Travel Guide to Thailand in May 2025: Where to Go During the Summer

Even though the weather is scorching, it cannot be denied that Thailand during the late summer month of May has its own captivating charm. Whether it's the blue sky, the sound of waves crashing on the shore, or the light mist from the rain that gently falls in some areas, it becomes the golden time for travelers wanting to escape the chaos and recharge their lives.

In this article, we invite you to travel to 8 must-visit travel destinations in Thailand in May 2025 suitable for every lifestyle. Whether you love the beach, mountains, waterfalls, or vibrant cities rich in culture, each selected place will surely make your summer memorable.

If you are looking for an exciting and fun-filled tour experience, Crocodile Farm and Samut Prakan Zoo is a destination not to be missed! This is the largest crocodile farm in the world, located in Taiban Subdistrict, Muang Samut Prakan District, where you can witness thrilling shows featuring well-trained crocodiles. Additionally, there are many more animals to explore, such as elephants, tigers, chimpanzees, gibbons, turtles, snakes, birds, camels, hippos, deer, and various fish species.

Trat Province, together with local agencies from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, local administrative organizations, and every district in Trat Province, organizes the “Sweet Rambutan Day Festival, Fruits and Good Products from Trat Province 2024” during May 18-22 at the front field of Trat Provincial Hall. The aim is to promote the quality fruits of Trat Province while enhancing marketing for local fruit farmers, community product manufacturers, and tourism in the province.

This event includes a variety of interesting activities, such as competitions for various types of fruits, such as sweet rambutan, monthong durian, school grade rambutan, smooth-skinned mangosteen, spotted mangosteen, and Trat golden pineapple; a free buffet of three kinds of fruits including rambutan, mangosteen, and durian, allowing participants to taste without limits; the opening of a quality fruit market at affordable prices; a contest for savory and sweet dishes made from Trat golden pineapple; a livestock question-and-answer session; a fruit salad competition; a bicycle rally exploring agricultural gardens; and Thai ridgeback dog competitions, among others.

The month of May is the best time for butterfly watching. Baan Krang Camp, located in Huai Mae Riang Subdistrict, Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi Province, organizes a butterfly watching festival to attract nature-loving tourists. This area is home to the largest variety of butterflies in Thailand, with over 200 species and more than 1,000 individual butterflies dazzling visitors.

The butterfly watching trail starts from kilometer 0 or the Khao Sam Yot checkpoint, stretching to kilometer 18, where tourists can see butterflies along the roadside or at mineral springs between kilometers 10-12. Those driving can enjoy the scenic route from Kaeng Krachan National Park's office up to Baan Krang Camp.

Besides admiring the beautiful butterflies, this national park also offers breathtaking views of lush greenery and fresh, cool air. Additionally, there are nearby attractions worth visiting, such as Kaeng Krachan Dam, Phanoen Thung viewpoint, Pong Luek-Bang Kloy village, camping grounds, and rafting to observe the lifestyle of the Karen Pgazcah people, tree tunnels, Pranburi Waterfall, and Mae Sa Lieng Waterfall.

Come and experience the beauty of local flora on the stony platforms, split stone fields, and flag-raising cliffs in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park that bloom in May each year. The white rose, also known locally as "three husbands flower", is a species in the ERICACEAE family, similar to the millennium rose, and is typically found in mountainous areas between 1,000-1,600 meters high, often growing in groups or spreading across open spaces with sandy stone surfaces.

In Thailand, the white rose can be found at Phu Kradueng National Park and Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary, but it is most abundant in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, where they bloom along the rocky paths of the nature trails. Tourists can admire the beauty of the white roses during May.

The Bun Bang Fai Festival in Yasothon Province honors Phaya Thaen, the god of rain, to ensure rain falls at the beginning of the farming season. This tradition is part of the Isan people's lifestyle and beliefs passed down through generations. In 2024, the Bun Bang Fai Festival will take place from May 10-12 at the area next to Yasothon Municipal Hall (Dome of Yasothon City).

The festival features a variety of exciting activities for participants, such as a creative rocket parade, a colorful traditional dance competition, demonstrations of rocket carving for audience participation, displays of ancient rockets reflecting historical traditions, cheering squad contests filled with fun, competitions for beautiful Bun Bang Fai maidens, light and sound shows combining the legend of Phaya Khan Kark describing the history of Bun Bang Fai in Yasothon, the launch of merit rockets and fortune-telling rockets to start good things, along with fancy rocket launching activities with spectacular smoke effects. Additionally, there will be a fancy parachute rocket competition and high rocket launches to add vibrancy to the event, along with the sale of OTOP products from Yasothon Province as souvenirs.

