10 Things to Do in Bangkok in May

Bangkok is hot all year round and May is no exception. While in the northern hemisphere there is a placid spring, in the capital of Thailand the heat will be your companion when you visit in this fantastic month. In Bangkok there are many things to see and do during May, a month where you can combine spirituality with entertainment and the best food.

Throughout this month, the city will be adorned by different celebrations such as the one marking the beginning of the rice harvest or the king's coronation day, but you will also have modern music festivals and party cruises. Do you dare to visit one of the most visited cities in the world during the month of May?

One of the most important manifestations of faith in the Buddhist religion is Vesak Day. Throughout Southeast Asia it is celebrated on the night of the full moon of the sixth lunar month, although the date may vary from country to country due to differing interpretations of the calendar. In Thailand it is always in early to mid-May and if you want to see how these people live their spirituality, it is something not to be missed.

Vesak Day, also known as Visakha Bucha Day, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. This is the day to respectfully approach the best temples in Bangkok, where you will see monks and worshippers gathered in prayer and commemoration of the Buddha's life.

For tourists, one of the best parts of this sublime day is the food. All Buddhist gastronomy is totally vegetarian and there you will be able to taste magnificent combinations such as rice with mango or noodles full of spices, in a beautiful atmosphere of decoration where the temples will be filled with flowers and all kinds of demonstrations of faith. This can even be part of a food tour of the city. Are you going to miss the opportunity to participate in this day?

Just as it sounds, it seems a bit too pompous, but it's not. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is primarily an agricultural celebration and marks the beginning of the rice season. The date is defined by religious people, but it is usually in mid-May.

On this occasion, the King of Thailand from Bangkok leads the Phra Ratcha Phithi Phuetcha Mongkhon ceremony. This celebration has Hindu origins that were later converted to Buddhism. That is why the beginning of this day starts with a Buddhist rite from the Grand Palace and with the participation of the king, and then continues in the Sanam Luang of Bangkok, one of the most important squares, with the traditional Hindu elements.

There is no way you will not know about this celebration if you are in Bangkok around this time. But this is a very important event all over Southeast Asia and Cambodia also has similar festivities, equally led by its king; but it is also carried out in republics like Sri Lanka or India itself. The rite is the same: two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plow and start plowing, while people sow rice. Don't you find it interesting?

A party on a cruise ship. But it's not just any party: the XXO Party Cruise is the most important LGTBI party in all of Southeast Asia and it takes place on a cruise that travels through several countries, leaving from Bangkok. It's all the craziness that takes all the spotlight of the big parties in May.

First you will take a bus to the port, from where you will depart to Sihanoukville, Cambodia. There you will spend a day and then depart to Koh Samui, again in Thailand. There you will party for a day and finally return to the port of Leam Chabang and from there, by bus to Bangkok.

If you like partying and LGBTI events, it would be a shame to miss out on this globally recognized cruise. To go to this event, you have to book your room on the cruise, because the package already includes transportation, all three meals of the day and non-alcoholic beverages. Even if you are traveling alone, the team will arrange for you to meet other people of your age and gender.

Details of interest

• Location: depart from Bangkok by bus to Leam Chabang port, where you will have a two-day cruise to Cambodia and then to the Koh Samui islands in Thailand, finally returning to Bangkok.
• Price: the cheapest room package, shared with four people, costs about 500 €. The most expensive, with balcony, are more than 750 €.

The Chakri dynasty has ruled Thailand since the 18th century and even survived British colonial rule. That is one of the reasons why it is so deeply rooted in Thai idiosyncrasy and that even though governments and dictators may pass, the king continues. May 4 is Coronation Day, commemorating the coronation of King Rama X in 2019.

Rama X succeeded the reign of his long-lived father, Rama IX, who exceeded 70 years. Rama X's coronation was one of the most pompous events in the country's entire history, being fulfilled with sacred rites of Buddhism, where he was purified, anointed and later crowned with a seven-kilogram crown encrusted with diamonds and other precious metals.

Every year this is a public holiday in Thailand, so you'll find banks and public institutions closed. That's not to say there's nothing to do. The Royal Household organizes activities to commemorate the monarch that you can attend, pictures of the king are displayed on the street and there are even years where other days are declared as public holidays, in order to create a bridge to allow people in Bangkok to do more sightseeing.

Beach, sun and sand! Bangkok is at sea level and has a fantastic river, but the beach is a bit further away. However, Pattaya is about an hour and a half from the city and is one of Thailand's best beach destinations, making it a favorite vacation spot for Bangkokians.

And if you thought it was going to be all Buddhist temples and traditional food, then head to Pattaya in May for a beachside music festival: the Warp Festival.

This is mainly an electronic music festival where numerous DJs from all over the world will participate, but most of them are from Southeast Asia, so you can meet new talents in an unparalleled atmosphere. Moreover, it is worth staying in Pattaya for at least two days, because the festival lasts a whole weekend with a different line-up for each day.

I invite you to enjoy the beach environment in Pattaya and go at least one day at night to this vibrant electronic music festival. Keep in mind that you will spend many hours on your feet, so it is best to bring comfortable shoes, plenty of water and lots of good energy. Don't miss out.

Details of interest

• Price: tickets can cost around 20 € per day.
• Schedule: both days, concerts usually start around 5 p.m.

