What's the weather like in Hua Hin?
Just 190km south of Bangkok lies a little slice of Asian heaven known as Hua Hin, proudly selected as a royal resort thanks to its superb climate and hot weather. Quite central on the peninsula and fully exposed to the Gulf of Thailand, this splendid resort experiences a tropical savanna climate, with temperatures ranging from warm to hot throughout the year. Sitting on the north-eastern side of the peninsula, Hua Hin is subject to three main seasons, which the Thais refer to as "rainy", "cool and dry" and "hot". Westerners would rather call them "hot and rainy", "plain hot" and "scorching", but then again, most of us are used to four moderate seasons and not much tropical influence. For lovers of warmth and perfect waters which average at 28°C all year round, this is definitely the place to be! And despite its consistent annual precipitation, it still records one of the lowest rainfall measurements out of the entire country. For a 14-day forecast, check out this page for the latest updates.
Dry Season in Hua Hin
Temperature
The "cool and dry" season lasts from December up to February. The nights reach a welcome cool of around 22°C and the average daytime temperature wiggles around 26°C through the entire season but peaks still reach 30°C so don't expect to be cold! There is sunshine galore with 9 hours per day, although it is not as intense as throughout the rest of the year, and the waters are cool and perfect for pretty much all kinds of aquatic fun, with a constant temperature of 28-29°C.
Rain
December is the driest month of the year, and rain is rarely experienced during this period with up to 10mm at the most; but the tides are audaciously high and winds are expected to be quite bold in the afternoons. Humidity is gentle at 70% on average, and chances of clouds are also minimal. Christmas in Thailand has actually become a top favourite for many westerners over the past two decades, as the weather is comfortably hot and dry enough to make a seaside holiday an absolute delight during this time of the year compared to the wintery weather experienced back home.
Hot Season in Hua Hin
Temperature
Extending from March to June, the hot season boasts temperatures on an average of 29°C, with daytime highs expected to reach 34°C. The nights are also hot and sometimes uncomfortable, due to the high figures hovering around 26°C, but it is easily sorted with air conditioning which is now an essential feature for any accommodation found in Hua Hin. The afternoons can be a pleasure to be out and about, as the winds continue to blow, while the tides are moderate.
Rain
There are some light showers expected to sprinkle over the resort towards the end of the season, but that's always a welcome and cooling change, and the volume is not expected to exceed 120mm in May, with the lower end at 20mm in March and 40mm in April. Humidity is still moderate, at 75-78% on average, but it tends to go higher towards the wet season. This is a time when SPF protection lotions, water and a hat are often recommended as essential when you're out and about in the hot summer sun.
Wet Season in Hua Hin
Temperature
The wet season lasts from July all the way into November, its rainfall quite abundant, but Hua Hin does not experience the monsoons that are so typical for both the north and south of Thailand. Temperatures are expected to dwell around 28°C on average with the higher end at 33°C, and evening humidity levels relatively high compared to the hot season, at 83% on average and thus slightly oppressive on the dew points, which is where air conditioning will once again step in to save the day (or night, in this case!).
Rain
Mornings can sometimes be overcast, but most days tend to be more towards the hot and humid band, rather than the gloomy one. Rainfall will average at about 200mm in October alone, which is the wettest month out of the entire year, although the surrounding months will be slightly drier. The sea temperature stays perfect at 29°C on average, and the choppy October waters make Hua Hin a favourite for kiteboarding and parasailing, so whenever it isn't raining, you can still enjoy the wonderful beaches and plentiful sun, with 7 hours per day.
Resort Information
History
All in all, this is not your ordinary far-eastern resort, not in the least! The weather is gorgeous all the time, there is never much need for a long sleeve and the welcoming waters of the Gulf are simply more seductive than anywhere else in these parts of Asia. Its aristocratic roots extend back to the 1920s, when Rama VI (King Vajiravudh) and Rama VII (King Prajadhipok) built sumptuous residences here for the purpose of escaping the stifling hot Bangkok summers. The most famous of these edifices is named Phra Ratcha Wang Klai Kangwon, which translates to "Far from Worries Palace", lying just 3km north of the city and to this day still an official royal residence. In fact, Rama VII's endorsement of this beautiful city, along with the construction of the southern railway turned Hua Hin into the place to be for Thai nobility.
The city's touristic appeal truly bloomed in the 1980s, when numerous luxury hotels started moving in, bringing with them vivacious throngs of curious foreigners yearning for sun, sand, exotic cocktails and nocturnal frolicking. Today, all major international hotel chains own properties in Hua Hin, making it one of the most important destinations in this part of Asia. In fact, a growing number of wealthy expats choose to retire in condominiums overlooking the bay area, while middle class and high society Thais from Bangkok and other major cities come here during the weekend, for pure bliss and relaxation.
Environment
This is a moderate plain area with a lush vegetation, and diverse and exotic fauna, rumbling in typical jungles riddled with a variety of animals, from elephants to tigers, bears, crocodiles and even king cobras. Hua Hin is home to many incredible sights, including the eleven-tiered Pa La-U waterfall and the beautiful Hin Lek Fai Hill, also known as Flint Mountain. The neighbouring islets boast a healthy population of monkeys, while the coastline is sprinkled with reverent and stunning temples dedicated to Buddha.
Most importantly, Hua Hin is not only home to some truly breath-taking panoramas of white sand, azure waters and astonishing natural parks, it is also a haven built around the principle of privacy and relaxation, offering both through a wonderful abundance of massage facilities, peaceful accommodation and even getaway bungalows with easy access to private beaches, golf courses and eateries. Hua Hin gives you a complete package of holiday enjoyment, from herbal spa treatments to delicious Thai food, from luscious cocktails by the beach to crisp local beers in a city bar, blending the serene and peaceful atmosphere of a seaside resort with the vibrant spirit of the city.
