The Rainy Season in Pattaya: What It's Really Like

People worry about visiting Pattaya in the rainy season. Here's what it's actually like.

When does it rain?

The rain usually starts in May, just after Songkran, and May can be one of the worst months. Depending on the year, August and September can be quite bad too.

How bad is it?

It doesn't normally rain for long, usually less than an hour. But when it comes down, it comes down fast and hard.

Some roads do flood, but it soon subsides. Even if it pours in rush hour, it's not that disruptive. Some roads are impassable, but only for a short time. Pattaya doesn't get the kind of serious flooding you sometimes see in other parts of Thailand.

Is it a good time to visit?

It depends why you're coming. For golf, it's still a good time. If it starts raining while you're out on the course, you wait it out and play on. For nightlife, the weather doesn't really matter.

If you want two weeks on the beach, maybe think twice. Even when the rain only lasts an hour, it's often overcast either side, which isn't great beach weather. For more on timing, read the best time to visit Pattaya.

How does it affect my businesses?

It hits Hemingways Lakeside the hardest. The rain often comes late in the afternoon or early evening, just as people are heading out to eat, so it keeps some of them at home. The restaurant is right by Mabprachan Lake, which makes the outdoor area quite exposed: the wind picks up and drives the rain in.

At Cajun Life Cafe, we've had problems with water too. The rain comes down with such force that a standard drainage system finds it very hard to cope. That's not just us: the whole city struggles with that much rain at once.

Car rental is the exception. Pattaya Rent a Car actually gets a bit of a bump in the rainy season, because people swap the motorbike for a car, for obvious reasons.

My tips

Bring an umbrella. Lower your expectations a little, as some things may be slightly disrupted. And don't come for a beach holiday, or if you do, accept that the weather won't be fantastic.

If you'd rather stay dry, Pattaya Rent a Car can help. For more, read golf in Pattaya and scooter or car in Pattaya.