Songkran festival in Samui island

The best place to celebrate new years is nowhere but Samui island. This is because Samui island is a place which offers no less than three opportunities to ring in the new year. Locals of Samui island harbor in new year with their European friends on January 1st, with their Chinese friends on early February and on April 13th, they harbor in the first day of their traditional Thai solar calendar.
Songkran of Samui is celebrated on the first day of the Thai calendar

This celebration of the first day of the Thai solar calendar is called Songkran, which is a joyous occasion in Samui island. The word Songkran stems from the Sanskrit word 'New Year', which shows that major aspects of Indian culture was imported to Thailand over 2,500 years ago.

Songkran is a holiday for the family in Samui Island; this is why on this day, you find less of staff in restaurants and hotels as practically everyone vies to spend time with their families on this festival. On this day, all the houses in Samui Island are cleaned, sacred alters and images washed and huge meals prepared at home. It is on Songkran that family members scattered here and there come together to renew bonds and exchange gossip.
Visit Samui to experience the beauty of Songkran

The most interesting rite of Songkran is Wai Khon Gaa ceremony where people from all neighborhoods gather together to pour water on the two oldest members of the community and exchange blessings for the New Year. Another popular event of Songkran in Samui Island is the practice of Sat Nam where people gather large quantities of water that is chilled below freezing temperature to drench innocent passing pedestrians.
Teenagers of Samui love Songkran
On Songkran, teenagers across Samui Island arm themselves with dippers, barrels, buckets, water guns, hoses and delivery vehicles to launch their icy-cold liquid missiles. During Songkran, policemen in Samui Island are immune to any attack; however everyone else has to take this with good humor. Don't be surprised to be met with people wearing sopping clothes wherever you go in Samui Island during Songkran.

Koh Phangan Island

From Bangkok
By bus or rail to Suratthani province, and a ferry from one of the piers (Donsak: Seatran and Raja ferry lines) You can buy a joint ticket in Bangkok, for example on Khao San Road. You can also get here with the Lomprayah catamaran from Chumphon via Koh Tao. Lomprayah also has comfortable buses from Bangkok to Chumphon. (more information is found in the Samui information) If you are going from Samui you have a lot of alternatives; Catch a express boat, catamaran or a small ferry from Nathon, Maenam, Big Buddha, Bangrak or Bo Phut. Or, if your in a hurry, a speed boat from Maenam or Bo Phut is perfect. Please check with any travel agency or just go to the piers and buy the ticket there.

Koh Phangan is located in the Gulf of Siam a little North of Koh Samui. About 75 % of the island is mountains covered by tropical jungle. The coconuts are still produced and exported here and an important income, together with the growing tourist industry and fishing. There are several coconut fields here. In the south end of Ban Tai there is a big coconut storage.

Koh Phangan was for about twenty years somehow a hideaway for backpackers in Asia. Today you will find all kind of "farangs" or tourists from all over the world on this tropical island; Party peoples (going to the Fullmoon Party), young (and old) "love birds", globetrotters, families, divers or just people looking for a place where they can enjoy total relaxation . But Koh Phangan is still "less exploited" than its larger sister island Koh Samui and the and some beaches are almost "empty" in low season. This is still a place where you can find a peaceful holiday with a book in a hammock in a very easy going bamboo resort.

The Full Moon Party

This party is one of the most famous and visited beach parties in the world. It is held monthly at Haad Rin Beach in Southern Phangan.

Had Rin Nok and Had Rin Nai
The most popular beach on Pha Ngan. Here you will find the famous Full Moon Party. Had Rin is actually two beaches (Had Rin Nok and Had Rin Nai) and the East side is often considered as the most beautiful beach, but also the more crowded one.

Ban Khai, Ban Tai and Ao Nai Wok
These beaches are located in the South East of the island, East of Thongsala. You will find cheap accommodation and some beach bars here. Stunning sunsets can be seen over Koh Samui.

Had Yuan, Had Thien and (Eastern) Had Yao
These three beaches are located North of Had Rin Nok. Relaxed places only accessible by foot or by a taxi boat etc.


Other beaches in the South are: Had Yang, Had Khontee and Had Leela.