Winter in Thailand

synergy12 · Since 31 May 2007 142 Posts Stoked

Hey,

Anyone going to Thailand this winter. Just checking to see if anyone local will be there and to see if we could meet up somewhere.

Great winds last Winter, hoping for more of the same this year!

Mike

hopefall · Since 13 Feb 2009 79 Posts Couve

I've been to Thailand a couple of times pre-kiting days...my favorite place! Very Happy

Where are the best kite spots?

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Oct 21, 09 10:01 am

Man I would give up my left testicle to go to Thailand this winter. That place is amazing!!

The food, the temples, the scenery, the pedophile german guys.. ok, they are not so great but Thailand sure is a spectacular destination.

synergy12 · Since 31 May 2007 142 Posts Stoked

Best Spots:

Nov through mid January: Thung Wua Laen. See: http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-11766.html&highlight=thailand

Mid January- Mid February: Bad month last year.....went to Koh Phangan and had 3-4 days of wind in the 30 days we were there.

Mid February through April and into May: Hua Hin for hot thermals. The hotter it is the harder it blows. Average kite 12 meters, bigger guys on 16's.

__________________________________________________________________

We are heading there November 1st and going to Thung Wua Laen.

If anyone is going to Thung Wua Laen.... ask for Mike & Sue at the Mini Mart at the north end of the beach road. We live up the hill behind the mini mart. "Sang" will know us for sure and point out the house we rent for $260 a month. Do without AC and knock a hundred off that price.

Gotta love Thailand. Cheap and food paradise!

typhoon · Since 02 Sep 2009 26 Posts Portland

Never been to Thailand. What's the best time of year to go?

hopefall · Since 13 Feb 2009 79 Posts Couve

Both times I've gone March. This is the dry season. Of all of the places I've been, Thailand is by far the best. Great culture, people, food and world class beaches. You can eat, drink and travel for very little within the country. They thrive on tourism.

The north is great for hiking and seeing the tribal life. The south, on both coasts, are unbeatable for the beach life. I'd recommend Koh Tao and Koh Phi Phi, both islands. My wife beat the hell out of this French girl during amateur night at the Thai kickboxing arena on Koh Phi Phi, with lots of love and drinks afterward.

Bangkok is worth a few days on its own, but get out quick and go see the country.

I didn't kite at the time, so I can't speak to that.

Hands down, the best vacation spot on earth.

synergy12 · Since 31 May 2007 142 Posts Stoked

Sorry,

I guess I did not say November thru January are the best months to go, not only for wind, but it is the coolest time of year with temps in the low to mid 80's with humidity in the 35-45% range. Super comfortable in and out of the water.

So, anyone coming?

jdubs · Since 21 May 2008 36 Posts

My wife and I will be honeymooning for five weeks in Thailand starting the beginning of March. I'm not sure I'll be able to convince her to go through Hua Hin. But maybe. We have a sailboat rental for a week out of Phuket which I imagine will be the highlight of the trip. Is the kiting around Phuket pretty much dead March and April?

synergy12 · Since 31 May 2007 142 Posts Stoked

I have not been to Phuket. Best bet is to call the KBA kiting center there, and Hua Hin center and ask them how it has been. Also, WindFinder is pretty good for Thailand. more so for the NE Monsoon winds for some reason. Use this WindFinder Link: http://www.windfinder.com/forecasts/wind_southeast_asia_animation.htm This is pretty accurate for the first three days. I like the way it shows the progression of the winds in the South China Sea.

Kiting was good thru March in Hua Hin (when I left), and I heard it blew nearly all of April as well. You will need a 12 with good bottom end, and maybe a 10 if you are small. There can be jelly fish there. We saw a bunch of the non stinging variety on the beach, but while out kiting I did see some of the reddish purple bad ones. Lots of folks take some nylon leggings or a pair of nylon pants, I just tried to be careful of them. I did not hear of anyone getting stung in the month I was there. I am bringing something this year. I may or may not wear them, depending on conditions.

The condo tower right behind KBA in Hua Hin rents vacant owned condos for about $250/ month. They only rent for the month, but even if you are there for only two weeks, it is a good deal. Swimming pool, weight room, and every room has a balcony allowing a view of the ocean, a Fridge, TV, Hot Plate, Cooking Utensils, etc. You always know when it is starting by looking out the door. It also has satellite TV, a movie theater in town a mall with a Western Style Grocery store.

Whatever,

Have Fun!

synergy12 · Since 31 May 2007 142 Posts Stoked

Here is the link for a youtube video of Thung Wua Laen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWlRjZGh7GY

STORMRIDER · Since 17 Jul 2007 229 Posts Stoked

how about a run down of does and don't...things to stay away from and must do's.
can you drink the water in the returants? ice cubes? malaria?anything of interest and importance

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Nov 02, 09 1:30 pm

Mark · Mon Nov 02, 09 1:34 pm

Headed over for the month of Feb. Hope to check out some of the spots.

Nak · Mon Nov 02, 09 5:53 pm

mmac · Since 15 May 2005 93 Posts SC

I'm not going to Thailand but was planning to go to Boracay in the Phillipines Jan-Feb. Anyone been there or know what it would be like for a month or so?

Nak · Mon Nov 02, 09 6:42 pm

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

been there a couple of times.
when arriving in bangkok, you can go to koh san road and they can help get your butt on the fast bus out of town.
visit the islands like tao, phi phi, and Phangan (full moon party).
phuket will remind you of a extreme tourist place and so will samui. very busy with lights everywhere.
try and rent scooters and head out of chang mai and explore the north country.
I did this and it was the best experience I had in thailand. check out the elephant sanctuaries too.
if you have plenty of time and want to kiteboard, get a visa while in thailand and then fly to hoh chi minh city then go to mui ne. the wind will be better there. garanteed.
thailand is awesome, but my opinion is it is better to visit for an overall experience and not to be considered for an epic kiteboarding adventure.