My husband and I are looking to travel to Thailand for three weeks in August, however we know it's monsoon season and we're wondering if perhaps our destination should be elsewhere. What are your thoughts? Also, I've been reading the lonely planet book but there is so much we want to see/do (definitely Bangkok, and we love hiking and the mountains, and want to experience the beaches too) I'm having difficulty putting together an itinerary. If you recommend we still go in August, could you please give your itinerary suggestions?

Welcome to ST.
3 weeks makes for a good introductory trip for Thailand.
We have had very informative previous threads on Thailand. Very easy to look up.
But August is problematic.
It is either too hot or raining (or both). Or you get the typhoon, which is cooling though.
If you like the sun and the beaches, it is best to go in the dry months (November to March).

One last advice:
The tropics in general - and Thailand in particular - have their own slow and slowing ways that are impossible to fight. Don't be ambitious about sightseeing, however tempting that may be. Join the flow. Sit on the floor and linger over your meal. Get a nice traditional massage from a temple. Take a boat that goes nowhere. Take a long train. and buy food from food vendors who rush up to your window at every stop.
I'd suggest, for 3 weeks in the dry months:
- at least 5 days in Bkk. maybe 3 days on arrival and 3 days before departure
- then the rest of the trip divided half-half between north-south (Mae Hong Son or Laotian border for north? Krabi for south?).
- o and take trains, flat-bed trucks, elephants, anything but those so-called VIP coaches full of young backpackers who still think it is glamorous to smoke in the 21st century.
Bon voyage.

The Thai weather term is "rainy season". In the classic sense the prevailing winds shift from north to from south which creates conditions for rains. You can expect the following type of weather during the rainy season.
No rain for a week at a time
Night rain and clear days
Torrential rains that last 30 minutes to 2 hours, then clearing and sun
Overcast days with little to no rain
Two to three days of partial day rain in a week is, especially later in the rainy season (Sept-Oct)
Thailand has three weather seasons:
Mild: Nov - Feb
Hot: Mar - May
Rainy: Jun - Oct
Mild is a relative term. I think I would describe it as less hot.
Beware that you can expect floods in low lying areas during the rainy season. For example last October (2006) Ayuthaya was flooded and some areas inaccessible for weeks.
Check out weather data here.
As you see August is not the wettest month.

Hi Tucker13.
Bangkok is an amazing place and you should definatly visit it at some point. I stayed in a lovely place called Rat Burana, it was great!!
Id advise anyone to stop there!

One word of advise, never get on a motorcycle taxi in Bangkok! Or a motorcycle in general.

I can't help you with August weather, I'm afraid. Be prepared for hot and sticky or hot and damp. It won't matter. As long as you have an air con hotel and a shower at the end of the day you can put up with the heat!

There are two Travel Reports on Thailand on Slow Trav. Mine is at the end of this post under the signature and the other is Kenalag's wonderful report:

http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=1276

You might find even more ideas for your three weeks to make them even more fascinating.

For me "Hellfire Pass" (particularly relevant for an Australian) and the walk amongst the tigers at the Tiger Temple (both near Kanchanaburi) were beyond special. The cooking lesson was great fun, and the Floating Market and the...................well, you get the general idea!

We loved our two weeks in Thailand!