Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 30th April, 2013

Today's weather;

Once more a nice, sunny and warm day is in the making on Koh Samui. It's already very warm early on with a current temp at 7am of 29.4C

On Gili Air in Indonesia we're about to finish the current PADI IDC today and tomorrow the candidates' exams begin. Weather wise we're doing fine here, blue skies and hot days are ours! Current temp at 8am local time is 27C

'Get out of the way, here I come'; a small boat in Gili Air's harbor in Indonesia

Yesterday was warm and sunny around Samui with a max temp of 32.2C

The forecast didn't change for the next 7 days; hot and sunny so come and visit, go out around the island or sit down on a beach and enjoy!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Goodbye to April 2013

Another month has gone by and we're at the last day of April 2013.

Regarding the weather, we had some very unusual rainy days laced with strong wind around Songkran including a flash flood or two. Besides this (almost) week of rough weather it was business as usual for April, meaning warm to hot days with plenty of sunshine.

A wet Songkran this year on Koh Samui because of the rain

Right now I'm on Gili Air in Indonesia, finishing a PADI IDC today but the first three weeks of this month I enjoyed a relaxed time at home. On 6th April I ran a 10km race in Sakean near Nakhon Si Thammarat.

In a week I will be back home again and in general I'm looking forward to next month which could be a very month work wise with an IDC starting on Samui pretty much the moment I get back home and an IDC still up in the air in Dauin the Philippines.

Keep visiting and see you next month!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 29th April, 2013

Today's weather;

On Koh Samui it's blue skies and warm weather in the making again. Current temp at 7am is 27.4C

On Gili Air in Indonesia we also have blue skies in the morning although the afternoons bring us sometimes some clouds and most times a good breeze to strong winds. Current temp at 8am local time is 25C

If you walk around Gili Air in Indonesia you can find some interesting things happening like the building or re-paint job of this taxi boat

Yesterday was a good day around Samui with warm and sunny weather and a max temp of 31.8C

The forecast looks fantastic for the next 7 days with plain sailing under sunny skies.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 28th April, 2013

Today's weather;

Another blue sky is shaping up over Koh Samui and it looks like a warm and sunny day is ahead of every on the island. Current temp at 7am is 26C

On Gili Air in Indonesia it's warming up this morning, the typical blue sky morning is out and about and yesterday it stayed sunny all day long although some wind came up during the afternoon. Current temp at 8am local time is 26C

View over the Gili Air boat taxis

Yesterday was nice, sunny and warm around Samui with a max temp of 32.2C

The forecast for the next 7 days looks good, Plenty of blue skies and sunshine are coming Samui's way. Strangely enough on Monday and Tuesday a tropical shower is predicted with lots of rain in a short period of time, let's see how that pans out.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 27th April, 2013

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is waking up under a blue sky and it promises to be hot again today. Current temp at 7am is 26.5C

On Gili Air in Indonesia the sun is beating down on us with  current temp at 8am of 26C. Yesterday was nice, sunny and hot here!

The PADI IDC here is marching along and we're almost done now, just 3 more days to go.

Trigger fish graffiti at the Gili Air harbor in Indonesia

Yesterday saw a warm and sunny day around Koh Samui with a max temp of 32.3C

The forecast is looking tremendous, sunny and blue skies for the next 7 days.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 26th April, 2013

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is preparing for a hot day under a sky that's has a nice blue shade. Current temp at 7am is 25.8C

On Gili Air in Indonesia we're also having a nice blue morning sky as well. Current temp at 8am local time is 25C and during the day clouds are expected.

The PADI IDC is going well here and today we just passed the half way mark and an update will be posted on my dive blog later this morning.

View from the room at PADI 5* IDC Resort Oceans 5 on Gili Air in Indonesia, my view to the left shows the ocean, don't worry!

