May marks the start of the rainy season in Ko Chang, a tropical island in Thailand. Temperatures remain incredibly high, but the amount of rainfall increases dramatically, while the number of sunshine hours drops a little.
In May, it can still get extremely hot as temperatures average 27°C, which is only one degree below the annual maximum that is recorded in the month of April. Daytime highs reach 31°C on average. During the night, temperatures average 23°C, which could be uncomfortable without air-conditioning. Those daytime and nighttime average temperatures tend to decrease slightly as the month progresses, by about one degree each. The temperature of the sea water remains at its yearly high throughout the month, averaging a bath-like 30°C. As warm as the water may be, during this time of year, the sea conditions are not favourable for diving or snorkelling as the seas are rough with dangerous rip-tides and low visibility.
The island begins receiving considerable rain, in the form of heavy downpours, particularly in the afternoons. The total amount of rainfall in May is 328mm and there are 13 days with precipitation. This makes May the fifth wettest of all months, after the four following months. As the weather continues to get wetter, the chance that precipitation occurs rises in the course of the month, from 57% in the beginning to 66% at the end. Thunderstorms are the one type of rainfall that should be expected this time of year, occurring on 70% of the rainy days. Moderate rain is observed on 19% of those days, light rain on only 9%. Particularly this time of year, humidity can be high and make for uncomfortably weather conditions.
There are 8 hours of sunshine per day on average, which gives visitors plenty of time to enjoy fun outdoor activities, such as elephant trekking, jungle trekking or visiting the island's spectacular waterfalls. Because the rains fuel those waterfalls, the wet season is one of the best times to visit these natural attractions. May being the beginning of that season, with still relatively low rainfall total, is an ideal month for waterfall hikes. October, the last month of the wet season is also excellent.
For great accommodation in May, book yourself a room at the beautiful Garden Resort located in the heart of the Kai Bae village, which is just a short walk from both lush rainforests and tropical beaches. It offers comfortable rooms equipped with amenities such as high speed internet and cable television. Enjoy fine Thai and Western cuisine at the resort's restaurant, and a cold drink at the resort's well-stocked bar.
For more affordable accommodation stay at the Tropical Beach Resort, which offers exciting activities such as snorkelling, kayaking and fishing. Accommodation is available in the form of chalet-style bungalows, located right at Klong Koi Beach. Situated far from the large crowds that visit other parts of the island, this resort is ideal for a peaceful and relaxing beach vacation.
Another recommended place to stay is Little Sunshine Resort, a resort and spa that has its own section of sandy beach and faces Chang Noi Bay great place to enjoy spectacular tropical sunrises and sunsets. All rooms and the main building face the sea. Amenities include tropical gardens, a swimming pool, a restaurant and a spa.
May might be quite wet, but usually the mornings are still nice to hit the beach. In fact, the sea water is at its warmest this time of year, averaging a delightful 30°C. Ko Chang is lined with spectacular tropical beaches in particularly the west coast. Consider visiting Chai Chet, located just north of Klong Prao Beach. This bustling beach area has everything you could possibly want, from hardware stores to beer bars, from luxury resorts to shopping plazas, and from beautiful soft sand to tall palm trees.
Iyara Seafood Restaurant is, as its name clearly implies, a seafood restaurant. This is a typical Thai restaurant, complete with teak wood floors, low cushioned seats and spicy food. Boasting a magnificent location at Klong Prao Beach, this restaurant can get quite busy in the evening.
For a quick snack or to satisfy your sweet tooth, head over to Crust, situated in the heart of Klong Prao Village next to the 7-11 store. This popular deli/bakery sells freshly made breads, cakes and pastries, as well as a variety of European cheeses, patés and cured meats. It includes a café that serves coffee, salads and sandwiches.
Adjacent from Crust, you will find Chumnam Restaurant. This is arguably one of the most visited small Thai restaurants on the island. While not architecturally beautiful or particularly well furnished, this down-to-earth eatery serves amazing Thai food for a super-cheap price.
Even though it rains quite a lot in May, with 328mm of precipitation, the rains do not dampen the festive mood of the islanders as this is the month they celebrate Buddha's Birthday. This event is celebrated on the 15th of May and it is a wonderful time for tourists to visit the island and explore the rich cultural heritage of Thai people. Many of the local templeshich are real highlights and strongly recommended visitingormally hold candlelit parades and tourists are welcome to join the celebrations.
Make a point of visiting the majestic Than Mayom Waterfall as it is especially impressive this time of yearhe wettest time of year. Located on the east coast, this waterfall is so renowned that it has been visited by two former Kings of Thailand. The waterfall consists of four levels and there is a plunge pool as well, which can be reached after some rock scrambling. Additionally, visitors can also enjoy peaceful walks along Than Mayom Beach. Other equally striking waterfalls you may want to see include Kheeri Phet Waterfall, Klong Nonsi Waterfall or the popular Klong Plu Waterfall, which is very close to two of the most popular beaches: Kai Bae Beach and Klong Prao beach.
