Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 19^th October – 25^th October 2020

Welcome to this new week and the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 19th October – 25th October 2020.

After a few sunny days, this morning it's cloudy again and we had already a few raindrops. Current temperature at 10am is 28C

Last week saw a wet start and a sunny ending. The maximum temperature reached 33C The minimum temperature dropped one night shortly to 23C. In general it was a 24C during most days though. Last weekend was nice and sunny!

Covid19 keeps putting it's mark on Koh Samui, The biggest news last week was that a 57 year old French woman tested positive after her 14 days quarantine. Possibly she got infected at the gym in her ASQ hotel. She tested positive just a few days after her quarantine ended. Thus ending a stretch of well over 230 days that Koh Samui and Surat Thani were Covid free.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 19^th October – 25^th October 2020

Another one bites the dust. One of the many restaurants/shops on the island that is up for sale. You can find this place in Bang Po. This morning, during my early morning run, another pick up truck, loaded with household items, was making it's way to the ferry. Still, on a daily base, many people decide to leave Koh Samui. Back to their home towns and provinces. The amount of empty shops and houses increases each day. 

The forecast for next week predicts mostly cloudy skies and daily showers. Pretty standard weather, this far in to the month.

Whilst you are here, 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. That is, once the travel restrictions have been lifted.

There are plenty Thais and foreigners, Westerners or farangs who have a hard time dealing with no income and bills to pay. The financial situation is getting worse and worse by the week for many people. Including myself and my family. Unfortunately I'm no exception to this rule. If you like this blog, this is a good time to help out and make a donation. If you can, it's much appreciated! Ask me what options are available. Please do help if you can afford to do so! Much appreciated!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 12^th October – 18^th October 2020

A day late, but nonetheless, here's the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 12th October – 18th October 2020.

My excuse for being late, I was too tired yesterday. After I completed the first episode of the Samui Trail, I was beat and spent for the rest of the day. It was 'only' 14km but with some of the most difficult and technical courses I ever ran on. Well, running is maybe too much said. It was hardcore trail, slipping and sliding through the jungle. Fun, but hard. Below you can find a picture of me in action during the trail.

Today we actually had a nice and rather sunny day. It was warm for a change! It's already 8.30pm and it's still 29C. The maximum temperature today reached 33C

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 12^th October – 18^th October 2020

Some or many of you may remember this place in Chaweng. It's opposite the lake, behind the big building that holds a McDonalds. There used to be a food market here. A thriving food market, each night filled with tourists. Now it has been torn down, because there are no tourists anymore.

During most days of last week we had cloud cover and showers. The maximum temperature reached 31C. The minimum got stuck at 22C during one night, mid week. The rest of the week it dropped to around 23C.

In the meantime, Covid keeps making it's impact around the island. Not with infections! Mind you, the Thai government seems to be protecting the 80% of the Thai population that are not working in the tourist industry. That seems to work. However, having said that, the 20% that are relying on the tourist industry are being hit very hard. Most people are really running out of financial means. Businesses all around the island are closing down and/or are up for sale. More and more people are leaving Koh Samui to go back to their home provinces. Live is cheaper there, no rent, maybe they can grow some own food.

Even out neighborhood, Plai Laem, which is a residential area, experiences the impact of people leaving. The amount of empty houses, rooms, and the like, is staggering. Rows and rows of empty shop houses can be found all over the island. Really sad to see, how many of these business that did really well, have to shut down and go out of business.

December and January are the months that things will really get tight in Thailand. 

In the meantime, keep following the news about the demonstrations in Bangkok. Many people are out on the street. Let's hope this will all find a good and peaceful ending.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 12^th October – 18^th October 2020

Myself in action during the Samui Trail #1 in Lipa Noi yesterday. I'm wading, climbing my way through and out of a waterfall. It was a fun race, but with the most technical route I've ever participated on. My pace was at 11'04 per minute. Most of the route you could only walk, going through the jungle, up hill. Slipping and sliding. Mountain high, river waterfall deep.

For this week, we may experience some rain, starting from Wednesday. From Thursday onward we may have some strong showers each day. We're getting closer to November, our rainy season. The weather forecasts are stating this as well.

Whilst you are here, 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. That is, once the travel restrictions have been lifted.