Yesterday saw a tiny bit of rain during the morning on Samui but the rest of the day was sunny and warm with a max temp of 31.3C

The forecast is looking great for the next 7 days; sun, sun and sun and with the off chance of  short tropical shower to coll things down. Enjoy and make sure you have plenty of sun/tan lotion.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 25th April, 2013

Today's weather;

The sky over Koh Samui is partly clouded this morning but I still expect a sunny day ahead of you. Current temp at 7am is 27C

On Gili Air in Indonesia we're enjoying a very sunny and hot spell. This morning and all day yesterday saw blue skies and the current temp at 8am local time is 24C but it feels more like 30!

Gili Air taxi boats for Lombok, with Lombok mountains in the background

Yesterday saw a nice and warm day but during the night some thunder and lightning cruised over Samui and some very light rain came down. Max temp reached 32C

The forecast is still good with plenty of sunshine ahead of us but next week Wednesday into Thursday may see some stronger wind again. Don't be surprised if you encounter a short tropical shower somewhere along the lines. 

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 24th April, 2013

Today's weather;

Blue skies are shaping up over Koh Samui this morning and with a current temp at 7am of 29.2C it looks like it may a hot one today!

On Gili Air in Indonesia we also enjoy blue skies during the mornings but most of the time clouds move in during the afternoon and yesterday we had an afternoon shower. Current temp at 8am local time is 25C but max temps reached around 33 to 34C each day

Part of the harbor on Gili Air in Indonesia in the morning

Yesterday saw a warm day around Samui with plenty of sunshine and a max temp of 32.9C

The forecast didn't change much for the next 7 days, plenty of sunshine is predicted with hardly a breeze at all and maybe a scattered, tropical shower just after the weekend.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 23rd April, 2013

Today's weather;

How about more blue skies around Koh Samui this morning? Like that, than Samui is the place to be. Current temp at 7am is 27C

On Gili Air in Indonesia we have a blue sky with a few clouds in it but so far every afternoon clouds came up and yesterday evening we had a very short but very strong shower as well. Current temp at 8am local time is 26C

Bakso is still being sold on Gili Air in Indonesia, only thing changed is the color of the cart

Yesterday was warm around Samui with blue skies and a max temp of 31.7C

The forecast for the next 7 days on Samui hasn't chnged a bit, it's going to warm to hot and sunny. Enjoy everything Samui has to offer, it's beaches and attractions but if you move around, drive carefully.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 22nd April, 2013

Today's weather;

It's a little bit cloudy over Koh Samui bit it still promises to be a hot day with plenty of sunshine to enjoy. Current temp at 7am is 27.2C

On Gili Air in Indonesia the PADI IDC kicked off yesterday under blue skies and plenty of sunshine. Current temp at 8am local time is 26C

Early morning on Gili Air in Indonesia

Yesterday saw a sunny day around the island which made for a challenging 2nd edition of the Samui triathlon and duathlon. Max temp reached 33.2C

Courtney Atkinson from Australia, winner of yesterday's Samui triathlon

The forecast is looking good for the next 7 days with sunny and warm to hot days ahead!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 21st April, 2013

Today's weather;

Koh Samui has a blue sky to offer this morning with a current temp of 27.4C at 7am

Today is the big Triathlon and Duathlon race day on Samui and I wish all participants good and safe racing! This is one of these moments when I wish I was there but right now I'm about to start a PADI IDC on Gili Air in Indonesia under a blue sky and a current temp at 8am local time of 25C

Sun set over Gili Air in Indonesia on approach yesterday

Yesterday saw a warm day around Samui with a max temp of 32.2C

Travel from Bali to Lombok and on to Gili Air was under cloudy but dry skies but it was warm nonetheless.

The forecast is looking splendid for Koh Samui, 7 sunny days lay ahead of us.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 20th April, 2013

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is hot! Blue skies all around and a late update because I'm travelling today. Current temp at 10am is already 29.9C

As already mentioned, I left Bangkok very early this morning at 6am, from the 'old' airport Don Muang and am now in Bali, waiting for my flight to Lombok later this afternoon with final destination Gili Air. 

