Hot and dry. Hot and wet.

That sums up the weather in Pattaya fairly well. If you visit from November to April it will be hot. Come any time between February and April and it will be bloody hot.

Actually, whoever named Thailand’s seasons really needs a talking to. The supposed ‘winter’ that comes at the end of the year can still be blisteringly hot, although the early mornings can be slightly chilly.

The ‘rainy’ season may conjure up images of monsoon downpours and motorbikes floating down flooded streets. Pattaya certainly gets some of that, but during the worst wet season there will still be days when it’s sunny and dry.

We can’t really argue with the ‘hot’ season; temperatures often top 35C (about 100F).

Health

Bringing an umbrella with you is good at any time of year; if it’s hot it provides shade, if it’s raining it provide shelter. At any time of year a strong sun cream is essential. Anything over factor 30 will do the trick. Pattaya is a great place to dehydrate so if you are drinking beer and sunbathing be sure to balance things out with as much water as possible.

Here’s the basics

June – October: rainy season
November – December: cool season (not as scorchingly hot as normal)
January – May: hot season