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Sunrise 06:19
Sunset 18:00
Sunrise 06:19
Sunset 18:00
Sorted by popularity:
Updated at 06:01 GMT
Sunrise 06:19
Sunset 18:00
Temp feels like:
42ºC (108 ºF)
Length of day:
11h 41m
Pressure:
29" (1009 hpa)
Visibility:
5 miles (9 km)
Wind speed:
5 km/h
Just off the southeastern coast of Thailand lies the island of Ko Chang, which, thanks to its stunning scenery, friendly vibe and tropical climate resulting in year-round pleasant beach weather, has become a popular holiday destination in Southeast Asia.
The "Elephant Island" derives its name from its shape, which greatly resembles the head of an elephant, and attracts a steady flow of tourists every year. A tropical island, Ko Chang is studded with beautiful beaches and reefs along the coasts, while inland, visitors will discover rich evergreen forests that shroud the natural wonders of clear waterfalls and steep rock cliffs.
The climate in Ko Chang is of the tropical monsoon type, which means that the island experiences only two annual seasons a dry season and rainy season. The average annual temperature in Ko Chang is around 27.8°C, but the temperature varies slightly for each month, depending on the season. Daytime temperatures in Ko Chang can reach a maximum average of 32°C in April, while the lowest afternoon temperature is around 27°C in August and September. Nights are warm, sometimes uncomfortably warm, throughout the whole yearverage low temperatures range between 19°C and 23°C. If you're visiting Ko Chang, it is strongly recommended to ensure that your hotel room has air-conditioning.
The average annual rainfall in Ko Chang is at 1,497mm, with July being the wettest month of the year. Though June, August and September aren't too far behind. Ko Chang experiences around 128 days of rainfall every year, but this number is gradually increasing as the seasons become more unpredictable due to the occasional visits of summer storms that bring bountiful amounts of rain to the island.
If you're looking to visit Ko Chang in the near future, you can check out our up-to-date weather forecast.
Dry season: November April
The dry season in Ko Chang begins during the month of November and extends until the end of April. During these months, which also include the warmest months of the year, the daytime temperatures in Ko Chang can soar to a scorching 40°C in extreme cases, with April being the hottest month of the year at an average daily temperature of 28°C. Daytime temperatures between March and May, the hottest period of the year, shift only a few notches usually one or two degrees above or below 31°C, and this can prove to be very uncomfortable to spend time engaging in outdoor activities in Ko Chang, especially during high noon. It is not unusual to experience a heat wave with several days of temperatures in the mid-30s or higher.
The nighttime temperatures are considerably lower, averaging on 23°C between the months of April and May, but there are sporadic times when the night air gets too humid for a comfortable night's sleep. Although the dry season is usually characterised by dry spells and baking hot temperatures, there are occasional occurrences of rain showers, bringing in a wave of cool and refreshing atmosphere into Ko Chang to the relief of locals and tourists alike.
Particularly the remnants of the rainy season in October can bring in a cool atmosphere to Ko Chang on the onset of November, and this cool season lasts until the month of February. The period between November and February marks the height of tourism for Ko Chang and other popular tourist destinations in Thailand because the weather is pleasurable, with average temperatures lowering to around 25°C during November, December and January. This season also marks the driest months in Ko Chang, especially during the month of December when the average amount of precipitation is recorded at an all-year low of merely 17mm. The rest of the months are also characterised with little or no rainfall, and night temperatures in Ko Chang can even reach around 19°C. The regular temperatures during the day sit around 30°C to 31°C.
The dry season is also by far the sunniest time of year. Cloudless skies can be enjoyed on many days and the average number of sunshine hours per day is 8 to 9, which is the annual maximum.
Rainy season: May - October
Ko Chang experiences a wave of heavy downpours and wet spells on the onset of the rainy season, which usually begins during the first few days of May and lasts until the final days of October. The rainy season in Ko Chang is intense as it brings in a shower of rainfall amounting to an average of 4000mm in a year, and most accommodations and guesthouses on the island close up during this season. The daytime in Ko Chang still experiences a frenzy of heat and dryness at temperatures ranging between 30°C to 32°C, but frequent downpours of rain are to be expected throughout the day. Occasional monsoons, thunderstorms and lightning weather activities can also be expected during the rainy season in Ko Chang, as this is the time of the year when the island receives almost 90 percent of the annual rainfall.
The clouds that bring in this wetness, of course, also shelter the resort's beaches from sunshine. This is the least sunny time of year, each day having about 7 hours of sunshine on average. This, however, is by no means significantly low. 7 sunshine hours each day is plenty to get tan.
The month of July is noted to be the wettest month of the season, with precipitation amounting up to 558mm on average. It may not be pleasurable to visit Ko Chang during the rainy season, especially for those who are expecting a sunny summer getaway on the island's sandy beaches on the west, because the rain showers can often go on for an entire day. On the other hand, these enormous downpours fuel the many waterfalls in the region, which grow to spectacular proportions this time of year.
Hotels that remain open and outdoor activities for tourists in Ko Chang are often discounted to almost half of the standard market price during the rainy season. The rainy season also disrupts the nightlife in Ko Chang, as occasional 30-minute rain showers can be experienced by nightfall. The nighttime temperatures are still quite high at an average of 22°C or 23°C, but the rain helps to ease up the warm temperatures during the night. Goes without saying that humidity can be a problem for tourists during this hot and wet season.