In Bali right now it's fairly clouded but dry with a current temp at 11am local time of 31C

Denpasar, Bali airport under construction, the whole airport seems to be fairly organized though and it seems that a lot of progress has been made since I was here for the last time.

Yesterday was another very hot day with blue skies and a max temp of 35.2C

The forecast shows plenty of sunshine in pristine blue skies over Samui for the next 7 days. Bring a portable a/c along!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 19th April, 2013

Today's weather;

Blue skies are all over Koh Samui this morning although there's a strong breeze. It looks like a very warm day is in the making. Current temp at 7am is 27C

During the early evening today I will leave for Bangkok to catch a very early flight tomorrow morning to Bali with final destination Gili Air in Indonesia where I will start a PADI IDC Sunday morning. 

The sun and blue skies returned yesterday to Koh Samui, here a view of Choengmon beach

Yesterday saw sunny skies over the island again and it was immediately hot again. Max temp reached a whooping 35.6C

The forecast predicts straight blue skies and hot weather for the next 7 days, just as April should be in the Samui archipelago!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 18th April, 2013

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is back in the sunshine business. A near blue sky with some scattered clouds and a good breeze are out and about this morning. I just got back from a 21km training run and it was good running weather although at times with a strong headwind. Current temp at 7am is 27C

Tomorrow afternoon I will be heading to Bangkok for a very short night followed by a very early start off to Bali with end destination Gili Air in Indonesia.

A 100 year old house in Ban Thale near the Magic Alambic Rum Distillery 

Yesterday saw rain during the morning and just after noon but that was seemingly the end of the rain and during the afternoon we even had some sunset action going on! Max temp reached 28.7C


The Road Safety Centre reported 285 deaths and 2,783 injuries in 2,581 road accidents from Thursday to Tuesday, six out of the seven designated holidays. Thursday alone saw 30 deaths, 344 injuries and 291 accidents.

The same period last year reported 282 deaths, 3,059 injuries and 2,872 road accidents.

The forecast looks good again, some more strong wind tonight and it's back to sunny days again.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 17th April, 2013

Today's weather;

Once more it's grey and cloudy over Koh Samui and this morning it's also wet. It stopped raining momentarily but it already did rain this morning. Current temp at 7am is 25.5C, pretty cool for recent standards.

Yesterday's flash flood in front of Samui Town center

Yesterday saw some hard rain at times although we had a few sunny moments as well, but the picture above tells and shows the main story. Max temp reached 30.6C

A chart showing the current death toll of the Songkran traffic over he last 5 days, two days are still not taken into account, including today

The forecast is fairly stable, as of Friday things should return back to more sunny skies. Today still sees strong wind and rain.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Flash flood on Koh Samui, April 2013

It started out very nicely this morning but the expected sunshine only happened for about an hour and slowly but certainly the clouds crept in again and took over, resulting in some rain around 11am.

At Makro the guards helped with big umbrellas 

That rain stopped but another shower came on shortly afterwards. In between two showers, shortly after noon, we decided to go for shopping at Makro and Tesco Lotus. Right!

Once we arrived at Makro it was pouring down like there was no tomorrow and the first picture here tells a lot!

In front of Big C

This downpour in that strength kept on before and during  our shopping at Makro, on the way to Lotus and during the shopping there. In total at eat an hour possibly an hour and a half torrential rain! Unheard of in April!

In front of Samui town center

Once we were done with the shopping, the rain had eased off and the fairly newly installed drainage system can handle the rain pretty well. So much rain in such a short time frame does cause a few problems in some old hot spots and as the pictures show, in front of Big C and in front of Samui town center there were flash floods occurring, causing traffic jams from Makro almost to Lotus and from Big C almost to Samui town center.

Now back home, the rain has ceased once more and the sun is trying to break through the cloud cover!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Food on Wheels; Lasagna

This month's addition to my Food on Wheels series is an odd one out! Not necessarily for the kind of wheels being uses, that's the by now rather standard motorbike with side show but rather what is being sold. It's not Thai food for a big change but Lasagna. Yes, Italy is in the house!

