Every April, Koh Lipe bursts into colour and laughter during Songkran, Thailand’s New Year festival. From 13–15 April, the island turns into a joyful mix of water fights, temple rituals, and seaside celebrations. While smaller than in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, Koh Lipe’s version carries a tropical charm, blending Buddhist tradition with laid-back island life.

Experiences to Try

Walking Street and Pattaya Beach become playful battlegrounds where locals and travellers splash each other with buckets and water guns. For something quieter, Sunset Beach offers family-friendly fun with smaller crowds. At Sunrise Beach, you can join locals in building sand pagodas decorated with flowers and flags, a symbolic way of giving sand back to the temple. At Wat Koh Lipe, morning rituals include pouring scented water over Buddha statues and receiving blessings from monks, often with jasmine garlands and sticky rice offerings.

Best Time to Celebrate

The liveliest days are 12–16 April, with water fights beginning late morning and running until dusk. Early risers will find temple ceremonies between 7 and 9 AM, offering a calm and reflective side to the festival before the splashing begins.

Eco-Tips

Choose refillable water guns or buckets over disposable plastic toys. Many vendors now sell biodegradable options. Reef-safe sunscreen is essential, as hours of play under the sun and water quickly wash it away. Supporting stalls and cafés that reduce plastic, like Elephant Coffee House, helps keep the island cleaner.

Costs and Essentials

Songkran shirts in bright floral patterns are easy to find on Walking Street for 30–200 THB and are a fun way to blend in. Waterproof pouches and water gun rentals cost around 50 THB per day. Comfortable sandals with good grip are important, as streets can get slippery during the festivities.

Quick Guide

• Festival dates: 13–15 April

• Main areas: Walking Street, Pattaya Beach, Sunrise Beach

• Family-friendly: Sunset Beach and sand pagoda workshops

• Eco-tip: Reef-safe sunscreen and refillable water gear

• Best time: Water fights from 10 AM, temple blessings at sunrise