Month guide · Koh Phangan · Thailand
Koh Phangan in May
What May is really like in Koh Phangan: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: joestump https://www.flickr.com/photos/joestump/, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
May is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 33°C (91°F), lows of 26°C (79°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 12.6 hours of daylight. Very hot and humid with occasional showers; quieter and cheaper as the high season ends.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 33°C (91°F) / 26°C (79°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 12.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 30°C (86°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 2nd-warmest month in Koh Phangan: days average 33°C (91°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 26°C (79°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with April (33°C (91°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 32°C (90°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:59
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:33
- Daylight
- About 12.6 hours
- Sea
- 30°C (86°F)
Dry season (January–April). Sunny, dry and calm, with the best snorkelling and boat trips; April is very hot and lively with Songkran.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in February). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
- Visakha Bucha — Buddhist holiday (usually May or June)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Nature · East coast
Than Sadet waterfall and beach
Combine it with Thong Nai Pan, and come after rain when the pools are fuller; in the dry months the falls slow to a trickle.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- History
- Outdoors
Nature · Central highlands
Phaeng Waterfall and Domsila viewpoint
Inside Than Sadet–Ko Pha-ngan National Park, a short trail leads to Phaeng Waterfall, then climbs through the forest for about 30 minutes to the Domsila viewpoint, a rocky outcrop with views over the west coast and towards Koh Samui.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
Nature · Central highlands
Khao Ra hike
Hire a local guide from the villages at the foot of the trail, start early, and allow most of a morning; the path is steep and slippery after rain.
- Time needed
- 3–5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Nature
- Views
- Outdoors
Island · Chaloklum
Koh Ma and Mae Haad
At low tide, a sandbar links the beach at Mae Haad on the north-west coast to the small island of Koh Ma.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
- Photo spot
The sea averages 30°C (86°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Koh Phangan.
What to pack
For highs near 33°C, lows near 26°C and 13 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Koh Phangan?
A good-value shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, February–April and July–August are better overall. Compare every month.
Koh Phangan in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Koh Phangan?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Very hot and humid with occasional showers; quieter and cheaper as the high season ends.
+How warm is Koh Phangan in May?
Average highs are around 33°C (91°F) and lows around 26°C (79°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Koh Phangan in May?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.