Month guide · Pattaya · Thailand
Pattaya in May
What May is really like in Pattaya: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: WPPilot, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 34°C (93°F), lows of 26°C (79°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 12.7 hours of daylight. Very hot with the first storms; quieter, with better hotel deals.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 34°C (93°F) / 26°C (79°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 12.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 30°C (86°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 2nd-warmest month in Pattaya: days average 34°C (93°F) against a yearly average high of 32°C (90°F), and nights fall to about 26°C (79°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with April (34°C (93°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 33°C (91°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:51
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:34
- Daylight
- About 12.7 hours
- Sea
- 30°C (86°F)
Cool season (November–February). Dry, sunny and less humid, with calm seas and the highest crowds and prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in January). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
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.
Museum · Central Pattaya
Art in Paradise
Go with a friend or family member to take each other's photos, and follow the marked camera spots for the best effect.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
Architecture · Naklua and Wongamat
Sanctuary of Truth
Begun in 1981 and still being carved, this seafront building in Naklua is made entirely of wood and rises over 100 metres, covered inside and out with carvings of Hindu and Buddhist deities and philosophical themes.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Art
- Photo spot
Island · Koh Larn
Koh Larn (Coral Island)
Take the public ferry rather than a speedboat tour, and head to Samae or Tien beach, which are usually quieter than Tawaen.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
Street · South Pattaya and Walking Street
Walking Street
From early evening, this street running south along the bay towards Bali Hai Pier closes to traffic and fills with neon signs, nightclubs, live-music bars, go-go bars and seafood restaurants.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- After dark
- Iconic
- Free
The sea averages 30°C (86°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Pattaya.
What to pack
For highs near 34°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 Pattaya?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, November–February are better overall. Compare every month.
Pattaya in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Pattaya?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Very hot with the first storms; quieter, with better hotel deals.
+How warm is Pattaya in May?
Average highs are around 34°C (93°F) and lows around 26°C (79°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Pattaya in May?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.