What's the Weather like in Ko Samui in December?
Temperature
December marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the dry season in Ko Samui. This is also the cooler part of the year, although cool has to be taken with a big grain of salt. The average temperature is 27°C, only three degrees less than May, the hottest month of the year. The average daily low temperature in December is 24°C; the average daily high is 29°C, both exactly the same as November. These temperatures don't seem to change at all in the course of the month. December is the second-coolest month of the year, after January, but 88% of the days are still classified as warm and 12% as hot. The temperature of the water in the Gulf of Thailand ranges around 27°C, allowing for a very pleasant dip in the sea.
As the weather moves towards the dry season, the skies start to clear. The beginning of December is characterised by 85% of cloud cover, which means mostly cloudy skies, but by the end of the month it has dropped to 78% partly cloudy skies. Clearing skies, of course, also result in an increase of sunshine.
Sunshine Hours
After seven months, from May through November, of only 6 hours of sunshine per day, December sees an increase of sunshine hours. Now, you can enjoy seven hours of sunshine per day.
The length of the days in December is constant. The difference between the shortest and longest days is a mere two minutes. December 1 is the longest day of the month with 11.36 hours of daylight. December 21 is the shortest day of the month and also of the entire year with 11.34 daylight hours. December 31 still has 11.34 hours of daylight.
Rain
With the clearing of the skies, the amount of rainfall drops drastically. December receives a total of 150mm of rainfall, far less than the enormous cloudbursts of October and November, months with respective totals of 290mm and 430mm of precipitation. December is the fourth-wettest month of the year, after the monsoon months of October and November, and May. There are still nine days of rainfall in the course of the month, a number that is shared with May, June and July. The chance that you will experience rain varies throughout the month. In the beginning of the month there is a daily chance of 47% that rainfall will occur; by the end of the month that chance has decreased to 37%. The types of rainfall that are observed are light rain, moderate rain and thunderstorms. Light rain is the most common type, with a 47% chance on any rainy day. Moderate rain is second-most common and is experienced on 27% of the days of precipitation. Thunderstorms occur on 24% of the rainy days.
Humidity
The average humidity in December ranges around 85%, which is very humid. It will stay this way until the end of March. In terms of fog, there is a significant rise compared to November. Now, there are eight fog days, three days more than a month ago and one day less than the absolute maximum of nine in January.
Ko Samui Hotels in December
Vana Belle
Vana Belle is another luxury resort on Chaweng Noi Beach, located only minutes from the restaurants and bars of Chaweng Beach and a 20-minute drive from the airport. This five-star resort consists of high-end villas that are equipped with all modern luxury comforts, such as flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, a rain shower, polished teakwood floors, private balconies, 24-hour in-room dining, a mini-bar, DVD and CD player, walk-in closet, private plunge pool, writing desk and individual climate control. Other amenities are a beachfront infinity pool; a 24-hour fitness centre; Vana Spa offering treatments and wellness therapies; a library where you can read books, listen to music and watch DVDs; and a personal butler service. The resort also has two restaurants. Kiree is the signature restaurant and serves Thai food in the mornings and evenings; Panali is an Italian-themed restaurant that offers all-day dining options.
Amari
Also in Chaweng lies Amari. This four-star resort is situated at the beach and right next to the action of downtown Chaweng. The resort offers a wealth of accommodation options, with 20 Superior Beach King Rooms, 16 Deluxe Thai Village Family Rooms, 29 Deluxe Thai Village Rooms, 31 Deluxe Pool View Rooms and 84 Deluxe Garden Wing Rooms. Amenities include a tour desk, two swimming pools and a children's pool, water sports equipment rental, a spa, a PADI dive centre etcetera. Its two restaurant serve either Italian or Thai food and there are also two snack bars.
Ko Samui Beach for December
Ko Phangan
One of the most famous islands in Thailand is Ko Phangan. It is located only 12 kilometres from Ko Samui and is the country's fifth-largest island. You can only reach it by ferry from the mainland or Ko Samui. This island is virtually unspoilt and consists of dense jungle and long white sandy beaches. The surrounding waters are home to more than twenty diving sites and the beaches and bays can't get more tropical than this.
The island's biggest claim to fame, however, is that it is home to the (in)famous Full Moon Parties, huge monthly beach parties that reach their yearly climax at New Year's Eve with crowds ranging between 10,000 and 30,000 people.
Bars and Restaurants
Bondi Aussie Bar & Grill
The Bondi Aussie Bar & Grill in both Lamai and Chaweng has nothing to do with Thai food, but it sure is a fun place to hang out. It is part of a chain in Thailand; there is another restaurant in Phuket. In Lamai, Bondi Bar is located amidst all activity, opposite the crowded Central Plaza and its bars and outdoor Thai Boxing ring. Bondi Bar is located in a separate one-storey building and is a lively watering hole where you can watch Premier League football and other sports or listen to live music. There is a large selection of cocktails and beers, and the food is great. The menu consists of classic pub food, such as burgers, fish and chips, pizza, steak, barbecue ribs and pasta.
Kobori Japanese Restaurant
Another restaurant that serves foreign food is Kobori Japanese Restaurant in Maenam. This is often regarded as the best Japanese restaurant on the island and is located in a two-storey building on Maenam's Walking Street. Its interior is in a sober Japanese style and the menu contains a wide choice of sushi, sashimi and teppanyaki. The restaurant is also known for its selection of Sake.
Things to do in Ko Samui in December
Big Buddha Temple
For culture you should visit the Big Buddha Temple, located on a little island on the northeast coast of the island. This is in fact one of the most popular attractions on Ko Samui. The big Buddha Temple is known among locals as Wat Phra Yai and features a huge 12-metre-high golden statue of the Buddha, which can be seen from several kilometres away. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway.
This is a sacred site and you are asked to dress appropriately when visiting. The courtyard underneath the statue is always filled with vendors selling souvenirs, amulets, clothing and all kinds of artefacts. You can grab a bite to eat at one of many food stalls as well. The best time to visit is in early morning, when locals go there to offer food and flowers and light incense at the statue's base. This is also when the monks do their morning chanting. At night Big Buddha is covered in spotlights, creating a striking and truly exotic sight.
Ko Phangan
One of the most famous islands in Thailand is Ko Phangan. It is located only 12 kilometres from Ko Samui and is the country's fifth-largest island. You can only reach it by ferry from the mainland or Ko Samui. This island is virtually unspoilt and consists of dense jungle and long white sandy beaches. The surrounding waters are home to more than twenty diving sites and the beaches and bays can't get more tropical than this.
The island's biggest claim to fame, however, is that it is home to the (in) famous Full Moon Parties, huge monthly beach parties that reach their yearly climax at New Year's Eve with crowds ranging between 10,000 and 30,000 people.
