Source
r/ThailandTourism•
Solndt

Is it a bad idea to fly to Phuket today with the current weather?

Phuket/Krabi/South

Hi everyone! I need your help to make a last minute decision.

I’m solo traveling Thailand and flying to Phuket today but my flight was delayed multiple times. I let my family know and not long after they suggested going elsewhere because of the current storm alert. Of course, they can only go by what they read on the news and apparently it’s all pretty negative - they’ve read there’s severe moonson risk right now.

Now, from what I know, yes, there’s heavy rains, but that’s it. Nothing life-threatening, no huge chances of me getting stuck in Phuket amidst a hurricane or anything if I fly for my scheduled fortnight to be there. Sure, won’t be getting as much beach time as planned, but that won’t kill me.

Still, now I’m a bit spooked and I’m wandering if I should head for Samui/Tao instead. What is the situation down in Phuket right now? Too bad? Nothing major? If I decide to change my plans it’ll have to be within the next couple hours.

So: is it that bad of an idea to visit Phuket now? Should I go anyways or change my plans?

Thank you!

EDIT:

Thanks everyone! I’m currently in Phuket enjoying the morning sun and will do some baking when it rains. Very much glad I didn’t change my plans. Cheers!

Posted May 29, 2023, 5:18 AM UTC · edited

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Minute-Cricket•

Hmm dunno Phuket but I'm in Lanta On the same coast and weather Is crap, like if you're here for a few days and want blue waters it's not happening

2
SolndtOP•

Hi! Thanks for answering. Blue waters would be ideal but I really don’t mind staying inside the apartment (for once it has a nice view and a stovetop) reading and chilling. It’s more of a safety concern. Like if I’ll get stuck on the island or something, I’ll change plans. But rainy days I’ll tolerate it. Do you think there’s any chances of that happening or are my parents more likely overreacting to one news article?

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Token_Thai_person•

0% Chance of being stuck on the Phuket island, You can always leave by car/bus

3
SolndtOP•

You’re right. Completely forgot about that.

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Minute-Cricket•

Hmm maybe someone in Phuket itself can answer ... here there's a storm warning every day but so far in past two weeks it's been sunny about 4-5 days, a little bit rainy about 3 days and the past few days there's been big rains most of the day. You can still go out and do stuff but you can't plan any excursions because at some point you'll get caught in a big rain

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Amazon_river•

Hurricanes don't really happen here, it's just a lot of rain, so mostly overcast all day, brief periods where the rain will be suuper heavy, but that's true all across SE Asia, it is monsoon season. Bad flooding tends to be October and November time.

So not dangerous, just a bit boring, you can still see a few things but Phuket's highlight is the beaches. If it is sunny, swimming at the beaches can still be tricky because the waves are very big.

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PleasantMuscle3042•

There has been at least one fatal crash at HKT during a heavy storm that I remember well. The rain was going sideways that day. But I don't currently see any planes circling or going back around or diverted. https://www.flightradar24.com/airport/hkt

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FlightBunny•

Pilot error and a shitty airline if I remember, 1-2-Go

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-Two-GO_Airlines_Flight_269

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PleasantMuscle3042•

Do you remember the weather that day? I sure do! About the worst storm as I have seen there in the 17 years I've had a house there. The pilot shouldn't have tried to land. Cross winds blew the jet into the berm on the side of the runway.

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BigDanglyOnes•

We turbulently circled the bay south of Bangkok for over an hour last week coming from Phuket.

The rain was lashing the windows and the lightning was mental. Didn’t feel in any danger though. The pilot said waiting for better weather around the airport.

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Acceptable_Goose2322•

I doubt the weather will be bad enough to spoil the holiday. And it certainly won't be, for the whole of your holiday.

But if it were ... the last places you want to be stuck, are islands.

1