May in Bangkok averages highs of 34 °C (93 °F) and lows of 27 °C (80 °F), with about 16 rainy days and 12 h 45 min of daylight.
May weather in Bangkok at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is May a good time to visit Bangkok?
Tough month: very hot and wet. May is usually low season in Bangkok: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in May 2026
We found no major holidays or events for May in Bangkok. Our holiday source does not cover Thailand, so check official listings before you go.
Things to do in Bangkok in May
With frequent rain in May, here are the indoor picks first, then the outdoor ones for drier spells.
- Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew — dress code applies indoors
- Wat Pho — reclining Buddha indoors
- Wat Arun — best from the river at sunset outdoors
- Chao Phraya boats outdoors
- Chatuchak weekend market — go early outdoors
- Chinatown (Yaowarat) at night — street food outdoors
Where to stay: Riverside or Old Town (Rattanakosin) for temples; Sukhumvit for food and the BTS; Silom for nightlife.
What to pack for Bangkok in May
- Light, breathable clothes, a hat and a water bottle: highs reach 34 °C (93 °F), so plan indoor time around midday.
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 16 days this month see real rain.
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for mosques and temples.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Bangkok costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €25–65 | €80–200 |
Excluding flights. May is usually low season in Bangkok: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
May in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 30° / 25° | 27 | Tough month |
| Bali | 29° / 24° | 15 | Tough month |
| Kyoto | 24° / 13° | 10 | Good time to go |
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FAQ
Is May a good time to visit Bangkok?
By the numbers, May is a tough month: very hot and wet, with average highs of 34 °C (93 °F) and about 16 rainy days. May is usually low season in Bangkok: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper. The best months for weather are January, December.
How warm is Bangkok in May?
Average highs are 34 °C (93 °F) and lows 27 °C (80 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Bangkok in May?
Expect about 16 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 158 mm in total. It is the 6th wettest month of the year in Bangkok.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights. In the tropics, reanalysis data tends to count more light-rain days than local weather stations do; rain there often comes as short afternoon downpours.