Seasons in Ko Samui & the Gulf coast
The rain runs September to January
Which part of the country
It is rainy season in Ko Samui & the Gulf coast right now, and it runs September to January. The rain tends to come hard and short rather than all day, and it stays warm through it — so the thing to bring is a shell you can fold into a day bag, not a coat.
Going in October
The Gulf coast catches the northeast monsoon instead, so it rains here while the Andaman coast is dry. Heaviest from October to December.
What this means for your bag
A packable rain shell
Not a winter coat — it stays warm through the rain. A light hooded shell that folds into its own pocket ends up in the day bag instead of the hotel room.
See the Weather Protection packQuick-dry fabrics
Cotton takes two days to dry in this air and starts to smell before it does. Synthetics and merino wash in a sink and are wearable by morning.
See the Summer Sun Kit packShoes that survive being soaked
Streets flood faster than they drain. Sandals or mesh trainers dry overnight; leather does not, and one wet pair means walking in wet shoes all week.
See the Active & Adventure packA dry bag or two
Phone, passport and camera in something sealed. A cheap roll-top bag also doubles as the wet-clothes bag on the way home.
See the Weather Protection pack
Build a packing plan around the season you are actually travelling in.