Month guide · Phuket · Thailand
Phuket in May
What May is really like in Phuket: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
May is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 33°C (91°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 18 rainy days and roughly 12.5 hours of daylight. The south-west monsoon begins; showers are frequent and the west-coast surf picks up, but hotel prices drop sharply.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 33°C (91°F) / 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days
- About 18
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 30°C (86°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 4th-warmest month in Phuket: days average 33°C (91°F) against a yearly average high of 32°C (90°F), and nights fall to about 25°C (77°F). Rain falls on roughly 18 of its 31 days. Compared with April (34°C (93°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 32°C (90°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 06:08
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:37
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Sea
- 30°C (86°F)
Cool dry season (November–February). Sunshine, lower humidity and calm, clear seas — peak season for beaches, diving and boat trips, with peak prices from mid-December.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Phuket, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Street · Patong
Bangla Road
Agree drink prices before ordering in smaller bars and ignore touts offering 'shows'.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- After dark
- Free
- Iconic
Neighbourhood · Phuket Town
Old Phuket Town
Phuket's tin-mining wealth built the Sino-Portuguese shophouses and mansions along Thalang, Dibuk, Krabi and Phang Nga roads, now restored as cafés, galleries and shops.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Shopping
Religious site · Chalong
Wat Chalong
Climb to the upper floors of the chedi for views over the temple grounds.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Viewpoint · Kata and Karon
Karon Viewpoint
On the coast road between Kata Noi and Nai Harn, this roadside viewpoint looks north over the three curved bays of Kata Noi, Kata and Karon in one sweep.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
The sea averages 30°C (86°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Phuket.
What to pack
For highs near 33°C, lows near 25°C and 18 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 Phuket?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, December–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Phuket in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Phuket?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The south-west monsoon begins; showers are frequent and the west-coast surf picks up, but hotel prices drop sharply.
+How warm is Phuket in May?
Average highs are around 33°C (91°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Phuket in May?
Expect rain on about 18 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.