The Bun Bang Fai Talay Lan Festival at Kud Waha in Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province, features a unique characteristic with the "Talay rockets" which are round like wagon wheels, unlike ordinary rockets that have long tails. These Talay rockets are a one-of-a-kind phenomenon in the world, occurring only in Kud Waha, a village that produces rockets specifically for this festival in Thailand.

Each year, during the Bun Bang Fai Festival in Kud Waha, various fun and exciting activities take place, such as competitions to see who can launch their Talay rockets the highest and keep them airborne the longest, a parade with performances from Phu Thai dancers, and live broadcasts of rocket launches via online media for those who cannot attend the event in person to enjoy the atmosphere from home.

This tradition occurs on the third Saturday and Sunday of May every year, which in 2024 falls on May 18-19, providing an opportunity for locals and tourists to experience the charm and long-standing history of this local tradition.

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province is a travel destination with a wide variety of attractions, including mountains, caves, and the sea. One must-visit location is the Khao Daeng Viewpoint, located about 400 meters from the park office, which requires a nature trail walk of about another 400 meters, totaling about 1 hour for the round trip.

From Khao Daeng Viewpoint, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the national park, especially in the morning and evening, during sunrise and sunset, when the park's landscape is particularly beautiful—an experience not to be missed when visiting this park.

Maiton Island, also known as Honeymoon Island, is one of the most beautiful and lush islands in Thailand, located about 9-10 kilometers from Phuket and only a 15-minute boat ride away. The island's unique shape resembles a log, and its tranquility is unparalleled as it is a private island. The crystal-clear sea, akin to glass, makes it an excellent spot for snorkeling, with beautiful coral reefs and plentiful sea anemones attracting diverse fish species to the area.

Traveling on Maiton Island will offer a One Day Trip organized by licensed tour companies or for guests staying at resorts on the island only, making it uncrowded and perfect for those seeking peace and privacy while relaxing.

Satun Geopark is a geologically significant area located in Satun Province, covering an area of 2,597 square kilometers, which includes four districts: Mueang, Thung Wa, Manang, and La-ngu. Within the park, there are over 70 geological sites with significance both on land and in the sea, including:

Losin Island in Pattani Province, located the furthest offshore in Thailand, is indeed the smallest island in the country. This island features a small underwater rock formation that only rises about 10 meters above sea level, with a base of approximately 50 square meters underwater, lacking sandy beaches or life except for a lighthouse which serves as a prominent landmark for sailors.

However, Losin Island is considered one of the most beautiful deep diving spots in Thailand thanks to its clear waters and a diverse and vibrant coral ecosystem, often frequented by various marine life such as butterflyfish, stonefish, parrotfish, clownfish, and butterflyfish. Additionally, whale sharks frequently appear around this island, making it a must-visit spot for divers and nature lovers.

Doi Phu Nang National Park is located in the areas of Chiang Muan District, Dok Kham Tai District, and Pong District, Phayao Province, and is one of the unseen travel destinations in Phayao. With its rich and diverse natural landscape, this park has many interesting attractions, such as waterfalls, Tharn Sawann waterfalls, Huai Ton Phuk waterfall, Pang Ngun Cave, Phatang Cave, and it is also home to rare wildlife like peacocks, which can occasionally be seen.

Doi Phu Nang National Park is a site with rich and diverse nature, featuring interesting attractions in natural and archaeological tourism.

Umong Temple, Buddhist Park, also known as “Thon Thera Chan Temple”, is an ancient temple over 700 years old located at the foot of Doi Suthep in Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province. Constructed during the era of King Mangrai in 1839, it is an important Buddhist site that was once a residence and meditation retreat for Phra Mahathera Chan, an expert in the Tripitaka.

The interior of the tunnels features multiple passageways connecting to each other, adorned with wall paintings believed to have been created between 1900-2000, creating a mysterious and fascinating atmosphere for visitors.

Visiting Umong Temple not only allows you to experience the beauty of the inherited architecture and art but also offers a chance to search for peace in your heart, along with positive energy that will make you feel calm and happy upon returning home.

Renting a van or a VIP van with driver is a convenient and safe way to travel in Thailand, especially for groups of tourists seeking privacy and special experiences. Just like the services from Van Thai Karaoke Tour, which offers van rental with driver services for travel and karaoke tours on the van for your enjoyment throughout the trip.

Easy booking, affordable prices, safe on every route. Interested in renting a VIP van with driver? Contact Van Thai Karaoke Tour now!