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You think you’re prepared.
You check the forecast, see a few clouds, pack a cute umbrella and maybe a backup poncho.
But nothing — nothing — truly preps you for your first Phuket rainy season.
Let’s be honest: the phrase “wet season in Thailand” sounds kind of romantic when you’re still in a Pinterest phase.
But when your flip-flops float down the street and your scooter refuses to start under a sheet of rain, the romance wears off fast.
I moved to Phuket from the US with three small kids, a laundry basket full of hope, and not one clue how torrential monsoons in Phuket actually work.
Here’s what no brochure tells you.
The Rain Doesn’t Tap, It Roars
I thought rainy season in Phuket meant drizzle.
A daily 30-minute shower.
A gentle tropical mood.
Nope.
The rainy season in Thailand comes down like someone’s emptying buckets from the sky.
The kind of rain that cancels your plans and laughs while doing it.
Thunder?
It doesn’t rumble. It cracks — like a bowling ball dropped on your roof at 3am.
Lightning flashes?
You’ll spot them over the Andaman Sea from Nai Harn Lake to Chalong Pier.
And then it’s wet.
Everything is wet.
Clothes don’t dry. Walls sweat.
Your hair? You can forget about it.
Flip-Flops: Flood Casualties
My first scooter ride through Patong during a downpour was basically water-skiing.
The footpath had turned into a river.
I lost one flip-flop in a puddle and had to fish it out with a plastic spoon.
RIP, Havaianas.
Tip for surviving Phuket’s wet season:
- Buy good sandals — Crocs, Tevas, or anything grippy
- Keep a backup pair in your bag
- Spray everything with anti-mould the second it dries
- Give up on suede. This isn’t suede country
The Scooter Struggle Is Real
If you’ve never tried riding a scooter in a Thai monsoon, picture this:
You’re balancing groceries, two kids, a school bag, and a soggy poncho that’s flapping like a dying bird.
Water hits your face like mini stingers.
Your tyres slide over invisible potholes.
You are both the hero and the villain of this movie.
Eventually, you just stop pretending you’re dry.
Here’s how I stay (mostly) sane:
- Always keep a real poncho in the scooter seat — not the 20 baht plastic wrap from 7-Eleven
- Wear proper sandals, no flip-flops while driving
- Go slow, especially near Phuket Old Town where the streets flood first
- Check the Thai Meteorological Department website before you leave the house
- Or better yet: don’t leave the house
Kid Chaos + Rain = Character Building
The rainy season really tests your parenting game.
One, two, and three are not waterproof.
They’re mud-attracting, rain-chasing, puddle-loving chaos magnets.
The school run becomes a full-on sport.
We’ve done school drop-off in what felt like a tsunami.
Rain jackets fly off.
Lunch bags float.
Someone always forgets shoes.
What saved me:
- Always keep spare clothes (and socks) in your bag
- Get the kids proper ponchos — look in Decathlon or local markets
- Plan indoor activities: Central Festival, soft play centres, Dino Park Mini Golf if you’re desperate
- Build a towel mountain near the front door
You will shout.
You will laugh later.
You will wonder if laundry ever ends.
Spoiler: it doesn’t.
Dehumidifiers Are Life
In the middle of all this wet, comes a very sneaky villain: mould.
By week two of rainy season, we noticed:
- Clothes smelling funky
- Bedsheets never quite dry
- Shoes sprouting fuzz
Enter: the dehumidifier.
Seriously — if you move to Phuket, buy one before you even get a toaster.
Also:
- Store things in airtight bins
- Chuck in silica packets like you’re seasoning a stir fry
- Keep cupboards open whenever you can
- Rotate what’s in the wardrobes — nothing should sit for weeks
We also now worship the sun whenever it shows up.
Dry days mean open windows, rushed laundry, and at least one barefoot dance on the porch.
Relearning Time: Island-Style
Rainy season messes with your rhythm.
School events shift.
Playdates cancel.
