BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi all, hopefully this is a broad enough question to be answerable by some of you more seasoned Thailand travelers...

I've already been in Thailand for two months (July and August) and have a feel for what it's like in the "low season." I'm currently in Cambodia, then Vietnam, then China or Laos, but in December I've convinced my parents to come for a 10 days in Thailand. Before anybody says it, I know that sometime other than the high season would probably be much more ideal, and I imagine December might be hell with people on Christmas/winter holiday (I'm really really hoping not!), but December 4th - 14th is all they could swing.

Anyway, with that said my question is pretty simple: Is high season totally different then low season? As is there was only 1 free room at Big Blue diving and in general things were pretty busy. All of our buses have been full, all of our trains have been full, etc, etc. I'm just hoping you might be able to put my fears to rest or offer me some advice as to what I should/should not do differently from the "low season."

Thanks all!

p.s. in particular I'm curious about Koh Tao as we'll be heading from BKK to Pruchuap Khiri Khan for a night, then down to Koh Tao for the rest of the time to dive.

it's called high season for a reason! There are tons and tons of people in Thailand. Maybe a little less due to recent political problems but even still, this place is packed and prices go up. Ko Tao sees a lot of tourists, especially over the holiday time.

Even in the beginning of december you will see a lot of people.

So yes, it will be crowded.

It may be high season, but it could be about 70% less high than normal according to this, and many other reports. I would not worry about being overrun with tourists or high prices this year.

There are a lot of things to realize...

You are traveling during the end of the summer holidays for American/European tourists. I just left Koh Tao yesterday (I live in Khao Lak on the Andaman Coast) and it is dead. The last two months were very busy. And that was actually not low season for Koh Tao.
The Andaman coast is in the middle of low season. Many places are closed or quiet due to the monsoons. This will change in 6 weeks and then everyone will be heading to this coast.
Koh Tao will be heading into rains in November and they will be into their low season.
Thailand is a big place and where it's raining - somewhere it's dry. Where it's busy - there are places it's not.
In December Koh Tao might be busy, but if the rains are still there - it won't be that bad. Typically right around the holidays there is a large spike in numbers.
So the long way around to your question - who knows! It will probably be busy as it's close to Christmas. I'd call Jim at big Blue and ask him for a room and such - he'll sort you out.



Or try diving at the really good sites!
Marcel, Filip, Ricky, Rick, Anna, Sonia are all working here in Khao Lak!