Water clarity south of Jomtien?

[impulse]

Made my first trip in several months to my favorite beachside resort south of Jomtien this weekend.  Normally, the water is green and clear to the beach and I can see the bottom at 6-10' from my kayak just 100 meters from shore.  Half a mile out, the water normally turns blue.

 

This weekend, the beachside water was brown and visibility didn't go past 5' even a mile offshore.  I tried to paddle up into a little river where the fishing boats park, but the stench of sewage stopped me about 50 meters off the entrance.  What a disappointment.  I cut my visit short by a half a day on a 2 day weekend.  Hardly worth the 2-1/2 hour drive from BKK.

 

Is this a seasonal thing, or because of the recent rains, or is it just getting that bad?  I'd like to time my next visit with some nicer water, or just find somewhere else to go kayaking.  (Though I like the proximity of Jomtien to BKK for a normal weekend jaunt.)  Anybody know a good beachside hotel to kayak from within a 3-4 hour drive from BKK on a Friday afternoon?  Any longer than that and it doesn't make for much of a weekend.