Things to Do in Thailand in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Thailand
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Lowest accommodation prices of the year - hotels and guesthouses drop rates 30-50% compared to high season (November-March), with luxury resorts in Phuket and Koh Samui offering rooms at ฿2,500-4,000 that cost ฿8,000+ in December
- Mango season peaks in May - markets overflow with Nam Dok Mai, Khieo Sawoei, and Rad varieties at ฿40-80/kg. Street vendors sell fresh mango sticky rice (khao niao mamuang) everywhere, and locals consider May mangoes the sweetest of the year
- Minimal crowds at major temples and attractions - Wat Phra Kaew and Grand Palace see 60% fewer visitors than peak season, meaning 15-20 minute wait times instead of 2+ hours. You'll actually get photos without hundreds of tourists in the background
- Visakha Bucha Day (May 11, 2025) creates spectacular evening temple ceremonies - thousands of locals walk clockwise around temple grounds three times holding flowers, incense, and candles (wien tien). Wat Phra Dhammakaya near Bangkok hosts the most impressive ceremony with 100,000+ participants creating a sea of candlelight
Considerations
- Afternoon thunderstorms disrupt outdoor plans 15-18 days of the month - storms typically hit between 2pm-5pm, last 45-90 minutes, and can flood Bangkok streets within 20 minutes. This makes beach days unpredictable and requires flexible scheduling with indoor backup options
- Oppressive heat and humidity make midday outdoor activities genuinely uncomfortable - the 38°C (100°F) heat index between 11am-3pm causes heat exhaustion quickly. Locals avoid being outside during these hours, and you'll see most shops and markets quiet during midday
- Some island boat services reduce frequency or suspend operations - Similan Islands close entirely for monsoon season (mid-May through October), and boat transfers to smaller islands like Koh Tao run only morning departures when seas are calmer, limiting same-day travel flexibility
Best Activities in May
Bangkok Temple and Market Tours (Early Morning)
May mornings (6am-10am) offer the only comfortable window for temple exploration before heat becomes unbearable. Wat Pho and Wat Arun are nearly empty at 7am, and you'll see monks receiving alms (tak bat) along Khao San Road around 6:30am - a daily ritual tourists rarely witness because they're still sleeping. The low season means you can walk through Chatuchak Weekend Market sections without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, though go before 9am as the corrugated metal roofs turn sections into saunas by 10am. Morning markets like Pak Khlong Talat (flower market) operate 24 hours but are most atmospheric 5am-7am when wholesalers deliver fresh jasmine and marigolds for temple offerings.
Chiang Mai Cooking Classes and Food Experiences
Indoor cooking classes are perfect for May afternoons when rain forces you inside anyway. May brings peak season for Thai eggplants, wing beans, and morning glory vegetables, so you'll work with ingredients at their freshest. Most classes include morning market visits (7am-8am before heat) where instructors teach you to select produce, then 3-4 hours of hands-on cooking in covered outdoor kitchens or air-conditioned spaces. The low tourist season means smaller class sizes (4-8 people instead of 15-20) and more instructor attention. Evening food tours work well because rain typically stops by 6pm and temperatures drop to comfortable 28°C (82°F).
Krabi and Railay Beach Rock Climbing
May is actually ideal for Railay's limestone cliff climbing despite being monsoon season. Morning climbs (6am-11am) happen before afternoon storms, rock stays dry under overhanging routes, and the heat makes you more flexible for challenging moves. Railay sees 70% fewer climbers in May, meaning no queues for popular routes like Ao Nang Tower and Thaiwand Wall. The rain cools everything down, and locals say the post-rain air clarity makes sunset climbs (5pm-7pm after storms pass) spectacular. Deep water soloing at Tonsai Beach works perfectly in May because you want to fall into water anyway when it's 34°C (93°F).
Ayutthaya Historical Park Cycling Routes
Cycling through Ayutthaya's temple ruins works surprisingly well in May if you start at dawn (6am-6:30am). You'll have Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Si Sanphet nearly to yourself, and the early light creates dramatic shadows on the ancient prangs (towers). Rent bikes (฿50-100/day) and cover 15-20 km (9-12 miles) of the historical park before 10am heat arrives. The afternoon storms actually enhance photography - dark monsoon clouds behind illuminated ruins create moody shots impossible in dry season's harsh sunlight. Many cyclists do morning temple circuits, break for lunch and massage during midday heat, then explore evening markets once rain passes.
Koh Samui and Gulf Coast Island Activities
While Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) gets heavy May rain, Gulf of Thailand islands like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao experience transitional weather - some rain but also sunny stretches. May is shoulder season here with 40% lower accommodation costs and empty beaches. Snorkeling and diving visibility stays good (15-20 m / 50-65 ft) at sites like Sail Rock and Chumphon Pinnacle. The rain keeps temperatures bearable for beach activities, and you'll have places like Chaweng Beach's northern end nearly private. Book beachfront bungalows for ฿800-1,500 that cost ฿3,000+ in January.
Northern Thailand Night Markets and Evening Cultural Activities
May evenings (6pm-11pm) become the social hub of Thai life as everyone emerges after afternoon storms. Chiang Mai's Ploen Ruedee Night Market and Kad Manee Market come alive with locals eating khao soi and sai oua (northern sausage) at ฿40-80 per dish. The rain-cooled air makes evening temple visits comfortable - Wat Phra That Doi Suthep at sunset (6:30pm-7pm in May) offers clear mountain views after storms wash away haze. Night bazaars in Chiang Rai and Pai operate under covered areas, so rain doesn't interrupt shopping. Street massage stalls (฿200-300/hour) fill with locals and tourists seeking post-rain relaxation.
May Events & Festivals
Visakha Bucha Day (Vesak)
May 11, 2025 - The most important Buddhist holiday commemorating Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death. Temples across Thailand host wien tien ceremonies at sunset where devotees walk clockwise around temple buildings three times holding lotus flowers, incense, and candles. Wat Phra Dhammakaya near Bangkok creates the most visually stunning ceremony with 100,000+ participants in white clothing forming geometric patterns of candlelight visible from aerial views. Alcohol sales are prohibited nationwide for 24 hours. Visit any major temple around 6pm-8pm to participate - locals welcome respectful tourists joining the candlelit processions.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Raek Na Khwan)
Early May (exact date announced by Royal Astrologers 1-2 weeks prior, typically first or second week of May) - Ancient Brahman ceremony at Sanam Luang in Bangkok marking the official start of rice planting season. Sacred oxen are offered seven types of food and drink, and their choices predict the coming year's harvest and economic fortune. Thousands gather to collect 'blessed' rice seeds scattered during the ceremony, believing they bring good luck when mixed with regular planting seeds. The ceremony involves elaborate costumes, traditional music, and takes 2-3 hours. Arrive by 8am for viewing spots as crowds gather quickly despite the heat.
Mango Festival Season
Throughout May - While not a single organized event, May is peak mango season celebrated informally across Thailand. Markets dedicate entire sections to 20+ mango varieties. Bangkok's Or Tor Kor Market and Chiang Mai's Somphet Market host weekend mango showcases where farmers display prize specimens and offer tastings. Street vendors everywhere sell mango sticky rice for ฿50-80, mango smoothies for ฿40-60, and fresh mangoes by the kilo. Locals consider May mangoes superior to any other month because trees produce their sweetest fruit before monsoon rains dilute sugars. Visit any morning market to experience the abundance.