Is Phuket worth a visit during monsoon season?
Phuket - Thailand
How bad is monsoon season in Thailand?
Wat Chalong Temple Phuket
At Phuket airport’s passport control, the pace was as sluggish as a snail quivering through a trail of salt. We stood in a fog of weariness willing the speed to pick up so we could enter Thailand. We’d been awake for thirty six hours and couldn’t even call the short uncomfortable sleeps on the plane power naps. We were eager to get to our hotel.
We had booked our flights to Phuket with an unusual long layover of ten hours at Dubai airport. We could have chosen a shorter four hours but we had good reason to be at the airport for that length of time.
Our youngest son was residing in Dubai then and we would be able to see him for a few hours. In Phuket we would meet up with our eldest son, whom we hadn’t seen for a while either, as he lives in Australia. The meeting at the airport was bittersweet but thankfully after Phuket we would return for a further few days, spending Ramadan in Dubai.
The timing of the trip was disrupted for a number of reasons and had been postponed to the end of June, early July 2014. We weren’t sure whether it would be the best time to visit Phuket, considering it was monsoon season which lasts from May to October but we did not have much choice.
We had another issue. Was Phuket safe? At that time there was political instability in Thailand. With a coup d'état at the end of May, it was not necessarily the right time for a visit and we were concerned that we needed to cancel our trip. However, we would be in Phuket and not near Bangkok or other areas where there were curfews. Fortunately they had been lifted by the time we had arrived, so the trip went ahead.
Arrival in Phuket
After what seemed like light years, we were finally through customs. Our taxi dropped us off at Sunprime Kamala Beach Resort, where our eldest was waiting for us. Another joyful reunion! We spent a few days with him.
Kamala Beach
This was our second visit to Phuket and it is fascinating how perceptions change. Our previous visit was in April. The seas were calm and the humid climate at least didn’t cause any deluges. This time it rained as we landed. Was this a premonition of what lay ahead for the time we were in Thailand.
For the next few days the skies were molten grey and the air heavy. The seas were a burbling pea soup. The clouds opened their sluice gates regularly and we often had to run for shelter. We were expecting some storms but weren’t sure if it would put a damper on our entire holiday.
When the sun showed its face briefly we had a dip in the hotel pool but the sea stayed restless. Many of the restaurants that were usually on the beach were closed or had been cleared away. We weren't sure if it was because of the monsoon or because the government had ordered them to be removed.
The culture of Thailand
In my opinion there are at least two distinct cultures in Thailand – the tourist one and the authentic one. There is more to Thailand than just seedy strip shows and kaleidoscopic luminous nightclubs.
Walking down one of Patong’s most infamous Bangla Road we found dealers soliciting clients for what many would think are misogynistic ping pong shows. Other vendors wanted to sell us gadgets, tempting garments or cheap plastic toys. In fact they had countless choices of much of the same thing whilst trying to entice us with the ‘same, same but different’ slogan.
Where Thawewong Road meets Bangla Road in Patong
But there was so much more to see in Phuket. I had no desire to have any curiosity satisfied watching ladyboys or other crazy attractions but I had great delight in walking through the food markets or watching the vendors rustling up a tasty treat on their spotlessly clean mobile kitchens.
The buzz of activity swept us away while watching some of the ordinary life of Thai people as well as its visitors.
We rode in quirky tuk tuks and ate street or market food. Fortunately some of the monsoon rain cleared and we went to beaches adorned with thousands of deck chairs and umbrellas to satisfy the need of every tourist.
Beautifully folded bamboo leaf food parcels - not sure what was in them
Somewhat less appealing!
Accommodation in Phuket
We even did a few things that we didn't do on our previous trip and went to a temple, the big Buddha and an orchid farm while we hired a taxi to take us around Phuket.
Phuket Orchid Farm
There are more than 1,500 different hybrids and species on display at the Phuket Orchid Farm, including vanilla plants. They even boast a mushroom farm as well as a hydroponic garden.
Wat Chalong Temple
The Wat Chalong Temple is visited by many and is the largest of Phuket's temples. It’s impressive buildings and gardens are worth a visit. The entrance is free but enter with respect and as with all Buddhist temples, there is a strict dress code to adhere to.
No shoes are allowed inside a temple and women are not allowed to show their knees or shoulders.
It is forbidden to touch the Buddhist relics or statues. It goes without saying when inside the temple if necessary to speak, do so in a hushed voice.
Big Buddha
The impressive seated Buddha statue is just over 25 meters wide and 45 meters high and cladded with white jade marble, Suriyakanta, from Myanmar. It can be seen from many areas in Phuket, but is worth a closer look.
Onwards to Phi Phi
When our visit to Phuket came to an end we had a few days on Phi Phi island as well. Should you visit Koh Phi Phi?
At the time of writing, the Corona virus has stopped the world in its tracks. Tourists are for now not allowed to travel. In most countries the streets are empty while many industries are reeling with the impact of lockdown or self-isolation.
Tourism counts for a significant proportion of Thailand’s economy. Who knows when tourists will be allowed back and how many restrictions there will be.
At the same time, however, the environment will recover somewhat, if not sufficiently, without the influx of tourists and boats around the many beautiful islands, so there is one small silver lining on an otherwise dark and gloomy cloud.
Click on image to pin for later
Click on image to pin for later
About the Author
ALMA VAN AS | ROAMING FOX
Alma is a South African travel blogger and writer. She hopes to inspire you with facts and fables about her adventures, road trips and international travel.
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The stress of packing or planning for an international trip can dampen your enthusiasm especially if this is the first time you are venturing halfway around the world or even to one of your neighbouring countries.