Asia
Thailand in May
The Andaman monsoon arrives: rough seas and storms on the Phuket side. The Gulf islands stay largely sunny. Prices drop nicely.
The straight answer
May is a month of real tradeoffs in Thailand. The Andaman monsoon arrives: rough seas and storms on the Phuket side. The Gulf islands stay largely sunny. Prices drop nicely.
- Weather
- Hot with building rain, highs near 93F (34C)
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 2 of 5
What May is like in Thailand
May brings the monsoon to the Andaman coast. Phuket and Krabi get rough seas and storms, some boat trips cancel, and the Similan Islands park closes for the season from about mid-May. The Gulf islands, Samui, Phangan, and Tao, stay largely sunny. Highs near 93F (34C) meet rising humidity, and prices drop nicely.
This month suits budget travelers and anyone happy to base themselves on the Gulf coast. Families who want calm swimming should pick Samui over Phuket. If you want both coasts and the north at their best, come back between November and February.
Make the most of May
What is especially good about Thailand this month.
Gulf islands in good form
Samui, Phangan, and Tao stay mostly sunny while the west coast gets its rain.
Low season prices
Resort rates fall, so a better room or villa is within reach.
Green season begins
The first rains turn rice fields and hills a bright green.
What to pack for May
- A light rain jacket
- Quick-dry clothes
- Mosquito repellent
- Sandals that can get wet
Our timing tip
Plan your beach time on the Gulf side and treat Andaman boat trips as weather dependent.
Book Thailand for May.
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- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in ThailandOpens a hotel search for Thailand in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in ThailandWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in ThailandTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Thailand for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in Thailand
Bangkok's Grand Palace and Wat Pho
The gold-spired heart of Thai royalty and the giant Reclining Buddha next door. Go at opening, dress with covered shoulders and knees, and ignore anyone outside saying it is closed.
Bangkok street food crawl
Chinatown (Yaowarat) after dark is the classic run. Follow the lines of locals; the busiest stall is the menu.
Chiang Mai's old city and temples
Moat-ringed lanes, hundreds of temples, and the mountain shrine of Doi Suthep above town. Best November through January; skip burning season in late winter.
Railay and Krabi's limestone coast
Karst cliffs straight out of a painting, reachable only by longtail boat. Calm seas and full boat schedules run roughly November through April.
Koh Phi Phi and Maya Bay
The famous bay operates with visitor limits and seasonal closures to let the ecosystem recover. Check current rules and book the earliest boat.
Gulf islands: Samui, Phangan, Tao
Resorts on Samui, full-moon energy on Phangan, and some of the world's cheapest dive certification on Koh Tao. At their best when the Andaman side is stormy.
Beat the crowds
- Go in November or February: you get the cool-season weather of the December-January peak with a real step down in crowds and prices.
- Pick one second-tier island (Koh Lanta, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Kood) over the marquee names; the beach is the same postcard with half the longtail traffic.
- In Bangkok, see the Grand Palace at opening or after 3pm, and ride the river boats and BTS instead of sitting in taxi traffic.
- Book Christmas to New Year and Songkran-week transport like concert tickets, months out. The rest of high season needs only days to weeks of lead time.
Know before you go
- Andaman-coast monsoon (roughly May through October): some island ferry routes stop, boat trips cancel in rough seas, and the Similan Islands national park closes entirely, typically mid May to mid October.
- Maya Bay and several marine parks now enforce visitor caps and seasonal closures for ecological recovery; rules change year to year, so check before promising anyone the famous beach.
- Songkran (mid April) closes many offices and small businesses for days while the whole country travels; tourist attractions stay open and very wet.
- During the Gulf coast's wettest stretch (roughly October into December), Koh Tao dive trips and Samui beach days get rain-checked; the Andaman side is simultaneously reopening.
Thailand in May, quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Thailand?
May is a month of real tradeoffs in Thailand. The Andaman monsoon arrives: rough seas and storms on the Phuket side. The Gulf islands stay largely sunny. Prices drop nicely.
What is the weather like in Thailand in May?
Hot with building rain, highs near 93F (34C).
Is Thailand crowded in May?
May is one of the quieter months in Thailand; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning Thailand.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in May
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