(SOMERK WITTHAYANANT / Shutterstock.com)
The Thai Meteorological Department said today that a rain area is active in the central and lower northeastern regions, in addition, the moderate southwest monsoon is active over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
Continuous rainfall and isolated heavy rain are forecast for the north, central, east and south. Residents in high-risk areas should be wary of hazardous conditions. Waves in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are likely to rise to more than two meters during thunderstorms.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:
Noord: Mostly cloudy with thunderstorms in 60 percent of areas; minimum temperature 24-25 degrees Celsius, maximum 33-35 ° C.
Northeast: Mostly cloudy with thunderstorms in 60 percent of areas; minimum temperature 23-25 °C, maximum 33-34 °C.Central: Cloudy with thunderstorms in 60 percent of areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 23-25 ° C, maximum 32-34 ° C.
East: Cloudy with thunderstorms in 60 percent of areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 23-25 ° C, maximum 31-34 ° C; waves 1-2 meters high and more than XNUMX meters during thunderstorms.
South (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thunderstorms in 60 percent of areas; minimum temperature 23-25 ° C, maximum 31-34 ° C; waves one meter high and 1-2 meters during thunderstorms.
South (West Coast): Mostly cloudy with thunderstorms in 60 percent of areas; minimum temperature 22-25 ° C, maximum 30-33 ° C; waves 1-2 meters high and more than XNUMX meters during thunderstorms.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Mostly cloudy with thunderstorms in 60 percent of areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 24-25 ° C, maximum 32-34 ° C.
Great weather to be at sea with a speedboat. I'd like to trade with the rain showers here being a lot cooler.
Last July just had a few days of rainy season on Koh Samui. In the morning we left for Ang Thong Marine Park and then there was significantly more swell than a few days earlier when I made the trip from Koh Phangang with another part of our group. A few people were already seasick. But that was just a warm-up for the return trip.
After lunch I did not wait for the rest of the group and climbed the stairs to the highest point of the island in one go, without stopping at the various viewpoints. Tough test, but anyway I wanted to come out on top. My knees always give me problems when I cycle more than 10 km or when descending long stairs or steep slopes. A few days earlier I had done the round of the piggy with the kayak, but I didn't dare to risk overloading my knees due to the extremely painful experiences from the past (and often on vacation…).
Anyway, once at the top there was already a big thunderstorm approaching. So quickly down, into the boat and to the last island with that lagoon. There it started to rain and not too sparingly. I left the steep stairs for what it was and waited under the roof. The crew was already busy emptying the boat somewhat with buckets and shifting it, because another boat was approaching and the strong wind prevented mooring.
When everyone was back down, we were allowed back into the boat. And then the adventure began. The short part between the islands was still manageable, but once the wind had free rein and the sea whipped up, it really started to be fun. The tarp over our heads kept us somewhat dry, but the water flowed in around the edges. Everyone had a life jacket on, but staying on the benches was something else. The 750 horses on the back had it pretty tough. The boat regularly came completely out of the water, which was noticeable by the higher speed of the engines and then the impact of the hull on the water. However, the waves from the side were unpredictable. They threw the boat aside so powerfully and at the same time sucked it so hard that people fell off the benches and the boat lay still in the water for moments. 1000 hp wouldn't have helped much either.
As the return journey progressed, the passengers also became increasingly quiet. Several people were quite nauseous. I, on the other hand, have never experienced a roller coaster that comes close to this ride. I would have preferred to turn around for the next trip.
Snorkeling was unsuccessful. During the trip I went 3 times with 3 different boats in varying group compositions, but the first attempt was also the last. I hadn't swum for 6 years, never in open water and I have a fear of heights or depths. So when I got off the boat with my snorkel set on and saw a lot of water around me, it felt uncomfortable. When I also saw the bottom below me and that must have been no more than 3 meters deep, I started to hyperventilate. Someone else went to get me a life jacket, even though I didn't want to, but it was clear to me that I felt more comfortable on a boat than next to it.
Maybe I'll make another attempt, but then start from the beach.
My preparation for the trip was not the usual anyway. I had just been laid off after a miserable period and an accident at work. And I felt trapped (now with Covid measures even worse). I wanted to leave and thought about a week in Portugal or Greece. I had never flown before – yes, when I was little a sightseeing flight above Limburg with such a bluebottle – and I had never booked a holiday for myself either. So then, just for fun, look at a single trip. Immediately sold at the first photo of Thailand.
Well….first time on the road alone, first time outside Europe, first time flying and right away with an Airbus A380-800 from Emirates (because Eva Air went on strike)….with the preparation of following Air Crash Investigation, hahaha!!!! !
I had the flight details in front of me the entire trip. Especially the outside temperature of -53 degrees was already a reassurance should something happen in the air. I wouldn't notice it much. Flying was 100% better than expected; only the landing procedure above Dubai I found a bit exciting. Such a large aircraft, such a sharp turn, so slow…..but yes, that is a distorted image. Since then I can sit on my balcony in the evenings and watch the air traffic in the area. If an aircraft flies over, I follow it via an app, but visually I can see them approach Eindhoven Airport in clear weather, F16s at Kleine Brogel Air Base and see them approach Düsseldorf Airport (70 km from here) from afar.
Okay, that's not what it was about. But I would like to have such a free hot shower in Thailand instead of the rain showers here at 12-14 degrees.