Thailand in May

November through March is peak season for good reason – temperatures hover around 25-30°C and rain stays away. But here's the trade-off: everyone else knows this too. Flights cost double and beaches get crowded. April hits you like opening an oven door. It's Songkran (water festival) season, which means getting soaked by strangers on every street corner. Fun if you're into it, exhausting if you're not. May through October brings monsoon season, but it's not the apocalypse travel forums make it seem. Rain usually comes in afternoon bursts, then clears up. Shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) offer the best deals. Hotels drop prices by 40% and you'll have beaches mostly to yourself. Just pack a rain jacket and flexible plans. Chiang Mai's cool season (November-February) actually gets chilly at night – bring a light jacket. The burning season (March-April) creates hazy skies that ruin mountain views. Bangkok stays hot year-round, but December-January mornings feel almost pleasant.