The Grand Palace, beside Sanam Luang, site of the Royal Ploughing Ceremony Photo above: Eric Ho via Google
May is the start of Bangkok's rainy season: it is still very hot, with an average high of 35.1°C (95°F), and rainfall jumps to about 217 mm (8.5 in) on around 12 days, based on the 1991 to 2020 climate normals. The best things to do in Bangkok in May are temple visits on Visakha Bucha Day (Thursday, May 20, 2027), the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang, and indoor sights such as museums, cooking classes and spas for the wettest afternoons. May is outside the peak season, so hotels are generally easier to book.
What is the weather like in Bangkok in May?
Bangkok in May is hot, humid and increasingly wet. The 1991 to 2020 climate normals give an average high of 35.1°C (95°F), an average low of 26.9°C (80°F), and 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain on about 12 days, more than double April's total. Carry an umbrella, plan flexible afternoons, and expect heavy showers rather than all-day rain on many days.
| May in Bangkok | Average |
|---|---|
| High | 35.1°C (95°F) |
| Low | 26.9°C (80°F) |
| Rainfall | 217 mm (8.5 in) |
| Rainy days | About 12 |
For more detail, see Bangkok weather by month and when the rainy season is in Bangkok.
What holidays and festivals are in Bangkok in May?
May 2027 has three bank holidays in Bangkok, according to the Bank of Thailand: the substitute for National Labor Day on Monday, May 3; Coronation Day on Tuesday, May 4; and Visakha Bucha Day on Thursday, May 20. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony also takes place in May, but its 2027 date had not been announced when we checked on September 26, 2026.
| Event | 2027 date | Source |
|---|---|---|
| National Labor Day (substitute holiday) | Monday, May 3 | Bank of Thailand |
| Coronation Day | Tuesday, May 4 | Bank of Thailand |
| Visakha Bucha Day | Thursday, May 20 | Bank of Thailand |
| Royal Ploughing Ceremony | Not yet announced | Held at Sanam Luang on May 10 in 2024 (TAT) |
Visakha Bucha Day
Visakha Bucha is one of the most important days in the Buddhist calendar, and many Thais go to temples to make merit. If you visit temples that day, dress respectfully, with shoulders and knees covered, and expect more worshippers than usual. See what to wear in Bangkok.
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient royal rite that marks the start of the rice-growing season. In 2024, TAT reported that Their Majesties the King and Queen presided over the ceremony on May 10 at Sanam Luang, the royal field beside the Grand Palace, starting at 8 a.m. Check TAT or local news in late April for the 2027 date, and expect road closures around Sanam Luang on the day.
What can you do in Bangkok in May when it rains?
May's showers make it a good month for Bangkok's indoor side. Keep outdoor sightseeing for the morning, and have an indoor plan for the afternoon.
- Museums: Museum Siam, the Bangkok National Museum and the Jim Thompson House.
- Cooking classes: learn Thai dishes at Silom Thai Cooking School, which you can also book on Klook as a Silom Thai Cooking School class.
- Spas: an afternoon at Let's Relax Onsen and Spa, Ratchadamri.
- Malls and food halls: see Bangkok's biggest malls.
More ideas are in our guide to indoor things to do in Bangkok.
Is May a good time to visit Bangkok?
May is a good time to visit Bangkok if you prefer fewer visitors and do not mind heat and afternoon rain. It falls outside the November to February peak season, and the rain rarely stops a day of sightseeing if you plan around it. If you want dry weather, choose the cool season; see the best time to visit Bangkok, or read on to things to do in Bangkok in June.
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Sources: WMO Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Bangkok Metropolis (Thai Meteorological Department data, NOAA NCEI archive), Bank of Thailand, financial institutions holidays 2027, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2024, Tourism Authority of Thailand, May 2026 festivals and events. Checked September 26, 2026.
Yes, May is the start of the rainy season. It averages 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain on about 12 days, based on the 1991 to 2020 climate normals, up from 93 mm in April.
Very hot. The average high is 35.1°C (95°F) and the average low 26.9°C (80°F), based on the 1991 to 2020 climate normals.
Thursday, May 20, 2027, according to the Bank of Thailand's 2027 holiday list.
The Bank of Thailand lists a substitute National Labor Day holiday on Monday, May 3, Coronation Day on Tuesday, May 4, and Visakha Bucha Day on Thursday, May 20, 2027.
The date had not been announced as of September 26, 2026. The ceremony is held in May at Sanam Luang; in 2024 it took place on May 10.
May is outside the November to February peak season, so hotels are generally easier to book. Compare prices for your dates.
