Chiang Mai in May: a seasonal travel plan

Weather at a glance

Daytime high

32.3 °C

Nighttime low

21.8 °C

Monthly precipitation

179.5 mm

Days with at least 1 mm

20.4

Daylight

13.0 h

2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.

Early, middle and late month

What this month is like

Chiang Mai, Thailand. In may, the average daytime high is 32.3 °C and the night-time low is 21.8 °C. Start long walks in the morning and keep the hottest hours for shade, museums or a relaxed lunch.

There are 20.4 wet days on average, with about 179.5 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.

How to plan the day

Start long walks in the morning and keep the hottest hours for shade, museums or a relaxed lunch.

Average daylight is 13.0 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.

What to pack

Pack light breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and water. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.

Precipitation and an alternative plan

Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.

What to pack

Pack light loose clothing, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.

Compared with neighbouring months

Average daytime high: previous month — 34.4 °C, May — 32.3 °C, next month — 30.2 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 10.6, 20.4 and 20.6.

Things to do

Chiang Mai grew inside a square moat: the temples of the old town stand behind a brick wall, with Nimman and the Ping riverbank outside. The city is small but the distances add up, so red songthaews and a rented bicycle do the work of taxis.

Wat Doi Suthep

The temple of Doi Suthep sits on the mountain above the city, reached by a long naga staircase or a red songthaew from the gate at Tha Phae. The whole city lies below, so come in the morning when the air is clearer.

The old town and the Sunday market

Inside the moat stand Wat Chedi Luang with its ruined stupa and Wat Phra Singh with its Buddha image. On Sundays Ratchadamnoen Road closes to traffic for a walking market of crafts and food.

A cooking class

A cooking class starts at a market, where the herbs and spices are explained, and ends with a meal of your own dishes. Book ahead and choose a morning group while the kitchen stays cool.

Where to stay

The old town

The old town suits anyone who wants to live among temples and small cafés inside the moat. Nights are quiet and the markets and gates are walkable, though rooms are limited and fill quickly.

Nimman

Nimman draws people for modern cafés, bookshops and the university nearby. The old town is ten minutes by songthaew, and the district is livelier in the evening and feels more like a city than a village.

The Ping riverbank

The Ping riverbank suits those who want a river view and quiet evenings. Warorot market and the old town are a short walk away, but temples and bars mean crossing to the other bank.

Getting to and around Chiang Mai

From Chiang Mai airport the old town is about fifteen minutes by taxi or songthaew. Public transport is thin: red songthaews run along the main roads picking up passengers, and a bicycle is handy for short trips. Agree the route and fare with the driver before setting off.

Three days in Chiang Mai

The old town

In the morning walk round Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh, then rest in a café inside the moat. In the evening go to the night bazaar on Chang Klan Road.

Doi Suthep and Nimman

Climb to Doi Suthep in the morning and stop at the waterfall on the way down. After lunch drop into Nimman, where the cafés and bookshops stay open late.

The river and the markets

Spend the morning at Warorot market among spices and cloth, then cross the river and have lunch on the far bank. Return to the old town in the evening.

Weather throughout the year

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Frequently asked questions