Grand Mercure Khao Lak Bangsak - Upscale hotels & resorts

Each April, the rhythm of Songkran unfolds between golden beaches and quiet temples of Khao Lak. Here in Phang Nga’s coastal paradise, Thailand’s beloved New Year festival feels more intimate, less about chaos, more about connection. Water fights spill across Khao Lak streets, monks bless the morning air, and families gather to celebrate renewal under the tropical sun.

What is the Songkran Festival?

Songkran marks Thailand’s New Year, a three-day celebration that runs every 13 – 15 April. It’s a moment when the country slows down to reconnect with family, faith, and community through water, which symbolizes renewal.

In December 2023, UNESCO added “Songkran in Thailand, the traditional Thai New Year festival” to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The announcement gave fresh energy to the festival’s return in 2024, inspiring towns across the country to blend modern fun with old-world rituals.

Khao Lak, the serene stretch of coast in Phang Nga, celebrates Songkran in its own rhythm. It’s not the shoulder-to-shoulder chaos of Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Instead, the festival here unfolds between calm beaches, village temples, and a few lively splash zones where locals and visitors meet with water guns and easy smiles.

Where to Celebrate in Khao Lak and Things to Do Beyond the Water Fight

Khuk Khak Street

The heart of the action lies along Khao Dok Kha Road in Khuk Khak. For three days, usually from 11 to 13 April, the municipality transforms the street into a lively festival corridor filled with a giant water tunnel, foam zone, and live music stage. It’s an all-ages celebration organized by Khuk Khak Municipality and now one of the most anticipated events on the local calendar.

Just a short distance away, Khuk Khak Temple (Wat Khuk Khak) offers a quieter side of Songkran. Locals gather here in the morning for merit-making, Buddha bathing, and Rod Nam Dam Hua ceremonies to pay respect to elders before the afternoon festivities begin. The temple’s serene setting provides a beautiful balance between spiritual reflection and joyful celebration, showing how Khao Lak keeps the soul of Songkran alive in both its streets and its sacred spaces.

Takua Pa Old Town

About 20 minutes north, Takua Pa Old Town offers a slower, more cultural scene. Along the Sino-Portuguese shophouses, residents host a “retro Songkran” known as the cultural street. Here, people pour scented water over Buddha statues, elders give blessings, and traditional parades fill the narrow lanes. It’s the gentle face of Songkran Khao Lak, rich with heritage and heart.

The streets glow with nostalgia as locals dress in Thai silk and music echoes between pastel façades. Small cafés serve cold drinks and local sweets, giving travelers a chance to pause and watch the festivities unfold at their own pace.

Bang Niang Market Zone

Back in Khao Lak town, Bang Niang Market has become a casual playground. While the market normally opens Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00, during Songkran its daytime lanes turn into spontaneous splash zones.

As the sun sets, Bang Niang Market becomes the place to wander. Try crispy roti, grilled prawns, and fresh coconut ice cream while music floats through the stalls. It’s a slice of local life that complements the day’s chaos with calm and a perfect way to cool off after hours of water play.

How to Prepare for Songkran in Khao Lak

April in Thailand is hot. Keep hydrated, wear light clothes, and take breaks under shade. A waterproof phone pouch and a dry bag are must-haves. Local tourism offices also suggest goggles to protect your eyes from high-pressure streams and foam.

Dress appropriately, especially if you plan to visit temples for morning merit-making. When playing in the streets, always ask before splashing, respect is the core of modern Songkran. Avoid splashing monks, babies, or anyone on motorbikes or using electronics.

A Three-Day Songkran in Khao Lak Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival and Market Mood

Arrive in Khao Lak and check in at your resort before noon. Settle into the rhythm of coastal life with a walk along Bang Sak Beach, where soft waves meet golden sand. Spend your first afternoon unwinding by the pool or enjoying a Thai massage to shake off travel fatigue.

As the evening approaches, head to Bang Niang Market, one of Khao Lak’s liveliest local hubs. The market opens from 14:00 to 22:00 and is filled with energy during the Songkran week. Stroll past stalls selling handmade crafts, fruit shakes, and southern Thai dishes. It’s an easy, cheerful start that introduces the warmth and community spirit Khao Lak is known for.

Day 2 – Tradition and Celebration

Wake early and make your way to Wat Khuk Khak. Locals gather here to make merit, bathe Buddha statues, and perform Rod Nam Dam Hua, the gentle pouring of water to ask blessings from elders. The atmosphere is calm and reflective, with the scent of jasmine and incense in the air. It’s a beautiful moment to witness the deeper meaning behind Songkran Khao Lak.

By late morning, the tone shifts as the water festivities begin along Khao Dok Kha Road in Khuk Khak. This is where the fun happens. The municipality transforms the street into a family-friendly festival ground with a giant water tunnel, foam zone, and live DJ sets. Locals, tourists, and kids run through waves of water under the bright April sun.

When the sun dips low, head back to your Khao Lak resort to freshen up. In the evening, enjoy a seafood dinner by the beach, perhaps at one of Khao Lak’s coastal restaurants or at your hotel’s open-air dining area. A cool drink, good food, and the sound of the ocean are the perfect way to unwind after a day of joyful chaos of Songkran in Khao Lak.

Day 3 – Nature and Reflection

Trade water guns for waves with a day trip to the Similan Islands or Surin Islands. Boats depart early in the morning from nearby piers, and the journey reveals clear turquoise water, coral reefs, and white sandy beaches. Spend the day snorkeling or relaxing on deck under the sun.

If you prefer to stay closer, visit Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park, where shaded trails and gentle waterfalls offer peaceful alternatives to the crowds. Return by late afternoon, enjoy a final swim at your resort pool, and watch the sky turn gold over the Andaman Sea.

By the end of three days, you’ll have experienced every shade of Songkran Khao Lak from the sacred and traditional to the vibrant and playful, all wrapped in the easy beauty of the coast.

Where to Stay in Khao Lak for Songkran

For those seeking a peaceful base between cultural traditions and the rhythm of the sea, Grand Mercure Khao Lak Bangsak is the perfect retreat. Nestled along the quiet stretch of Bang Sak Beach, the resort blends Southern Thai charm with contemporary comfort. It sits within easy reach of Khuk Khak’s water street and Takua Pa Old Town, yet remains far enough to let you wake to the sound of waves and rustling palms instead of crowds.

Spacious rooms open to garden or lagoon views, while the beachfront pool and spa create a setting made for rest between the celebrations. Guests can begin the day with a temple visit, return for a soothing massage, and end the evening with dinner by the sea at the resort’s signature restaurant. Whether you join the water play or simply watch the sunset melt into the horizon, Grand Mercure Khao Lak Bangsak captures the true essence of Songkran in Khao Lak, renewal, joy, and togetherness by the Andaman shore.

Songkran in Khao Lak captures the heart of Thailand’s New Year through joy, culture, and a calm coastal rhythm. The celebration moves from morning rituals in Takua Pa to the water play of Khuk Khak and the evening buzz of Bang Niang Market. Each moment invites travelers to experience the warmth of local life.

Khao Lak offers a different pace from the crowded cities. Here, the festival unfolds beside the sea, where tradition and fun exist in perfect balance. It is a place to celebrate, reconnect, and welcome the new year with a clear mind and a full heart.