The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Chiang Mai. Temperatures rise (33°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Expect rain on 39% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
May ranks 8 out of 12 months in Chiang Mai. Compared to April: −3°C daytime, 23 pts more rainy days, −1.4h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
9 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
very humid
22°
Daylight
12.9h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 45
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Chiang Mai is January (9.3/10), 4.5 pts higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Chiang Mai
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Chiang Mai
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Thailand
🗣️LanguageThai
💶CurrencyThai Baht (฿)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘSafe · 2/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trendData unavailable
🔥Hottest monthApril · 36°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 28°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘAugust · 55%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Chiang Mai ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
ThailandTropical climate with a 9.3 → 4.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
18.79°N · 98.98°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
January is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 17.0°C lows, 8.3h of sunshine and 3.0% rainy days. The months of January & February offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Chiang Mai get in January?
Chiang Mai averages 8.3 sunshine hours per day in January. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.0/10.
What is the rainiest month in Chiang Mai?
April is the most unfavourable month with April has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Chiang Mai in January?
In January, overnight lows reach 17.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Chiang Mai good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Chiang Mai scores 8.9/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains January with a score of 9.0/10.
When should you avoid Chiang Mai?
April is the most difficult month to visit Chiang Mai, with April has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Chiang Mai in May?
The average UV index reaches 9 in May in Chiang Mai (very high), with about 12.9h of daylight. Protection essential.