Standard bike with food for sale, all configured slightly different

It's a Ta person selling the Lasagna and it tastes darn good! Bellisimo, so to say. The lasagna is made with pork, since most Thai people don't eat beef, but a few beef lasagnas can be had each day.

The ovens

Besides lasagna in a big and small size, there's also spinach with cheese, spaghetti with tomato sauce and cheese and garlic bread on the menu. I usually order a lasagna and two garlic bread sets, the latter for the kids.

Lasagna big and small and spinach in the middle

Every Wednesday the salesperson can be found at the  walking street at the Seatran pier in Bang Rak, where you can find me between 5.30 and 6pm. By that time, when they barely start sales, besides me usually other people already line up to buy their share and when the Seatran is late a few passengers also get their share. 

Garlic bread, 3 pieces per serving at 40.-THB per serving

The prices are also very decent, at 100.-THB per big lasagna there's not much to complain and you an easily buy two and heat them up in the micro wave or oven the next day! With the garlic bread he must ake a killing though at 40.-THB per serving.

The sales counter

He's also at a few other walking streets and that are the only places you cn find him, for the simple reason that his ovens are electrical and he needs a wall socket to operate his ovens!

Excellent food and well worth checking out although a big change to the typical Thai (junk) food sold on these kind of motorbikes. Enjoy and see you on Wednesday and leave some for me!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 16th April, 2013

Today's weather;

The sky over Koh Samui is cloudy but it's not that grey anymore and I would expect the sun to break through at some stage today. Current temp at 7am is 27.3C

A street mapping car on Samui, Google is visiting

Yesterday saw a warmer day again, it stayed dry and during the afternoon the sun actually broke through and we saw partly blue skies again. Max temp reached 30.5C

The forecast predicts strong winds and fading off by Friday, after that it's happy days again with sunshine all over. During he next 7 days there's hardly any rain predicted at all.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 15th April, 2013

Today's weather;

It's still cloudy round Koh Samui but an occasional blue spot can be seen and it doesn't feel like it can start to rain each moment and no more storms came through. Current temp at 7am is 26.3C

Banded coral shrimp at Sail Rock at the beginning of the month

Yesterday was grey and cloudy and on several occasions it rained from light drizzles to strong downpours. Max temp reached 29.4C

The sun starts to shine at the end of the tunnel again and i can smell it coming on in a day or two. Today could still see some rain and tomorrow evening possibly sees some freak storm passing through but after that it should be blue skies again.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Storm, what storm? Songkran Koh Samui 2013

The weather is seriously off, it seems. Rain during Songkran or in general during April was something unheard of but over the last 2 years or so, Songkran actually had some rain but this year really tops it off.

It's not just rain we're talking about anymore but downpours and sometimes short, storm like conditions. One of these storms passed over our house last night around 4am and managed to topple one of our big mango trees and a roof add on of our neighbors. 

It  must take some power to rip this tree in two pieces!

A one 'mighty giant' felled by nature

The neighbor's roof, collapsed and being cleaned up

The waves in Chaweng are also out again in full force and it's not advisable to swim there right now. Come Wednesday it should turn a lot nicer again though. Let's see and wait what happens.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 14th April, 2013

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is grey and cloudy the day after Songkran, but it's dry at the moment although I do expect more rain today. Current temp at 7am is 26.1C

Oh, and I'm so glad Songkran is over on Samui, it would be too much for me to have extended water fight days like in Chiang Mai, Pattaya or Khao San road in Bangkok.

Taking a break during this year's Songkran in Chaweng in full battle regalia

Yesterday was very cloudy and dark but it remained dry pretty much all day until the early evening and around 8.30pm a very long and strong shower had passed over resulting in a 2 hour power cut! Last night I woke again at around 3.45am when another storm raged over. These two downpours made for 27mm of rain yesterday, plenty! Max temp reached 29.7C

The forecast predicts now cloud and rain until Tuesday and after that it starts to clear up with sunny, blue sies all around again come next weekend.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Songkran 2013 on Koh Samui

Songkran was a cold affair this year! It didn't rain as predicted but the clouds and the wind did their work. Throw in (literally) some ice cooled water being hurled your way and don't be surprised if next week half of Samui walks around with a cold!

