Visakha Bucha
Full moon in May or June
Thailand's most important Buddhist day. Temples hold candlelit processions in the evening and alcohol sales stop. Wear white or modest, light colours with covered shoulders and knees.
Highs35°C (95°F)
Lows27°C (81°F)
Rainy days~12
Daylight12.5 h
CrowdsModerate
May averages for Bangkok. Source
May is hot and the rains begin, especially on the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) where seas get rough. Prices drop. Quick-dry clothes and a rain jacket.
☀️ By day
Light clothes, plus a compact umbrella as the rains start.
🌙 Evening
A quick-dry outfit for sudden evening downpours.
What's on in May
Typical dates. Many festivals follow lunar calendars, so check this year's dates before you book.
Rocket Festival (Bun Bang Fai)
Mid-May, especially in Yasothon
Homemade rockets launched to call the rains. It gets muddy, so wear old clothes and sandals you can wash.
May packing essentials
Your May outfit list
- Loose linen dressLight cotton kurti setShop Amazon ↗
- Quick-dry shorts / skirtCotton palazzo pantsShop Amazon ↗
- Breathable tank topsShop Amazon ↗
- Temple cover-up trousersShop Amazon ↗
- Waterproof sandalsShop Amazon ↗
- Wide-brim sun hatShop Amazon ↗
- Linen shirtsShop Amazon ↗
- Quick-dry shortsShop Amazon ↗
- Lightweight trousersShop Amazon ↗
- Breathable teesShop Amazon ↗
- Waterproof sandalsShop Amazon ↗
Also pack
Showing more covered picks for travellers from India.
Dress code
- Temples and the Grand Palace: shoulders and knees covered, no see-through tops, ripped jeans or (at the Grand Palace) tight leggings.
- Shoes come off before entering temples and many homes and shops — slip-on sandals are best.
- Swimwear is for the beach and pool only; cover up in town.