Although May is one of the low-season months in Thailand, it’s still a good month to visit. The fact that it is quieter means you can take advantage of discounted room rates and internal flights, and experience less crowded tourist attractions.
May weather in Thailand
There are regional variations, but visitors can expect hot and humid weather for most parts of the country during the first half of the month. As the month progresses, there is more rainfall as Thailand transitions from the hot season to the rainy season. This has the benefit of introducing cooler and fresher conditions.
There can indeed be periods in May when there is heavy rainfall, but it tends to come in relatively short downpours and you can still enjoy plenty of sunny days during a May holiday in Thailand. When the showers do arrive, they bring relief from the heat and you might even look forward to witnessing the rain for an hour or two.
Where to visit in May
During May, Thailand experiences a mix of rain, and hot and sunny weather. Destinations like Bangkok and Chiang Mai provide plenty to do when it gets too hot or the rains arrive making them both worth considering if you’re planning to visit Thailand in May.
If you’re planning a beach holiday, the Gulf Coast may be a better choice as it experiences more sunshine and less rainfall than the Andaman Coast. Destinations like Ko Samui, Chumphon, Khanom, and Hua Hin are great options for a beach getaway in May.
On the Andaman Coast, the south-west monsoon can cause gusty winds and tropical downpours, especially towards the end of the month. While it doesn’t rain persistently, you may experience unsettled conditions at sea, leading to some boat services being temporarily suspended from May to October.
On the East Coast, Pattaya and Ko Samet have lower levels of rainfall while Trat province (including Ko Chang) experiences higher levels. When visiting Ko Chang or any of the islands in the Ko Chang archipelago, you may experience heavy downpours mixed with fine weather.
As a general rule for visiting Thailand in May, keep an eye out for warning flags on beaches where riptides can be dangerous. Look out too for warning signs about jellyfish that sometimes drift closer to shore during summer storms. The Thai authorities actively monitor beach conditions and post warning notices where necessary.
Events and festivals in May
May is an important month for festivals in Thailand. Several significant events usually take place, although their exact dates vary depending on the lunar calendar.
Visakha Bucha Day is a Buddhist holiday that often falls in May. It’s the most important event in the Buddhist calendar and commemorates three defining events in the life of the Buddha. These events occurred on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month (the Visakha month). Visakha Bucha Day marks the day the Buddha was born, reached enlightenment 35 years later, and died and entered Nirvana 45 years after that. Visakha Bucha Day is a public holiday in Thailand, and alcohol sales are restricted out of respect for the occasion.
(Photo: SIHASAKPRACHUM / Shutterstock.com)
In the north-east of Thailand — the heart of the rice-growing region — the arrival of the rainy season and the importance of the rice crop are celebrated with Rocket Festivals. These lively festivals take place in several locations in Isaan, and they’re intended to encourage the rains and ensure a good crop.
In Bangkok, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony is another traditional and colourful event that predicts what lies ahead for the rice harvest. There’s no fixed date for this ceremony, and the day is chosen based on an assessment by royal astrologers of the most auspicious date, usually in May.
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