Chiang Mai This Time Of Year?

[donx]

My family will be travelling to Thailand in a week. My wife was interested in visiting Chiang Mai this year, but information I have gathered on the internet suggests that this is not a good time of year to visit this region because of excessive rainfall. I visited several years ago in February and really enjoyed it. Can anyone confirm or deny what I have read?

[lopburi3]

Departed Chiang Mai Wednesday last week and was raining every day but most of the time just light rain and not a real problem. It does help to keep the temperature down and the air clean(er). It is not like February however.

[ThaiPauly]

There has been no rain here for the last 2 days, and when it does rain it does not last very long.

It is however very hot

Come, you will enjoy it

[The_Doctor]

Agree with Thaipauly...

Right now it's sunny... Minimal rain, but when there is it doesn't interfere much...

It rained yesterday for about 15-20 mins...

[Steve2UK]

I'm coming back to Chiang Mai 9-28 June. I'd kind of resigned myself to the fact that it would be raining a LOT - i.e. very frequently if not always a heavy downpour - and that I'd need a car the whole time. From what you guys are saying, it's just the very occasional shower - which makes me think a motorbike will be OK (which I prefer and is way cheaper).

What do you reckon - given the season? (I know that it's all down to personal preference and that I'm asking a very general question).

[PeaceBlondie]

Steve, here's what weather.com says for Chiang Mai:

June 90.0° F 76.0° F rain, 5.30 in

July 89.0° F 75.0° F rain, 6.60 in

August 88.0° F 75.0° F rain, 8.90 in

September 88.0° F 74.0° F rain, 9.90 in

Six inches of rain is a fairly large amount. You can rent a 125cc bike for less than 150 baht per day, especially long-term. But you might want a rainsuit. In fact, if you go to a motorcycle shop in the USA, buy me an XL two-piece cheap suit and I'll pay you extra for it when you get here. The Thai rainsuits are usually too small for a farang and slightly better than a shopping bag.

You know me; I'd ride a bike every time. but you probably like a roof over your head.

I went to a job interview today, riding a bike through 2 p.m. Chiang Mai traffic. I swear it was 45 on the pavement (or 111 degrees F). I sweated getting to the interview, and by the time I got home, I was soaked. And that's with almost zero humidty!

"Up to you, Mr. Farang man."

[Steve2UK]

Steve, here's what weather.com says for Chiang Mai:

June 90.0° F 76.0° F  rain, 5.30 in

July 89.0° F 75.0° F  rain, 6.60 in

August 88.0° F 75.0° F  rain, 8.90 in

September 88.0° F 74.0° F  rain, 9.90 in

Six inches of rain is a fairly large amount.  You can rent a 125cc bike for less than 150 baht per day, especially long-term.  But you might want a rainsuit.  In fact, if you go to a motorcycle shop in the USA, buy me an XL two-piece cheap suit and I'll pay you extra for it when you get here.  The Thai rainsuits are usually too small for a farang and slightly better than a shopping bag.

You know me; I'd ride a bike every time.  but you probably like a roof over your head.

I went to a job interview today, riding a bike through 2 p.m. Chiang Mai traffic.  I swear it was 45 on the pavement (or 111 degrees F).  I sweated getting to the interview, and by the time I got home, I was soaked.  And that's with almost zero humidty!

"Up to you, Mr. Farang man."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi again, PB

Yep - you've got me sussed........ I'm more of a fair-weather biker even when I had my own 125 trail-bike in London (UK, not USA) and not a patch on that gorgeous machine of yours. I'll look around in London for that suit you mentioned - want to name a colour or you fancy the see-thru if they have them?

From what I hear, June's more about the odd showers - doesn't bother me if a few of them are heavy. I'm mainly thinking about getting around Chiang Mai town and the odd trip out to Doi Suthep and the like, so the odd soaking isn't going to hurt - and it's not as if I'll be the only one looking like a drowned rodent

Given those temperatures, I'm trying to work out whether I'll dry off in no time or be permanently soaked in sweat, anyhow

Reckon I'll get myself a decent 125cc that's been properly maintained. Any hire-shop recommendations in CM?

[donx]

Thank you everyone for your replies. As it turns out, my wife decided to have us visit her sister on Koh Samui instead of visiting Chiang Mai. Since she and the kids will be staying in Thailand for 2 and a half months, she may end up going to Chiang Mai in the middle of June after I return to the U.S.

[ThaiPauly]

It rained yesterday for about 15-20 mins...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I must have been asleep! Never saw a drop.

Did not rain Yesterday(Thursday) either, although there was a lot of thunder last night. It is not raining this morning a 6am so thats a good start

[ThaiPauly]

Thank you everyone for your replies. As it turns out, my wife decided to have us visit her sister on Koh Samui instead of visiting Chiang Mai.  Since she and the kids will be staying in Thailand for 2 and a half months, she may end up going to Chiang Mai in the middle of June after I return to the U.S.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My Wife's Brother said it was raining in Surat Thani yesterday

[The_Doctor]

It rained yesterday for about 15-20 mins...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I must have been asleep! Never saw a drop.

Did not rain Yesterday(Thursday) either, although there was a lot of thunder last night. It is not raining this morning a 6am so thats a good start

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was at Payap around 4pm Wednesday and a storm flew through - very quickly... Am pretty sure I didn't imagine it!

[Ricardo]

Just returned from a short trip to the (freezing) UK , and boy, it's HOT ! HOT ! HOT ! back home in Chiang-Mai ... suits me just fine

[Rinrada]

Its cold and pis......bucketing down in Islington and my train was late again. ..but apart from that alls well.....no hurricanes expected today.

One of our guys is leaving today to take up another position with a major consultancy so big pis.....booze up tonight in the "Compton Arms" .....roll on the weekend and visit to the supermarket (Jesu C that sounds so...boring ...innit)MPR...next week Chiang Mai

Incid. the guy who is leaving is only 64 but he wants a new challange

[The_Other_Mac]

Rain, rain, rain...it's a very interesting topic or three...