Phuket is the province of Thailand that occupies the island of same name. It is situated in the Indian Ocean near western coast of the country. And also Phuket is the biggest Thai island. It is 50 km (31 mi.) long and 21 km (13 mi.) wide. Most of islands territory is highland plateau with elevation of 500 m (1640 ft). Coastal regions are plain. Vast mangrove forests are on northern and north-eastern edges of the island.

The island lies in the zone of subequatorial climate, so there are minor seasonal shifts of temperature, so local seasons are defined by winds and rains rather than by temperature. Along with torrential rainfall (more intense than in inland localities) during summer months there are dangerous undercurrents that may be even lethal.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Phuket

Spring is the hottest season on Phuket. Daytime temperature sits around 33 °C (91 °F) and evening average grows from 23 °C (73 °F) in March to 25 °C (77 °F) in May. First month of spring is relatively dry, but in April monsoon winds are rising. This is the transitional period. Amount of rainfall is three times lower than at the peak of rainy season, but relative air humidity is high enough to make afternoon heat unbearable.

In May rainy season reveals its true nature. Around 20 days on this month are rainy. Usually it rains at night, but sometimes shower lasts until noon of next day. Tall waves at western coast of the island are attracting surfers. Also risk of sunburns is high even despite thick cloud cover, so hat, sunscreen and proper hydration are necessary.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +29 °C (85 °F) Min average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 84 mm (3.3")

April Max average t°: +29 °C (85 °F) Min average t°: +26.5 °C (80 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 14 days Precipitation: 131 mm (5.2")

May Max average t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Min average t°: +26.5 °C (80 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 18 days Precipitation: 281 mm (11.1")

Spring Holidays

March – Thao Thep Krasatri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival.
March 13 – National Elephant Day.

April – Seafood Festival.
April 6 – Chakri Memorial Day.
April 13 – Turtle Release Fair, The legend of the Songkran Goddess.
April 13-15 – Songkran Festival.

May – Royal Ploughing Ceremony and Farmer’s Day.
May (full moon in 6th Thai lunar month) – Vesak.
May 1 – Labor Day.

Summer in Phuket

There are three words that describe summer on Phuket: hot, rainy and windy. Actually days are bit cooler than they were in spring, though level of air humidity is at its highest point. Such weather is hardly tolerable even for healthy persons. Daytime heat after 12-13 hours of sunshine is followed by night rains that fall almost every day.

It is time of strong gusty winds that occasionally grow into storms, tall waves and dangerous undercurrents. During summer red flags are marking unsafe beaches. The sea is as warm as 30 °C (86 °F). In general summer visit to Phuket won’t be very pleasant even in conditioned transport and rooms.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Min average t°: +26.5 °C (80 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 17 days Precipitation: 265 mm (10.4")

July Max average t°: +28 °C (83 °F) Min average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 18 days Precipitation: 264 mm (10.4")

August Max average t°: +28 °C (83 °F) Min average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 18 days Precipitation: 288 mm (11.3")

Summer Holidays

June – Chao Le Boat Floating Festival.

July 28 – H.M. the King’s Birthday.
July (full moon in 8th Thai lunar month) – Asalha Puja.
July (first waning moon in 8th Thai lunar month) – Beginning of Vassa.

August 1 – Thai Women’s Day.
August 12 – H.M. Queen Sirikit’s Birthday.

Autumn in Phuket

During autumn monsoon winds are still raging over the island with September being the rainiest month of a year. Temperatures of the air and the sea dropping bit more, but extreme humidity level remains. During September and October seaside activities are out of question for the waves are still too big.

In November rainy season starts its retrieval, but weather is still shifty. Precipitation decreases significantly unlike air humidity. 16 of days in November are rainy and the sea hasn’t calm down, so it is better to pick hotel with a pool.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +28 °C (82 °F) Min average t°: +26 °C (78 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 18 days Precipitation: 320 mm (12.6")

October Max average t°: +28 °C (82 °F) Min average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 20 days Precipitation: 297 mm (11.7")

November Max average t°: +28 °C (82 °F) Min average t°: +25.5 °C (78 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 16 days Precipitation: 198 mm (7.8")

Autumn Holidays

September – Por Tor Festival.
September-October – Phuket Vegetarian Festival.

October 13 – H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day.
October 23 – King Chulalonkorn Day.

November – Chao Le Boat Floating Festival, Laguna Phuket Triathlon, Loi Krathong Festival.
November 1 – Phuket Travel Fair.
November 4 – Loi Kratong.

Winter in Phuket

Winter is opposite to summer and autumn. It is dry and pleasantly hot. Daily temperature shits to range of 23-32 °C (73-89 °F) and the sea is calm and warm with 28 °C (82 °F). There is slight probability of weather “surprises” in December, but next two months are completely perfect. Winter on Phuket consists of pleasantly cool nights and mornings, hot sunny afternoons and gentle warm sea. It is the best time to visit Phuket and experience all that it has to offer.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +28 °C (83 °F) Min average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 9 day Precipitation: 82 mm (3.2")

January Max average t°: +28 °C (83 °F) Min average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 49 mm (1.9")

February Max average t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Min average t°: +26 °C (78 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 24 mm (0.9")

Winter Holidays

December – Patong Carnival.
December 4-11 – Phuket King's Cup Regatta.
December 5 – King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Birthday Anniversary.
December 10 – Constitution Day.
December 31 – New Year’s Eve.

January 1 – New Year’s Day.
2nd Saturday of January – Children’s Day.
January-February – Chinese New Year, Old Phuket Festival.

February (full moon in 3rd Thai lunar month) – Magha Puja.
February 14 – St Valentine’s Day.