It was fun nonetheless and here are some impressions of the day although many people did complain about the cold.

The start, choose your weapon of choice; waterguns, powder and perfumed water or any combination will do just fine

It was not allowed to sell alcohol at the roadside, to reduce accidents

It was busy in Chaweng, a traffic jam snaked it's way down the beach road

Having fun on the bike

Mum, daughter and Tweety on the move

Suitable and well fitting heels

Don't forget that you're in Thailand, always time for food!

Proof; Chaweng was like a Zoo

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 13th April, 2013

Today's weather;

Sawasdee pee mai, krab or Happy Thai New Year!

It's going to be a wet one this year and not because of the water being thrown at you by party revelers but because of the expected rain today, it drizzled and rained a bit already this morning and the current temp at 7am is 28.7C under very cloudy skies hanging over Koh Samui. 

The road toll for the first day of this year's 7 dangerous days was 39 deaths, Thursday saw 39 deaths and 342 injuries in 326 road accidents.

Songkran won't be sunny this year around the island but I do expect it to be busy nonetheless, the water will be cold though!

Yesterday was cloudy in the morning but during the daytime the sun broke through a couple of times and it was warmer again. Max temp reached 30.5C

Last night just before midnight a massive storm passed over which woke me up due to it being loud and lots of rain came down, the roads are full of tree debris and where ever sand roads hit paved roads, long sandy patches are on the paved roads.

Samui was already in the news with top less girls last night in Chaweng, it looks busy indeed

The forecast predicts rain and strong wind until Monday, after that the sun breaks out again.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 12th April, 2013

Today's weather;

It was 4am when the alarm went off this morning and I got ready to start a half marathon practice run at 5am. All morning including right now there has been overcast and it was great conditions for running. Current temp at 7am is 26.1C It wouldn't surprise me if we see some rain today.

Khanom Tuay, a sweet desert, racked up at Siripoca in Bang Po

Yesterday it was cloudy pretty much all day long with some long awaited rain during the afternoon and the early evening. Max temp reached 30C

The forecast keeps flipping around and changes every couple of hours with one common nominator though, it will be wet over the weekend and not just because of Songkran! There's not going to be as much rain as predicted a few days ago but it will be wet into Monday and strong wind might happen over the weekend as well. After Monday it start to clear up again, at this moment.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 11th April, 2013

Today's weather;

At first daylight the sky was almost perfect blue over Koh Samui but now clouds are seem to be moving in again. Current temp at 7am is 26.5C

A traditional shop front in Nathon

Yesterday saw a cloudy sky all day long and at last it wasn't so hot anymore, despite a 33.3C max temp. The wind and the clouds made for a nice day where at last I was able to do things during the daytime instead of it being too hot to move at all!

During the late afternoon a few isolated drops fell, nothing that you could call rain though, more like a drizzle in which you could walk between the drops without getting wet! 

The forecast is absolutely going bonkers, it changed about 3 or 4 times yesterday and this morning it has changed once more. Have a look at Windguru and keep checking it for changes. Yesterday started similar to what it looks like this morning but during the day it changed a few times, from just being windy to a full on storm on varying days of the week.

Now it seems settled again for a massive storm over Saturday and Sunday and before and after it looks just nice!  Let's see and wait how this pans out but it seems that something may be up over the weekend and Songkran is going to be wet, either way, I just don't think it will be as big of a storm as predicted by the various sites.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Songkran Road accident statistics in Thailand 2007-2013

The 'Seven Dangerous Days of Songkran' have been designed for this year by the Thai Government as being from Thursday 11th April to Wednesday 17th April 2013. starting as of tomorrow, it's going to be an even bigger madhouse on the already dangerous Thai roads than it usually is.

Songkran itself is only celebrated on Koh Samui on Saturday 13th April, which for me personally is good enough. This is sharp contrast to other locations like Chiang Mai, Pattaya or Khao San road in Bangkok where the party lasts for a week.

