Bangkok in May
Value before the monsoon
- Temperature
- 27–35°C
- Crowds
- Low
- Prices
- $$
+Lower demand and better hotel value.
–Very hot and increasingly wet as the monsoon approaches.
Luxury hotels at shoulder-season rates.
Bangkok vs Phuket in May
Phuket edges it in May. Bangkok averages 27–35°C with low crowds; Phuket 26–33°C with low crowds.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
Bangkok and Phuket
The verdict for May
- WeatherPhuket has the better weather5/10 vs 6/10
- CrowdsBangkok is quieterLow vs Low
- PricesBangkok is cheaper$$ vs $$
- OverallPhuket comes out ahead6/10 vs 7/10
Phuket in May
Monsoon starts, prices drop
- Temperature
- 26–33°C
- Crowds
- Low
- Prices
- $$
+Lower rates and fewer visitors as monsoon season starts.
–Rain and rougher seas become more common.
Lower rates and fewer visitors as monsoon season starts.
Scores and crowd levels are my own judgement; temperatures are monthly averages. Higher scores are better: quieter, cheaper and more pleasant.
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