Things to Do in Ayutthaya in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Ayutthaya
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs drop 20-30% compared to December-February peak season, and you'll actually have space to photograph the ruins without crowds blocking your shots at Wat Mahathat and Wat Chaiwatthanaram
- Early monsoon rains create dramatically photogenic skies - those late afternoon thunderstorms produce incredible golden light around 5:30-6pm when the clouds break, perfect for the riverside temples
- Mango season peaks in May, meaning the local markets overflow with nam dok mai and ok rong varieties at ฿40-60 per kilogram, plus you'll find seasonal mango sticky rice that's noticeably better than what tourists get in high season
- The heat keeps tour groups indoors during midday, so if you adjust to local rhythms and visit temples early (6-9am) or late (4-6pm), you'll often have places like Wat Phra Si Sanphet nearly to yourself
Considerations
- The heat is genuinely intense - 34°C (93°F) doesn't sound extreme until you're cycling between ruins with 70% humidity and minimal shade, and most tourists underestimate how draining this becomes after 10am
- About 10 rainy days means roughly one-third of your trip might involve afternoon downpours lasting 30-90 minutes, which disrupts temple visits since many structures lack covered areas and paths turn muddy
- Some guesthouses and restaurants in the Hua Ro area close for renovations during this quieter period, so your dining options shrink slightly compared to peak months - always check current status before assuming a place is open
Best Activities in May
Early Morning Temple Cycling Routes
May weather actually works perfectly if you start at sunrise (around 5:45am). The temperature sits at a manageable 26-28°C (79-82°F) until 9am, and the morning light on the brick prangs is spectacular. The UNESCO Historical Park loop covers roughly 15 km (9.3 miles) of mostly flat terrain. You'll have Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Phra Ram essentially empty before 8am, which never happens in high season. The heat builds quickly after 9:30am, so this timing isn't optional - it's essential.
Chao Phraya River Sunset Cruises
The May weather pattern creates this interesting window between 5-7pm when afternoon storms typically clear and you get dramatic cloud formations at sunset. River cruises departing around 5pm let you see the riverside temples - Wat Phanan Choeng, Wat Chaiwatthanaram - from the water during that golden hour light. The breeze on the river drops the perceived temperature by several degrees, which feels amazing after a hot day. This is actually better than dry season when sunsets can be hazy from agricultural burning upcountry.
Traditional Thai Cooking Classes
May is mango season, which means cooking classes feature seasonal ingredients you won't get other times of year - green mango salad, mango sticky rice with perfectly ripe fruit, and dishes using young tamarind that's just coming in. Classes typically run 9am-1pm or 3-7pm, strategically avoiding the worst midday heat. You're working in covered outdoor kitchens with fans, and the market visits happen early when it's cooler. The smaller class sizes during low season mean more individual attention from instructors.
Ayutthaya Floating Market Visits
The floating market operates year-round but May brings seasonal fruits and snacks you won't find in tourist season - fresh longans starting to appear, rose apples at peak sweetness, and vendors selling chilled seasonal desserts that locals actually eat. Go early (7-9am) before the heat builds and before day-trippers arrive from Bangkok. The market sits about 5 km (3.1 miles) south of the historical park. It's touristy, yes, but May crowds are thin enough that you can actually navigate the walkways and boat vendors aren't aggressively competing for attention.
Bang Pa-In Summer Palace Visits
Located 20 km (12.4 miles) south of Ayutthaya, this former royal summer retreat makes perfect sense in May's heat - the extensive gardens have mature trees providing actual shade, and the palace buildings offer air-conditioned respite. The grounds cover about 140 acres with a mix of Thai, Chinese, and European architecture. May's afternoon rains keep the gardens lush and green, unlike the dusty dry season. The Chinese-style Wehat Chamrun Palace sits on a lake with nice breezes. Plan for 2-3 hours here, ideally arriving around 9-10am before peak heat.
Evening Food Market Tours
Ayutthaya's evening markets along Chee Kun Road and near the train station come alive after 5pm when temperatures finally drop to tolerable levels. May brings seasonal specialties - vendors grilling river prawns, selling sliced green mango with chili sugar, offering chilled desserts like tako (coconut pudding) that locals eat to beat the heat. The markets run until 10pm or later. This is where actual Ayutthaya residents eat, not tourist restaurants. The energy picks up after dark when everyone emerges from air-conditioning.
May Events & Festivals
Visakha Bucha Day
This major Buddhist holiday typically falls in mid-May (exact date varies with the lunar calendar - in 2026 it's likely around May 12-13). It commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. Temples throughout Ayutthaya hold evening ceremonies where locals walk clockwise around the main chapel three times holding candles, incense, and lotus flowers. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon and Wat Phra Si Sanphet host particularly moving ceremonies. Alcohol sales are prohibited nationwide on this day, and it's a public holiday so expect some businesses closed.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
While the main ceremony happens in Bangkok (typically early May), Ayutthaya province holds its own version marking the traditional start of rice planting season. It's more authentic and less touristy than the Bangkok event. Brahmin priests conduct ancient rituals predicting the year's harvest. The exact date varies annually based on astrological calculations. Worth experiencing if you're interested in seeing agricultural traditions that predate Buddhism in Thailand.