Asia - Best time to go to Koh Samui???

Am planning a trip to Koh Samui next year (between 4/06-11/06). Not sure when the monsoon season is, but since it's the tropics I expect some rain. Just not non-stop rain.
Have researched this and have differing opinions from various sources. :confused:
Would appreciated any help on this.
Thanks. ^

East coast == dry in the summer. Hottest time of year is around April. The rainy season starts in October or so and lasts until the end of the year. As you say, it's the tropics, so the seasonal variations aren't all that great.

I was there in late September and the weather was perfect and the crowds relatively light. We stayed at the Renaissance and practically had the resort to ourselves. It was hot, but nothing like Bangkok...

The only time it rained was about 30 seconds before our plane took off to SIN.

I know the weather recently has been really bad on Samui. Every day there's another story on TV about flooding, torrential rains and people even having gone missing while attempting water-sports.

I went in early April (2005) and the weather was perfect. It was very, very hot, and the ocean water a bit on the warm side. The manager at the hotel told me the good and bad times to visit but I wan't that interested to remember.

I did not have or see any problems but I've been hearing, and reading, a lot about problems on Samui re: assaults on tourists. It sounds as though the lawlessness is spinning out of control. I have read in another forum of a first-hand report of a U.S. citizen being shot, and wounded, by the leader of the local mafia (link). I'd still go, but be very careful. I have heard the taxi drivers are willing to run over tourists if they complain about extortionate fares.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=53770

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=53893

Here are some recent letters to the editor from the Bangkok Post:

No one to defend Samui's reputation

Recent weeks have seen many letters in the English-language press pointing out the glaring troubles Koh Samui is facing. As a long-time resident and tourism business owner I, like many others, stand to lose if these letters have an effect on tourist arrivals. As the letter from "Name Withheld" (Postbag, Dec 21) came one day after an incident with an irresponsible taxi driver who turned violent when I dared to blare my horn at him, I feel compelled to write.

Name Withheld's letter was arguably the most dramatic and ardent plea yet. I was tempted upon finishing NW's letter to consider that had Phuket been the victim of a string of so many intensely critical observations, articulate voices from that island's movers and shakers would have come forward and pointed out the unfairness of the sweeping generalisations. I wondered, where are the voices of Samui's civic and business leaders? Is there no one to come forward and defend the island's reputation?

I suspect that, like myself, they all realise that things have gotten so out of hand, bad publicity may be the only hope for the changes so desperately needed.

ANOTHER NAME WITHHELD
Koh Samui

Horrible people live on Samui

While touring through the North of your beautiful country I noted repeated negative stories and letters relating to Koh Samui, which almost caused me to avoid the island. But I did not, and instead, took the opportunity to evaluate conditions for myself.

There, for the first time, I encountered an almost overwhelming number of mean people. This was especially surprising, and barely unbelievable, after meeting so many wonderful Thais in other places; but I guarantee your readers that that is exactly what happened, and in spades.

Reports of murderous driving are vastly understated, but the high probability of death or injury by motorbike was overshadowed by the continuous hassle with street people. Most particularly, the threatening Thai men-cum-cab drivers of that ilk, who push the boundaries of civilised people.

Residents told me they live in fear of the mafia and the police who resemble them (or maybe vice versa). And yes, like so many others, I was attacked for no apparent reason, and then discovered that a police report is a joke (to them); and my hospital bills far exceeded the fine given to the Thai man who attacked me from behind.

The unprovoked attack, which would have been assault with a deadly weapon and/or attempted murder in any civilised place, is all too common on Samui and hardly remarkable. The attacker was friendly with the police and totally unconcerned. He laughed as he paid a small fine and then threatened me again as he walked out the door. The policeman giggled.

My embassy is unaware of any pattern developing, but perhaps the walls and barbed-wire surrounding them obstructed their view. Nevertheless, in a short time I heard many strong-arm and intimidation stories from other tourists, and from local residents powerless in the face of massive police corruption.

It is surprising to discover that a tourist's life is worth less than 1,000 baht on Koh Samui; but the experience was reminiscent of that last year when a policeman killed two Western tourists; except I was not drinking and did not know my attacker; and it happened in broad daylight and in full view of more than 100 Thai people.

Significantly, not one Thai person responded to cries for help, or telephoned the police when asked to do so. In fact, they locked their doors and turned their backs.

Discussing this matter with several high-level island officials, all whom insisted they not be quoted fearing for their own lives, I was encouraged in the strongest possible terms to urge tourists with similar experiences to write to newspapers and travel magazines and shout these outrages loud and often. I promise to do so.

My life is worth more than a few baht but my resources will be used to warn every English-language publication possible about the animals running loose on Samui. I loved my visit to Thailand (excluding Samui), but unfortunately most westerners will probably not make that fine distinction after reading my account of it.

NAME WITHHELD