Thailand is not South Korea, but k-pop is already a universal genre. At the beginning of May at BITEC Bangkok takes place the May Jam Festival, one of the biggest events that concentrates k-pop fans in Thailand. If you are a fan of this music genre and you are in Bangkok around this time, it is worth dedicating a night to this event.

The festival lasts one night and has featured amazing solo artists such as EXO's Baekhyun, as well as GOT7's Yugyeom. There are also many local participants and emerging bands that will bring Korean pop in style. Keep in mind that tickets sell out quickly, so it wouldn't hurt to buy them in advance, even before you arrive in Bangkok.

The site where this festival is held is a venue where more than 5 thousand people can enter, so keep in mind that it will be a concert that will be quite crowded. You are sure to have a great time watching big K-pop stars and their fans. Many of them are mesmerized by this music, will you be one of them?

Interesting details

• Location: Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre: BITEC. 88 Debaratna Rd, Bang Na Tai, Bang Na, Bangkok 10260, Thailand
• Price: about 150 € for the most expensive seats, while the cheapest seats are around 80 €.

Watching the sunset is one of the most beautiful things any couple can do. The Chao Phraya River is really impressive, because hundreds of canals flow out of it and bathe the whole city of Bangkok. Its flow is quite strong and because of that, it is very navigable, with large cruise ships, many of them touristic. You can be on one of them to relax and enjoy and soothe the inclement heat of Bangkok in May.

One of the most common tours with cruise on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok is to get on at sunset for a romantic or even family dinner. From the cruise you will be able to see the Grand Palace, the seat of the Thai monarchy, as well as the Wat Arun temple, adjacent to the palace. Both are illuminated at night and you can go out on deck to get some air, which at that time will be much cooler and nothing compared to the sun on a May day.

There are different types of dining. Some cruises have buffet meals, so you can serve yourself whatever you like, however you like. But there are also other cruises that have a chef and where you can taste his most exclusive creations. Deciding this is not an easy task, but the offer among Bangkok cruises is quite wide.

Thai culture is very strong throughout the country, but that doesn't mean that Thailand is not an ethnically diverse country. That's why one of the must-do things to do when you go to Bangkok is to take a stroll through Chinatown, where you can buy all kinds of artifacts, eat at street stalls and have a multicultural experience.

Among the best things to do in Chinatown is to walk along the course of Yaowarat Street. Many compare the shape of this street to that of China's signature dragon. May is not the most touristy month of the year, but the amazing thing is that Chinatown will be equally crowded with locals offering all kinds of services to tourists; so you will feel fully in tune.

When you are there, my advice is to take a tour and eat a lot at the different stalls lining the street, to taste the best of Chinese cuisine in Thailand. Many of these stalls will allow you to take shelter from the sun and the rain that is also usual in May. This tour will be picturesque, attractive and, above all, culturally enriching.

Yes, it is undoubtedly very hot in Bangkok in May. So cooling off in an air-conditioned place where you sit under the sea is not bad at all. The SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World is the largest aquarium in the whole country and it is really huge, because it has more than 10 thousand square meters with all kinds of marine fauna.

Among the marine fauna, the one that stands out the most is undoubtedly the Shark Aquarium, because you can walk on top of it. For many, this is scary, but it is really very safe. You will also have the chance to get up close and personal with the different fish that live in the seas of Southeast Asia, but there are additions from different oceans of the world, with much emphasis on coral, sea turtles and penguins.

If you are looking for the best things to do with kids in Bangkok, don't hesitate to take them to Ocean World and, particularly, make them walk through the tunnel underwater. There you will be surrounded by the aquarium at all times and you will be able to take the best pictures with the best quality. Don't miss this magnificent experience for young and old.

Interesting details

• Price: around 40 € for adults, while the entrance fee for children is around 25 €.
• Duration: between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Last entrance at 7 p.m.
• Location: 991 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

For fresh air, shelter from the inclement May sun and a little rest, you don't have to go too far. Lumphini Park is in the middle of the city and receives more than 10 thousand visitors every day, making it an oasis between skyscrapers, heat and street stalls. Its 57.6 hectares will allow you to connect with nature, enjoy the trees and relax.

Originally this park was a private property of the king that was later ceded to the State for its use and enjoyment. Over time, this space was converted into a park for events and ended up nestled in a financial district full of Bangkok's best skyscrapers, which has made it a space of high status. If you go in May, you can have fun in its artificial lake by renting a small boat and thus, breathe a little of so much hustle and bustle.

Details of interest

• Price: admission is free

• Hours of operation: 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Location: Address: 192 Witthayu Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Fortunately, May is not high season, but if you are going to the city for the first time, it will be difficult to distinguish between high and low season, because Bangkok is, according to some rankings, the most visited city by tourists worldwide. If you add to this its population of 15 million inhabitants, you will have a city that will always be full; although in May, just a little less.

What you can take advantage of being in Bangkok during this month are the prices. As it is low season, staying in hotels will be a little cheaper and you will be able to find more availability. In addition, you can always take advantage of the exchange rate between euros and baht, which is a relatively weak currency that you can take advantage of during your stay.

Very hot, although it is true that Bangkok is very hot all year round. It is estimated that in May, the average minimum temperatures range between 25°C and 29°C, while the maximum temperatures range between 31°C and 37°C, although the average is more pleasant.

Always keep in mind that you will be above 30°C in a tropical city, with a river and high humidity, so in your luggage you should bring sunscreen, comfortable shoes and clothes that cover your body but are loose and allow the air to circulate.