Phuket Weather December up to 31st

First of all Happy New Year to everyone and we wish all a great 2015

Form weather side during second half of December wether in Phuket must say was normal. Often in Dece,ner in Phuket weather can reserve some surprise. Such as days with tick clouds, raina dn strong wind.

The two pictures here below have been taken on same day, the first at lunch time in Patong Beach. The Second in Kathu around 16:00 hrs. The Storm last for about two hours. Evening was again fine.

They give the exact idea of the weather in Phuket in December

Lunch at Sabai Restaurant on 26 December 2014

Late Afternoon Weather in Kathu on 26 December 2014

This happen for three days before Christmas,  however almost of days weather was fine with sun, cool breeze and few drops of rain.

Kamala Beach on 27 December 2014

Today we can close the year with a very nice day the cool breeze in theevening and night will make NYE even more pleasant.

See you in the New Year for more updates for Phuket Weather that looks fine for next month.

Patong Beach without sun chairs...Great is it?

Phuket weather Update up to 15 December 2014

It is high season and so not much to say about weather. During first two weeks of December weather in Phuket has been good. Some rain in the evening, locally heavy.

Didn't rain every evening just few times. During the day very hot and a mild breeze from east taking relief.

Patong Bay on 1st December 2014

Then on 14 December a cloudy day with wind brought fresh air to Phuket, this happen every year in December. Don't forget that will be winter also here so temperature will go down a bit.... 24 Celsius in the early morning.

Kathu hills 15 December 2014 - morning

Then this morning back to normal, still some clouds on the sky and evening a short rain that refresh air for a good night sleep

Sea has seen bad condition only on 14th December for the rest very good with water as usual between 28 and 30 Celsius

So nothing to be worry during holidays, just keep an eye to the sky and remember that Phuket is a tropical island and rain is part of its life. The green forest that covers almost part of it is a rain forest.

Forecast say that some more windy and rainy day could happen before end of the week eventually enjoy a great day at one of the many spa and massage in Phuket.

http://www.tmd.go.th/en/province.php?id=75

When look at forecast remember that the important part is the percent of coverage that identify the risk of rain and not the icon that generally says that weather is variable..as it should be

Sunset at Karon Beach on 11 December  2014

Tourist visa in Thailand

There was a lot of talking during Summer about new rules for extending a visa in Thailand.

The new rules for Tourist Visa then became effective in August and now it is much easier to extend your stay in Thailand.

Thailand Flag

This article is only about tourist visas, for those that enter Thailand on free visa visa on arrival or tourist visa will be possible to extend their stay directly at the immigration office.

Doesn't matter if the person got 30 or 60 days permit to stay on arrival then before the stamp expiring date just go to an immigration office, fill in the form, make copy of your passport and two picture (all can normally be done at immigration office).

If all is right the officers will grant a 30 days stay, fee is 1,900 Thai Baht

After those is possible to get seven more days, same procedures and fee

Then will be time to leave the Kingdom of Thailand and make a trip back

Thsi avoid the long and time wasting visa runs that are now story of the past, for tourists

Here more information about Thai VISA
http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908

Phuket weather update in November 2014

Can say without doubt that Phuket High Season has started since begin of November.

View from Kata Beach Hotel in mid November 2014

Weather is the typical for the period, flat sea, mild breeze. Sky is free from clouds during the morning, then clouds start piling up during begin of afternoon and local storms and showers are possible.

Afternoon storm over Kathu in Nov 2014

As said all normal, wind direction changed and during last week is now preeminent from North  East. This is the winter Monsoon that will bring dry and fresh air from inner Asia to Phuket.

Kata Beach free from umbrellas and sunbeds

During November is still transition so we saw some short rain and storm that last only two or three hours.

Now we are getting in December and we expect great weather that makes possible to enjoy all activities and excursions in Phuket and surrounding areas

Morning sky in Phuket in Nov 2014

here some forecast for nest few days
Windguru Phuket
Phuket Meteo

Phuket weather update from 1st to 8th November 2014

During first part of November weather has been normal for this time the year. very good days with sunshine and nice breeze alternate to days  with clouds and grey sky, rain can be heavy.

1st and 2nd November were very good, as can see from the image of Kata Beach here below , people now enjoy free beaches and a lot of space.

Kata Beach on 2nd November 2014

Kata Beach without sun beds

Then on 3rd November was a grey day with clouds and rain. best for relax and enjoy spa and massage. The rain weather kept going until 5th November. Then again back to good weather on the 6th for Loy Kratong Celebration.

7th was a mix of good and bad, wind picked up but nothing serious, forecast said that week end should see storms and strong wind. However today is raining all day long and clouds cover the sky wind isn't strong at all and sea is almost flat.

Boat Lagoon on 7th November 2014

Koh Khai Nui Island on 7th November 2014

Forecast for Sunday then cahnged to moderate wind, no waves but surely rain.

However weather will be,  take it easy, it is holidays time and temperature is always high and it is possible to enjoy a lot of activities,

Take time to visit Old Phuket Town with a private tour.

Loy Kratong Festival 2014

Tonight is the 12th full Moon on the traditional lunar calendar and in Thailand Loy Kratong night.
The celebration marks the passage from the rain season, to the dry and more "cool' season. The Monsoon will change direction from South West (brings the humid air from the open Sea along with the heavy rains) to North East (brings the dry and fresh air from inner Asia).

Loy Kratong competiotion

Pino in traditional custom

Carla in Traditional custom

 So now we know when is Loy Kratong in Phuket and Thailand. It is the night of November Full Moon. So every year moves date

But actually means Loy Kratong? Literally float (loy) a basket (Kratong). Not just a normal basket but it is Lotus shaped and decorated. The base is made by a slice of Banana Tree trunk (between 10 and 30 cm of diameter), decorated with twisted Banana Tree leaves, flowers a candle and three incense sticks. People prepare their own, try to make the most beautiful one.

Loy Kratong

Those that don't have one can easily buy in shops and stall at road side. Childrens prepare one at school to then leave then floating in the evening.

What happen during Loy Kratong? nothing really special, it is just an occasion for a celebration. Its isn't a public holiday. People will gather near lakes, ponds and rivers. Everyone ready with his Kratong to leave it floating and bring carrying wishes of good luck or carrying away bad things.

Am and friend ready to Loy Kratong

On the Kratong there is a candle to venerate Buddha, incense for the spirit of water, one one Baht coin for luck an people sometime  put hair and the cut from their nails to send away bad luck.

Loy Kratong

Every municipality around the Thailand will provide spaces near water to celebrate, organizing fairs, street markets, plenty of food and competitions between villages to see who is bale to make the most beautiful Kratong. Some are really Matsrepieces.

Kathu municipality Loy Kratong 2014

During Loy Kratong there is also another tradition, release the flying lanterns, so some time people calls Loy Karatong the lanterns night.

Relaease Lanter from MV Sai Mai

This actually is the tradition in Northern Thailand or Lanna region. There the celebration is called Yi Peng and has a more religious meaning to honor the Buddah. The thousand of lanterns released will make the dark sky looks like a sea of lights. It is very impressive.

In recent years and in tourist areas, specially near the sea and on the islands the Lanterns are more popular then the Kratongs. They are also sold on the beaches and people like to release them all year round.

Now I go to enjoy Loy Kratong here in Kathu with my Family

Julie and Monica ready to launch their wishes