01Weather
Bangkok weather in May
Afternoons in May average 35.8 °C (96 °F) and nights cool to 27.5 °C (82 °F). The month brings about 362 mm (14.3 in) of rain spread over roughly 22 days. Compared with April it is 0.3 °C cooler; June is 1.1 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 38 °C / 101 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 33 °C / 92 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 25 °C / 77 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 29.9 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 73 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 41.0 °C / 23.4 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 05:56 | 18:33 | 12.6 h |
| 15 May | 05:51 | 18:37 | 12.8 h |
| 31 May | 05:49 | 18:42 | 12.9 h |
Daylight grows by about 18 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Bangkok).
03Crowds
How busy Bangkok is in May
moderate The main sights are moderate in May. What drives it:
- rainy season begins
- Visakha Bucha
- Coronation Day on 4 May
05Events
What's on in Bangkok in May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Ploughing Ceremony | May, Sanam Luang | tradition |
| Visakha Bucha | May full moon | religious |
07Packing
What to pack for Bangkok in May
- light, breathable clothing
- sun hat and sunscreen
- refillable water bottle
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
- something for heat: 30 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May brings the first monsoon rains, usually as short, violent late-afternoon storms that clear by evening, on about twelve days. Heat remains intense, around 34 °C. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang in early May marks the start of the rice-planting season, and Visakha Bucha at the full moon brings candle processions and an alcohol ban. Labour Day on 1 May and Coronation Day on 4 May are public holidays.
Hotel prices drop noticeably as high season ends. The Chao Phraya rises and the canal boats run on reduced schedules in storms. The first durian of the season appears in the markets. Thai schools return in mid-May. For the cheapest months of the year with green parks and dramatic skies, see June.
09Compare
Bangkok month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33 °C | 24 °C | – | – | very busy | Mixed |
| February | 34 °C | 25 °C | – | – | very busy | Mixed |
| March | 35 °C | 27 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| April | 36 °C | 28 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| May | 36 °C | 28 °C | 22 | – | moderate | Mixed |
| June | 35 °C | 27 °C | 21 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| July | 34 °C | 26 °C | 22 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| August | 34 °C | 26 °C | 23 | – | moderate | Mixed |
| September | 33 °C | 26 °C | 24 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| October | 33 °C | 26 °C | 22 | – | moderate | Mixed |
| November | 33 °C | 25 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| December | 33 °C | 24 °C | – | – | very busy | Mixed |
Not sure about May? See the best time to visit Bangkok.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore in May | 32 °C | 12 |
| Shanghai in May | 26 °C | 10 |
| Beijing in May | 29 °C | 6 |
| Seoul in May | 24 °C | – |
| Kyoto in May | 25 °C | 8 |
| Tokyo in May | 24 °C | 9 |
11FAQ
Bangkok in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Bangkok?
May is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Bangkok. Daytime highs average 36 °C (96 °F), rain falls on about 22 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Bangkok in May?
Expect hot days around 36 °C (96 °F) and nights near 28 °C (82 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 38 °C, and one in ten stays below 33 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Bangkok in May?
May brings about 362 mm (14.3 in) of rain over roughly 22 days, which is wet by Bangkok standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 73 percent.
What should I wear in Bangkok in May?
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun hat and sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
Is Bangkok crowded in May?
The main sights are moderate in May. Main drivers: rainy season begins; Visakha Bucha; Coronation Day on 4 May.
What time does it get dark in Bangkok in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 18:37 and rises at 05:51, giving 12.8 hours of daylight.