There are plenty Thais and foreigners, Westerners or farangs who have a hard time dealing with no income and bills to pay. Unfortunately I'm no exception to this rule. If you like this blog, this is a good time to help out and make a donation. If you can, it's much appreciated! Ask me what options are available. It's getting harder each week! Please do help if you can afford to do so! Much appreciated!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 5^th October – 11^th October 2020

It's Sunday evening and here are with the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 5th October – 11th October 2020. A bit later than usual. This morning I did a 5 hours and 45 minutes hike in the Maenam hills. A recce hike for the 26km trail run I'm planning on running come 15th November, The Monkey Trail. As a result, I didn't get back home until around noon. Showered, ate and slept! Nonetheless, I just reminded myself about the weekly update.

We were actually planning to visit Nathon this evening. However, it started to rain and we decided to stay home and go tomorrow or Tuesday. The yearly Rua Phra or floating cars are roaming the Koh Samui roads and streets. Each night they gather in Nathon. There's a bit of a fair going on and our youngest really wants to go!

In the meantime, here we are, in Plai Laem, at home. Current temperature at 7.30pm is 26C Nice and cool. It's raining.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 5^th October – 11^th October 2020

At the moment I don't visit the Tesco Lotus or Big C outlets that much anymore. However, last week I was in Tesco Lotus in Chaweng. Interestingly I noticed that the children play parks in the shopping malls opened up again. They have been closed for months!

Last week saw quite a bit of rainy days. Especially Sunday to Monday night saw some torrential rain. Most of the other days last week had some showers at some stage. Nonetheless, we also had a few sunnier moments. The maximum temperature barely reached 32C early on during the week. The minimum temperature dropped to 22C on Tuesday night. Besides that one drop, it settled in between 23 and 24C during most nights.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 5th October – 11th October 2020

Another Rua Phra that passed out house last week. Hopefully we can make it to Nathon later this week and check out all the cars/boats/floats.

For next week, plenty of cloud cover is predicted. More rain is to follow as well. After next weekend is when it may start to clear up again.

Next Sunday is the 1st Samui Trail run, in Lipa Noi. A 5k and 15k trail run Rain is predicted. My 15k race might become a challenge indeed. I'm looking forward to it though. Only my thrid race this year. Covid has put a hold on my racing this year.

Whilst you are here, 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. That is, once the travel restrictions have been lifted.

There are plenty Thais and foreigners, Westerners or farangs who have a hard time dealing with no income and bills to pay. Unfortunately I'm no exception to this rule. If you like this blog, this is a good time to help out and make a donation. If you can, it's much appreciated! There's a donation button on top of this page or ask me for other options. It's getting harder each week! Please do help if you can afford to do so! Everything counts!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 28th September – 4th October 2020

It's Sunday morning with a brand new  Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 28th September – 4th October 2020 for you.

The lsd is in the can. Well, no, not exactly the hallucinogenic version, but rather the long slow distance run. It's done and dusted this early morning. 26.5km in a good pace. In two weeks time the 15km trail run/race in Nathon is on. I think I'm ready for it. Tapering slowly starts next week.

It's rather sunny at the moment. At 11.15am it's 33C already. It's going to be a good and sunny Sunday, so enjoy if you're here.

Last week we saw a bit of rain. Especially Monday morning was very wet. A few showers where here and there during the rest of the week. The maximum temperature reached 34 on Tuesday. Mostly 33C for the rest of the week. Except Monday with 29C as a max. The minimum temperature dropped to 21C and 22C from Monday to Tuesday but the rest of the week it settled around 23/24C. I enjoyed the weather last week, not too hot for my running!

Covid is still raging on Koh Samui. 

Not as an actual infection, but the results of the border closure are hard and harsh on our island. Every day and week, new shops close down. It's heart breaking to see all the small and bigger shops having to close their doors. Simply due to a lack of customers. Koh Samui is feeling it's dependence on tourism. Very few ships/ hotels/restaurants fare well at the moment.

It turns out that during the long weekends, just around 10 places on Koh Samui really profit from the influx of Thai visitors. Those are the 10 hotels, restaurants or bars that are popular with the Thai holiday makers. Almost nobody else has any significant impact on their turn over during the long weekends. Later this month and next month long weekends  are scheduled again. It's merely a drop on a hot stone. 

