Phuket · Thailand
May
Monsoon arrives — west coast beaches close and prices drop sharply.
Strong option
#9 of 12 months
There are better months for Phuket — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
32.6°C
Low
25.4°C
Rain
200mm
Sun
6hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How May scores in Phuket
Weather
Average
Value
Excellent
Crowds
Very good
Events
Below average
Atmosphere
Above average
What you gain in May
- ↑Prices drop 40–50% from peak season: beachfront hotels at their most affordable rates of the year
- ↑Phuket Old Town and east coast less affected by the monsoon — good alternative focus
- ↑Crowds essentially vanish: popular beaches nearly deserted, resort pools and restaurants quiet
What you sacrifice
- ↓West coast beaches under red flags from mid-May: swimming prohibited due to dangerous rip currents and 2m+ swells
- ↓Many boat trips suspended: Phi Phi and Similan Islands day trips cancelled or unreliable
- ↓Some beach clubs and water sports operators close entirely for the season
How May compares to November (best month)
| Factor | May | November ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 4 | 8 |
| Value | 8 | 6 |
| Crowds | 7 | 6 |
May in other destinations
Lisbon (20.7°C)Barcelona (20.8°C)Tokyo (23.8°C)Bali (31.2°C)Santorini (19.8°C)Paris (18.1°C)New York (20.4°C)Marrakech (26.4°C)Amsterdam (16.4°C)Maldives (31.5°C)Rome (21.7°C)Bangkok (32.6°C)Istanbul (20.7°C)Vienna (19.7°C)Seoul (21.4°C)Dubrovnik (20.9°C)Rio de Janeiro (26.2°C)Kyoto (25.2°C)Cape Town (18.9°C)Prague (21°C)Amalfi Coast (23°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Phuket, not across destinations. Methodology →