Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 25th December – 31st December, 2017

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 25th December – 31st December, 2017 

The last Sunday of the month and of this year means, it's time for the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 25th December –31st December, 2017.

My last long run of the year is in the bag and the weather conditions are about to improve. Running is great in the current cool conditions.

It started out this morning as a cloudy day but the sun has been breaking through a few times now and we have a current temperature at 11am of 29.2C

Later today we may have one last time a strong wind surging over the island but after that the wind is about to disappear. This should make all boat operators around the island, since earlier this week many days all boat trips were cancelled due to the strong wind.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 25th December –31st December, 2017; High tide at some of the statues at Big Buddha.

Last week saw a wet and windy week. Almost every day saw rain and sometimes hard rain with some thunderstorms as well. There were very short lived flash floods but in general the roads held out just fine. Yesterday saw no rain at all, except for a little drizzle around 6.30pm for a short while.

Maximum temperatures ranged between 26C and 31C.

The forecast for the first week of the new year is looking good. The wind is as good as gone, there should be no rain and partially cloudy skies may allow some sunshine being poured over Koh Samui's beaches.

Enjoy the start of the new year and a Happy New Year to all readers of this blog! 

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two. 

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned. 

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago

Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago

Today the Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago. By now, 13 years ago, the two big tsunami waves made their destructive paths through many parts of Thailand's West coast.

I still clearly remember how I was watching tv with a light hangover and the first news came on that an earthquake was felt in Phuket and that maybe one person had died.

Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago; The Phuket Tsunami memorial at a park in Kamala, which I visited twice, earlier this year.

How the news during that day would change. More and more devastating news slowly trickled through. A few hundred people dead was uttered within a few hours. Slowly the size and horror of what had happened started to settle in. 

Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago; A wall as part of the Phuket tsunami monument at Kamala

It still took me two days to find out that Khao Lak was one of the hardest hit places in Thailand. Not having heard any news at all coming out of Khao Lak, my thought was that no news was good news. How wrong was I proven to be.

Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago; A plaque commemorating the boxing day tsunami at Kamala's monument

The Kamala and Patong beaches were among the worst affected beaches on Phuket. An interesting read is this one by Mark Oberle, an American tourist during the Tsunami.

Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago; Kamala beach earlier this year, nice and peaceful

Today many commemorative services are being held along Thailand's West coast. A day to remember for people who were affected by this event.
It wasn't until March 2005 when I visited Khao Lak for the first time and it still looked like a disaster area. Some pictures can be found under the tsunami label on this blog.

Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago; Boat 813 in Khao Lak just a month ago. Pushed on land for 3 km by the tsunami waves

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two.

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned. 

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 18th December –24th December, 2017

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 18^th December –24^th December, 2017 

It's Sunday morning, the long run is done and dusted and it's time for the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 18th December –24th December, 2017.  

It's partially cloudy with plenty of nice and sunny moments and the current temperature at almost 10am is a nice and cool 28.4C

This is a great time of the year for running and cycling. The temperatures drop and the mornings are nice and cool, around 25 to 26C. As long as it stays dry!

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 18th December –24th December, 2017; Along Plai Laem beach, at the most Southern point, you can find this 'sala' which is used for local people as a place of worship. Statues of an elderly couple are placed within the 'sala'.

Last week was surprisingly nice and sunny. There was a very strong wind blowing all week long, which seems to only have been completely dissolved by today. That wind was cold though! Many local Thai people were dressed up as if 'winter had come' to Koh Samui. 

The wind had so much strength that most or all daily boat trips were cancelled. So no diving and/or snorkel trips were going out.

The ferries to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao were still going although the Lomprayah boats had to use Nathon as arrival and departure location.

Temperatures ranged between 27 and 31C during last week.

The predicted tropical storm went on a South bound route and hit Malaysia over this weekend.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 18th December –24th December, 2017; A boat being build at the Plai Laem beach. Just in front of somebody's house it seems.

The forecast for next week is not looking that good. Strong wind is expected come Tuesday accompanied by some rain. 

A fair wind is still expected on all other remaining days of the year with rain showers to go along with the wind.

Stay safe and dry! See you next week again!

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two. 

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned. 

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 11th December –17th December, 2017

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 11^th December –17^th December, 2017 

Sunday morning and time for the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 11th December –17th December, 2017. It's a few minutes short of 10am and Koh Samui has a heavy cloud cover hanging over it's shore and inland. Rain is in the cards and should be no surprise today. The wind is also to pick up during the day, Current temperature at 10am is 25.8C

Last week I spent on Phuket, completing the current December 2017 PADI IDC on Phuket and we went three days diving on the dive boat of PADI CDC Center 'Dive Asia' in Kata and we did a night dive at Kata beach. See the picture below. Today is the last of the PADI IE for my IDC candidate with an open water dive at Kata Beach. It's a blue sky and sunny day today with a current temp at 10am of 32C

This morning I participated in the 21st Kathu minimarathon on Phuket, which I did for the 3rd time, I also ran the 2010 and 2011 editions of this race. This morning it went well with a 4'35 pace over 10.25km. Race time was 46'58 and I managed to place 6th in my age group 55-59. That's a good result for me since there are always strong runners participating at Phuket races and today saw a a very big crowd taking part. A nice start of the Sunday.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 11th December –17th December, 2017; Relaxing at the entrance gate to Big Buddha. Last week was perfect for this!

