Thailand weather & when to go: May
May overview
May sees a welcome drop in temperature throughout the country, although highs of 33-34°C are not unusual, and most (but not all) regions experience a notable rise in rainfall, albeit low and sporadic initially.
May's weather in detail
Khao Sok National Park is warm and wet in May, with high levels of humidity. The islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood are particularly wet during May and there is a high chance of rain on the west coast beaches of Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi. For guaranteed sunshine, Hua Hin & Cha Am and the east coast beaches of Koh Samui, Khanom and Koh Pha Ngan are the pick of the bunch, with little, if any, rain expected.
Despite the possibility of rain, May is a great month to visit Thailand as plenty of sunshine is still expected and the visitor numbers are far lower than in previous months.
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Where's the sun and sand?
Hua Hin, Pranburi, Cha Am, Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, Khanom
Our recommended journeys
Thailand’s far north is unquestionably the country’s most unspoilt region and our Insider's Thailand holiday will take you away from the well-worn trail and deep into this scenically stunning and culturally diverse area.
See all our itineraries in Thailand
Key Festivals & Religious Ceremonies
Coronation Day
Marking the crowning of King Bhumibol Adulyadej as King Rama IX on 5th May 1950.
Boon Bang Fai
A.K.A The Rocket Festival! Expect lots of dancing, singing and rockets being fired into the sky! The rockets are prompts for the rainy season to begin.