Thailand Weather in May

May is still a very hot month in Thailand, but temperatures drop slightly throughout the country and most regions experience a notable rise in rainfall due to the monsoon coming to Thailand. In other word, the climate in Thailand in May marks the beginning of the rainy season.

There is a high chance of rain on the west coast beaches. Hua Hin and the east coast beaches are the best choice with little rain expected. In many regions of Thailand, the rainy season will last until the end of October.

When it's not raining, the sun is shining and it can get very hot. The air temperature is high, about 30-32°C and even at night the air temperature does not drop below 23-25°C. As May is the first month of the rainy season, it doesn't rain as often as in the following months. It can happen every day, but no more than for 1-2 hours so it will not interfere with a beach vacation. Moreover, the water temperature is quite suitable for swimming and water sports enthusiasts. Despite the fact that May belongs to the low season, visiting Thailand during this time can be a good solution as it not crowded so you can fully enjoy the traditional local hospitality and tranquil seclusion.

Summary of Thailand weather in May

Average temperature: 32°C

Average daytime temperature: 36°C

Average temperature at night: 27°C

Number of sunny hours: 7

Precipitation in mm: 660 mm

Number of rainy days in the month: 31

Water temperature: 30°C

Details about the weather in May

Bangkok and Central Thailand

Bangkok and Central Thailand are experiencing a slight drop in temperature to about 33-34°C with the onset of the monsoon. If you visit the capital at this time, you should expect frequent rain, which brings some cooling. Short-term local floods can occur, as rain showers are relatively short but very heavy. With acceptable climate, May is a good (but not the best) month to go to Bangkok and Central Thailand.

Eastern Thailand

In the eastern provinces and islands, such as Koh Chang, precipitation will essentially double, compared to April. As a result, tourism is less common on the island. However, do not expect it to rain every day and all day. Rather, it will be a short shower. Temperatures average around 28°C, but the peak is 35°C and more. Koh Samet and Pattaya are a slightly better choice than Koh Chang in terms of precipitation.

Northern Thailand

The most northern provinces are least prone to monsoons during the month start. It starts raining more in Northern Thailand around mid-May. And the probability of rain is about the frequency of two days. The average temperature is around 28°C but it can rise up to 33-34°C. Apart from slightly lower temperatures, this period finally brings with it a purification of the air from smog. Many waterfalls will start to have more water again.

Northeast Thailand - Isan

In the northeast, temperatures drop by few degrees to about 33-35°C but it can still rise to 40°C, especially in Udon Thani province in May, and rainfall will double here compared to previous months. Also in the northeast, a few hours of rain can be expected about every other day.

Southern Thailand - East Coast

Unlike the rest of the country, in the southeast of Thailand, there is a very slight increase in temperature by about 1-2°C to an average of about 33°C. The frequency of rainfall will increase double compared to April, so there’s a big chance that you will experience some showers during your vacations. The northern part of the southeast coast has a little less rainfall than Koh Samui and the surrounding area. So the weather will be better in Hua Hin than in Koh Samui. Even so, don't expect any long-lasting or all-day rain. With bad weather conditions this month, it is not recommended to visit this area.

Southern Thailand - West Coast

In the southwest of Thailand, destinations like Phuket and Krabi, an increase in rain and a slightly lower temperatures are noticeable in May. The temperatures remain very warm with an average of 29-32°C. Fortunately, the tropical rain does not last long, usually lasting an hour or two and the sun then shows up again. There is always the opportunity to spend several hours a day outside. Of course, an unexpected downpour can interrupt your day sometimes, but don’t get upset about this. In Phuket, this month is incredibly popular with water sports enthusiasts, especially kiters and windsurfers.

Tips for planning a vacation in Thailand in May

In May, Thailand will delight budget tourists, because at the start of the rainy season there is a chance to catch good weather and significantly save on flight tickets and accommodation. At this time hotels offer favorable prices, especially if you book the best rooms in advance.

We don’t recommend enjoying the beach for families with kids at this time, because swimming in the sea is accompanied by strong winds and waves, although the water temperature is 28-30°C.

Fairs and Festivals in May

Considering that the weather in May is quite unpleasant with combination of high temperatures and a lot of rain, it makes sense to visit this country only because many festivals and holidays take place here. On May 5, Coronation Day is celebrated with cultural events over several days. The parade is organized in Bangkok, fireworks are launched.

Visakha Bucha Day, the holiest Buddhist holiday, takes place at the end of the month. On this day, the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha are celebrated across the country.

In Yasothon Province in Isan region, you can visit the Rocket Festival (Bun Bang Fai), where the people launch rockets of their own production into the sky to symbolically seed the clouds and bring on the rainy season.

Among other things, the weather conditions in May are favorable for fruit ripening. In the east, the Rayong Fruit Festival is held every year in May and celebrates Thai fruits. The Lychee Festival in Chiang Rai is also celebrated in the north and is accompanied by fairs, concerts and competitions.

The Full Moon Party, is a tourist festival which takes place on the beach of Haad Rin on Koh Phangan every month of the year, on the day of the full moon.