Last week saw a lovely week with lots of sunshine and warm temperatures. Actually a bit unusual for this time of the year. Maximum temperatures ranged between 31C and 33C with only yesterday some rain and possibly later today.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 11th December –17th December, 2017; Last week i was on Phuket all week long and on Wednesday evening we did a night dive from Kata beach. This is when we walked into the ocean. A lovely sight and view! 

The forecast for next week is not looking that great. The typical rain and wind is making a return visit and and strong wind with possibly each day some showers are expected. Especially next Friday and Saturday may see storm like condition, very strong wind and lots of rain. This years Christmas on Samui may not be white as expected but rather wet!

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two. 

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned. 

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 4th December –10th December, 2017

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 4^th December –10^th December, 2017 

Another Sunday morning, another half marathon done and time for the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 4th December –10th December, 2017.

It's almost 10am and we have a partially cloudy sky over Koh Samui, the sun is breaking through and it's going to be warm today! Current temp at 10am is 28.8C. Expect higher temperatures for the  afternoon.

On Phuket, where I started my last PADI IDC program of the year earlier last week, it's blue skies all around with an occasional cloud in it. Current temp at 10am is already 33C and rising! High season weather is finally arriving here, although there are almost daily evening or night showers.

This morning I ran a half marathon as part of the Phuketon, a weekend chock full of running events. Out of 1959 participants I ended as 125th and I was 15th in my age group 50-59 out of 143 participants. I'm not in great shape with a 1:50 time and 5'09 pace but at the moment that's all I have!

A very nice event though and well organized!

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 4th December –10th December, 2017; Big Buddha during last week and the sun is coming out again around Koh Samui

Last week saw plenty of rain again around Koh Samui with a few thunderstorms thrown as well. Friday was the only sunny day last week. The sun did occasionally break through towards the end of the week though. Maximum temperatures ranged 28C and 29C, nice and cool. A typical rainy season week with the occasional flash flood as well.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 4th December –10th December, 2017; Sunset over Kata on Phuket last week

Th forecast for next week is looking very good, blue skies and plenty of sunshine at least until Friday. During there may be some rain coming Samui's way again. Enjoy the sun while it lasts, it's not your typical rainy season weather.

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two. 

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned. 

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 27th November –3rd December, 2017

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 27^th November –3^rd December, 2017 

It's Sunday morning and time to have a loom at the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 27th November –3rd December, 2017. 

It's cloudy over Koh Samui but there are some breaks in the cloud cover and a very weak sun is trying to pry through. Most likely there will be some rain though today. Current temp at 9am is 28.1C

I find myself back in Surat Thani, where I participated in a half marathon earlier today, which did not go that well. After 15 weeks of training I was aiming at a finish time of close to one hour and forty minutes but after ended with a time of just under one hour and fifty minutes. After 4 km a hamstring started to play up and I needed to slow down. Not too happy with the final result and the race over all but there's always a next time. Came in 'only' 11th in my age group out of 73 and 41st in gender out of 475 and 49th out 650 over all. 

It was and still is very cloudy over Surat and the last 3km of the race it was pouring down. Current temp at 9am is 26C

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 27th November –3rd December, 2017; The new place for families to gather at temple events events at Wat Plai Laem. Almost completed now.

Last week saw three out of seven as a dry day, which is not bad at this time of the year. There were some thunderstorms as well though and plenty of rain, with some flash floods at times. Max temperatures ranged from 27C to 32C

Next week the forecast predicts plenty of rain and strong wind until Thursday, which is fairly typical for this time of the year. After that it should ease down and the sun may pop out again for a bit.

Enjoy your stay on Samui nonetheless if you find yourself on our island!

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two. 

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned. 

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

Welcome to December 2017

Welcome to December 2017

It's the first day of the last month of this year and time to say Welcome to December 2017. On this first day of December we have left yesterday's storm behind us and surprise, surprise, the sun is out and about! Just like the picture below, except with possibly even less clouds! Current temperature at around 11am is 30.2C and rising.

This is not the weather to expect for the rest of this month though. December is usually a rather wet month, especially until around the middle of the month. The second may see improvements but that's not a guarantee.

Last year saw an extremely bad sample of rainy season during December. In general it will be fairly wet though and the first week of this month is not an exception, according to the forecasts. Good amounts of rain can be expected until Thursday this week.

Welcome to December 2017; The road near Samui Hot Club in Lipa Noi. This is the weather we are having today, but most likely this will not be the weather for the rest of this month!

It will be another busy month for me with a PADI IDC coming up on Phuket this Monday. Before that I will run the Surat Thani half marathon on Sunday 3rd December and the Phuketon half marathon on Sunday 10 December is on the schedule as well. This could turn out to be a big event with many participants,

Stay tuned for updates of this December month and when you're on the island, I do hope you enjoy your stay, despite the possible rain.

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two. 

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned. 

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens.

Camille