Hi everyone!

I am thinking to travel to Thailand for approximately 2 months in June, July and first part of August. I know that a lot of these countries have their rain season during this period. It is not so much the weather that concerns me, but more the backpacker-scene during this time of year. As I've travelled to Australia, New Zealand and Bali before I am used to meeting a lot of like minded backpackers and having an extremely social trip. I am worried that a trip to Thailand in June-August will in this respect be a dissapointment as the majority of backpackers will travel in a different time of year and not during the months June-August. Could someone tell me how the backpacker-scene is overthere during these months, are there a lot of backpackers? Is it considerably less that from January to March? When would u guys recommend me to travel? How is the party-scene in this period (I am used to and like the backpacker-parties)?
Is the weather really that bad during the rain season?

Thanks so much in advance!

Jake

Even though more tourists show up in Thailand during the high season, primarily the end of October through to the end of February, tourists do show up by the millions in the off season! Figure on at least one half million tourists a month during the off season will show up. Many of these tourists are repeat visitors who prefer the off season because hotels are cheaper.

Some of this off season time you will have more heat or more rain or even a little of both. But when it is hot you drink more fluids and seek out shade or stop in a mall or bar to cool off. When it is rainy often the rain stops falling in an hour or two and the sun comes out. Most of the time even during the rainy season you will find enough sunshine to keep you happy.
Rainy Season in Thailand

If you really think you will be disappointed being in Thailand during the low season, come during the high season and pay more for hotels and contend with more tourists getting in your way. Thailand gets more tourists during the off season than Indonesia and Australia get for a full year! (Depending on what link you Google up Thailand received between 14 million and 17 million tourists last year.)

For a visit of 2 months you must have a tourist visa, assuming you are from a country where you can get a tourist visa that long. How long you can visit Thailand depends on the country passport you use to enter the country. Some tourists enter on a free 30 day Visa Exemption and before the free 30 days runs out visit another country. Upon return to Thailand you can get another free 30 days if you FLY in but if you enter overland only 15 days. Assuming you qualify for the free 30 days. A tourist visa may be cheaper than visiting a second country and you do not have to worry about proof of onward travel within 30 days.
Visa Requirements for Thailand - 65th IFLA Council and General Conference

In Thailand many hostels have prices about the same as private guest houses or smaller hotels. Unless you like sharing showers and toilets with strangers maybe consider a small hotel. Once you leave Bangkok you do not have many hostels available but a lot of small cheap hotels and guest houses.

Your choice.

Maybe we'll meet up as i'll be backpacking Thailand, also in July and August