During Songkran most people go upcountry to visit their parents or take their families for a holiday.  This in turn makes for busier than usual roads and accidents are inevitable. Most fatal accidents are caused by drunk driving and speeding and take place late afternoon to mid evening. You can cut the chance of being involved in a fatal accident if you wear a helmet on a motorcycle and put on your seat belt in a car. At dusk make sure you turn on lights and at all times keep within speed limits. Most of all, do not drink and drive.

Around the island only twice a year road checks are set up to control for drunk driving, our traditional New Year is one of them and the other time is during Songkran.

Here are the full statistics for accidents during Songkran 2012:

11-17 April 2012: Most accidents were caused by drunk driving (38.76%) followed by speeding (20.53%). The vehicles involved in accidents were motorcycles (81.12%), pick-up trucks (10.03%), car/taxi (3.55%), truck (0.55%), bus (0.30%) and van (.027%). Accidents happened the most on roads through villages (35.18%) and on highways (33.00%). The majority of accident happened on straight roads (57.73%). Most accidents happened between 4pm and 8pm (31.73%) followed by 12pm to 4pm (25.75%). Of those who were injured or were killed, most were over 50 years of age (18.15%), followed by 30-39 years of age (17.13%) and 15-19 years of age (17.08%). A total of 11.00% were less than 15 years old.

Last year there were 320 deaths during the Seven Dangerous Days of Songkran which averages at 45.7 per day. Here is how it has compared over the years:

Songkran 2007: 361 deaths, 4,805 injuries and 4,274 accidents
Songkran 2008:  368 deaths, 4,801 injuries and 4,243 accidents
Songkran 2009: 373 deaths, 4,332 injuries and 3,977 accidents
Songkran 2010: 361 deaths, 3,802 injuries and 3,516 accidents
Songkran 2011: 271 deaths, 3,476 injuries and 3,215 accidents
Songkran 2012: 320 deaths, 3,320 injuries and 3,129 accidents



Some scary statistics and a serious warning not to leave the house for long travels unless really necessary, and drive carefully out there! Wear a helmet and your seat belt, it's a madhouse out there!

Statistics come from Richard Barrow's original post.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 10th April, 2013

Today's weather;

It's partly cloudy over Koh Samui this morning with a current temp at 7am of 27.2C

A big spirit house or Saan Phra poom between Chaweng and Lamai, typically most cars and motorbikes will honk their horns at least three times when passing here

Yesterday was sunny and hot, what's new? Max temp reached 32.2C

The forecast for the next 7 days is very interesting and keeps changing at the moment from day to day. Today the forecast shows good weather until Saturday, come Sunday however, clouds and rain start with an huge storm moving over Samui on Monday with massive amounts of rain, wind strength, gusts and big waves. We'll see how long this will hold since typically predictions like this seem to peter out after a day or so. Very interesting though.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 9th April, 2013

Today's weather;

It's almost a perfect blue sky this morning over Koh Samui, just a few scattered clouds are around. Current temp at 7am is 26.5C but it feels already warm.
An hour later the sky has been covered by clouds and it's not as warm as other days, which is a nice break.

View over Chaweng bay

Yesterday saw another warm day but the breeze made it feel a lot more bearable. Max temp reached 34.7C

The forecast has changed once more, for the better! It may be cloudy Thursday and from Sunday again but hardly any rain is predicted anymore and the hard wind also seems to subside. Songkran may be a warm and 'dry' or a rather rain free affair after all.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Samui Bike Week 2013, 3-4 May

The Samui Riders Club presents the Samui Bike Week to be held on 3rd and 4th May of this year. It's a charity event and a party will be held with live music, most likely at Chaweng lake, just like previous years. This year will see the 5th edition already.

A big display for the Samui Bike week 2013

During the party many bikes will be shown off and you can get an idea what to expect here. Good times and music will be had! Go out and join the fun come 3rd and 4th May.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille