops back to more comfortable levels.

June
The rainy season is here but it settles down to a less intense leveel than May. It will rain often but usually they are only short downpours. There are often several days without rain and there is some blue sky in the breaks. Temperatures are comfortable with a cooling breeze.

July
The rainy season continues. The downpours are an inconvenience but not a major annoyance. There may be several days without rain and there is a little blue sky in the breaks. Temperatures are comfortable with a cooling breeze.

August
The rainy season continues and picks up in intensity with more regular downpours. Still there may be several days without rain and some blue sky in the breaks. Temperatures are comfortable with a cooling breeze.

September
This is the second wettest month of the year. It will rain often and sometimes for long periods. There will be very little blue sky. This is the coolest month of the year although average high temperatures are still close to 31 degrees centigrade.

October
The rainy season continues to soak Phang Nga. This is the wettest month of the year. It will rain often and sometimes for long periods. There will be very little blue sky.

November
This is the official start of the high season. At some point in this month the rains should stop. There will still be showers and the occasional heavy downpour but the main rains have finished. The sky will be a mixture of cloud and blue. Temperatures start to pick up towards the comfortably hot high season level.

December
The high season and the crowds are well and truly here. There will be an occasional shower and perhaps even a few heavy downpours but generally, it is dry. The sky is mostly blue but there is still plenty of passing white cloud. The temperatures are now reaching the thirties.

Having stated that the weather patterns in Phang Nga are predictable, there have been exceptions. Years 2005 and 2010 both saw the rains hang around all the way through to Christmas and the New Year - putting a damper on a lot of people's holidays. Is this a sign of things to come? An effect of global warming? Who knows? Certainly weather patterns around the world seem to be less predictable.