There are also a few hotels now going through the process of being inspected for qualifying as  Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) hotels. This is the process of quarantine at government-approved hotels in Thailand at the traveler's own expense. 

Later this month 300 tourists per month are allowed into Thailand under stringent conditions . Including a 14 day quarantine. Firstly for a period og 90 days. Secondly, this period can be extended twice, each time for another 90 days. Totaling 270 as a maximum.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 28th September – 4th October 2020

Ok Pansa or the end of the Buddhist Lent has finished. This means that the 'Rua Phra' or รัวพระ can be seen all around the island. They collect gifts or 'thambun'. Each temple on the island has Their very own Rua Phra. Eventually, they will all meet in Nathon for a big display. Always well worth a visit. You just wish you were here! If you live here, don't get agitated by the slowing down of traffic! Maybe stop and give some money instead. It's part of living in Thailand.

The forecast for next week looks interesting. As of Tuesday we should have a bit of rain. Increasingly so over the weekend. This goes hand in hand with some stronger wind. For me it looks good, it cools things down a bit. 

Don't forget about the Asajan festival next week in Chaweng. The Art Club vegan restaurant will be present which is a great moment to check their tasty menu! At CoCo Chaweng from 12.00 or noon.

Whilst you are here, 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. That is, once the travel restrictions have been lifted.

There are plenty Thais and foreigners, Westerners or farangs who have a hard time dealing with no income and bills to pay. Unfortunately I'm no exception to this rule. If you like this blog, this is a good time to help out and make a donation. If you can, it's much appreciated! There's a donation button on top of this page or ask me for other options. It's getting harder each week! Please do help if you can afford to do so! Everything counts!

Camille

Welcome to October 2020

The beginning of a new month and welcome to October 2020. Another month in Covid! Let's hope things will be about to change. Rather sooner than later!

This month can swing many ways. It can be a very wet month, since it's the last month before we should see the start of our rainy season. On the other hand, it can, with a bit of luck, also be a sunny month. Changes of that are more likely in the beginning of the month. As a sample yesterday, first day of the month. It started out all nice and sunny. Halfway through the day, it turned cloudy and we had a shower or two.

Welcome to October 2020

As alreeady posted last week, there's a Big C mini about to open in Plai Laem. Yesterday that day came knocking on the door. With lots of ado the Big C mini opened. The usual balloons, tamboon and minor festivities happened. What I found more interested and funnier was what was happening at the other side of the road. Have a look at the next picture, below.

There some activities this month. Firstly, come 10th October there's a food and activity festival in Chaweng. It goes by the name of Asajan. A boutique festival. One of the participants is the Art Club in Nathon, about who I wrote recently. Maybe a good time and place to check them out!

“Asajan อัศจรรย์” meaning “miraculous” is a boutique festival in Koh Samui that brings together a group of musicians, craftsmen, and culinary artists to catalyze positive change and to celebrate the spectacle of life. Embrace the world of “Asajan อัศจรรย์”, an experience at the edge of miraculous curated by the people of our community.

Secondly, Samui will have it's first official running event. Sunday 18th October there will be a 5km and 15km trail race with start and finish at the Hin Lad waterfall. However, both races are already sold out. The original race was scheduled for 29th March. I'm looking forward to my 15km race. Just a bit more than two weeks to go.

Welcome to October 2020

Here we are, across the road. The local 7-11 decided that they also will celebrate. Probably as the only 7-11 outlet on the island. I couldn't help but smile at this in my eyes funny reaction to the opening of their competition across the road. This is Thailand!

Hang in there folks. These are tough times for many of us out there. Thailand has slowly opened a tiny bit or was of it's border. However, under stringent conditions and only for people with deep pockets. 300 tourists per week are allowed, with a hunch of leaning towards Chinese people it seems. A drop on a hot plate, but it's a start. Let's see how this develops. A 14 or 7 day quarantine is required. Hopefully no issues happen during this period!

Whilst you are here, 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. That is, once the travel restrictions have been lifted.

There are plenty Thais and foreigners, Westerners or farangs who have a hard time dealing with no income and bills to pay. Unfortunately I'm no exception to this rule. If you like this blog, this is a good time to help out and make a donation. If you can, it's much appreciated! There's a donation button on top of this page or ask me for other options. It's getting harder each week! Please do help if you can afford to do so!

Camille