Beaches are empty — but stunning in a moody, misty kind of way.
Our routine started to revolve around the rain:
- Morning sun? Do everything fast.
- Noon clouds? Stay near home.
- Afternoon thunder? Just cancel.
You start living by the weather app and learning the names of local storms.
One year it was Tropical Storm Noru, the next it was Pabuk or some name that sounded sweet but wasn’t.
But over time… you adjust.
Rain teaches patience.
Rainy season teaches surrender.
Finding Joy in the Grey
I stopped trying to dodge the rain.
One week in, I gave up drying my hair.
Two weeks in, I started walking barefoot on purpose.
Three weeks in, I danced with the kids in the front yard.
We’ve had some of our best days in monsoon weather.
Stormy afternoons turned into puzzle sessions, card games, baking chaos, and more cuddles than I’d had in months.
Sure, the roof leaked.
Sure, the laundry never ends.
Sure, the power cut out and I may have cried in the pantry.
But there’s a strange peace in it all.
Phuket Rainy Season Survival Kit
If you’re wondering what actually got us through our first Phuket rainy season, here’s the honest list:
Things We Needed:
- Proper rain ponchos for adults + kids
- Dehumidifier (best money spent in Thailand, honestly)
- Ziplock bags for school bags
- Quick-dry clothes
- Towel stash near every door
- Laundry delivery service (a real sanity-saver)
Mindset Shifts We Needed:
- Let go of dry perfection
- Start earlier, cancel often
- Laugh at the mess
- Embrace indoor fun
- Find joy in slowness
By the second month of figuring out how I survived my first Phuket rainy season, I stopped asking the rain to leave — and started inviting it in.
The stress shifted.
We weren’t fighting the weather anymore.
We were building a life around it.
When the Rain Doesn’t Stop
There were weeks where it didn’t just rain every day — it rained all day.
Our road turned into a moat.
The Nai Harn playpark? Closed.
Even Central Festival Phuket felt too far.
Three kids.
One house.
No sun.
You want to know what that does to a mum?
You either lose your mind or make a mud pie with it.
We did both.
Here’s what helped me not fully spiral:
- Leaning into slow mornings
- Letting screen time go up when the thunder did
- Keeping one room dry and cosy — a soft corner for reading, cushions, books, snacks
- Having dance parties to drown out the rain
No one tells you how loud the rain can get on a Thai tin roof.
It’s basically a natural sound bath, just slightly less relaxing.
School’s Still On. Somehow.
International schools in Phuket don’t stop just because your soi is underwater.
The car might be floating, but school is still in session.
And if you’ve ever tried to get kids to school in Bang Tao or Chalong during a flash flood, you know — this is real parent stamina.
What saved us:
- Using Grab rides when scooter life felt too risky
- Waking up earlier to check Thai Meteorological Department updates
- Storing backup uniforms in the car
- Bringing full outfit changes in waterproof bags — including underwear
And yes — I once showed up at Kajonkiet International School wearing actual rain boots over my pyjama pants.
It was either that or cry into a soaked PE kit.
Wet Season Food = Comfort Cravings
Something happens to your appetite when monsoon season in Phuket kicks in.
It’s like your body wants all the carbs and none of the salads.
I started craving:
- Hot noodle soup from the tiny shop behind Wat Chalong
- Roti from Phuket Old Town — banana and egg, drenched in condensed milk
- Anything deep-fried
But the real winner?
Homemade coconut milk porridge with mango, cinnamon, and all the toppings.
(1 calls it “Thai snow day breakfast.”)
We also became regulars at delivery-friendly cafes.
If it wasn’t on GrabFood or Food Panda, it wasn’t happening.
Rainy Season Traps: What I Didn’t Expect
Some stuff catches you off guard your first rainy season in Thailand — the stuff no guidebook mentions.
Like:
- Mould on your walls, even if you clean weekly
- Ants nesting in your kettle (because it’s dry in there)
- Sudden power cuts right before bedtime
- Laundry that never dries, ever
Or how your entire fridge starts sweating like it’s in a Bikram class.
