My fiance and I are thinking about spending about 2 weeks in Laos and Thailand for our honeymoon in Aug. Our tentative plan is to start off in Louang Phabang and boat down to Vientien. From there work our way to Phuket, and finish up there.

My primary concern is that we will be in the rainy season and that especially the boating in Laos is going to be truly miserable. We'd really like to take this trip though, and this is the best opportunity that we have for a while to take a trip of this length.

Has anyone taken a similar trip at this time of year, or have any information about what the weather is likely to be like and if we'll be able to enjoy ourselves.

I was in thailand this year all august and september. Weather was good, there was a few days of rain but not much at all.The worst weather was in Phuket, i was in kata beach. My advice would be pick another place in thailand. Krabi maybe Railay. Koh yao yai is very quite and relaxing with amazing scenery. Koh samui has nice places near silver beach. The weathers nicer in other places at this time off year and Phuket is far from special. Hope this helps.

The weather in Thailand is reasonable most times of year, although it certainly gets hot during the summer! November through February are the coolest times of year and there is certainly less rain then than at other times in the year. The rainy season kicks in around the end of May and goes on until October. The Thai government’s Meteorological Department provides an English language website (http://www.tmd.go.th) with key information about Thailand’s weather, including forecasts and summaries. Buddha images are sacred, whatever size or condition. Never climb on a Buddha image, and be very careful about taking photos – some images are so sacred photographs are forbidden.

I was in this region in 2008 during August, Sept, and October, and the rain wasn't too big a deal. The only time I remember it really being a deterrent was in Vietnam at the end of September... it rained all day, but we still went out and did stuff. Rainy season just means that there's a little bit of rain every day, but considering how crazy hot it is, a little cooling-off is actually really nice. Just bring a breathable rain jacket, and quick-drying material clothing, ESPECIALLY pants. No one likes sitting on a bus in wet pants.