Tips I wish I knew earlier:
- Leave baking soda in the fridge to soak up the damp
- Put your router on a backup battery if you work from home
- Keep one old-school flashlight in every room
- Spray vinegar in the corners every few days to keep mould down
Also: line-drying is dead to me.
Give me sun or give me Mr Jeff laundry pickup.
Beach Walks Are Still Magic
Even with the constant downpours, the beaches are still wild and stunning.
Nai Yang looks like something from Jurassic Park in the rain.
The mist clings to the hills behind Surin Beach.
And Bang Tao turns into a giant mirror when the tide pulls back.
The trick is catching the clear windows — those magical 90-minute gaps where the sky opens and the island breathes again.
We’d pack:
- Rainproof bag
- Spare clothes for the kids
- Thermos of hot chocolate
- And zero expectations
Even just 30 minutes of sea air made the tantrums fade.
And sometimes, the beach would be totally empty.
No crowds.
No chaos.
Just us, the rain, and a very soggy crab.
Rainy Season Rules for New Expats
If you’re newly landed and this is your first rodeo in the Phuket wet season — here’s what I’d tell you, sister to sister:
1. Let Go of the Schedule
Rain doesn’t care about your to-do list.
Flexibility isn’t a luxury here — it’s survival.
2. Prep the Gear
- Decent ponchos
- Dry bags for everything
- Sandals that can swim
- Umbrella, yes — but poncho first
3. Fix the Mood, Not the Weather
Rainy days can feel heavy.
Don’t try to outrun that.
Turn them into:
- Movie nights
- Indoor obstacle courses
- Baking experiments
- Drawing with washable markers on the walls (it washes off, promise)
4. Don’t Wait to Buy a Dehumidifier
Every second you wait, your wardrobe gets smellier.
FAQ: What People Want to Know About Phuket Rain
When is rainy season in Phuket?
Usually from May to October, peaking around August to September.
Is Phuket worth visiting during rainy season?
Absolutely — it’s quieter, cooler, and more lush. Just pack smart and prepare to get wet.
Is it safe to ride a scooter during rainy season?
Yes — but go slow, wear proper shoes, and don’t push it if roads are flooding.
Do the beaches close during rainy season?
No, but the Andaman Sea can be rough. Look for red flags and avoid swimming on high-wind days.
What should I pack for the rainy season in Phuket?
- Waterproof sandals
- Ponchos
- Quick-dry clothes
- Dry bags
- Dehumidifier (or plan to buy one locally)
Does everything shut down during rainy season in Phuket?
Nope! Life goes on — school, work, markets, and more. Just with more puddles.
Is it always raining during the rainy season in Phuket?
No — some days are clear, others only rain in bursts. Expect unpredictability.
Do people still go to the beach during rainy season?
Yes! Beaches are emptier, cooler, and moody-beautiful. Just watch for red flags and rough surf.
Can you still travel around Thailand during the wet season?
Absolutely. It’s greener, quieter, and way less touristy. Just plan ahead.
What’s the best rainy season activity with kids in Phuket?
Soft play areas, Blue Tree indoor zones, Central Phuket mall, cooking at home, or watching a storm roll in with popcorn.
Does the rain affect internet and electricity in Phuket?
Sometimes, yes. Especially in older homes. Keep backups and patience.
How long does the Phuket rainy season last?
Roughly May to October — but peak sogginess hits around August.
Conclusion: How the Rain Shifted Me
It’s not just about the weather.
It’s about how the rain reshapes your days, your home, your routine.
With kids, it feels extra.
Everything’s wetter, louder, and more chaotic.
But there’s connection in the chaos.
There’s stillness in the storm.
There’s something wildly wonderful about how Phuket rainy season forces you to slow down and sink in.
So yes — I was soaked, slipped, and slightly mouldy, but I survived my first Phuket rainy season, and honestly? I’d do it again, flip-flops and all.
