Khao Lak during monsoon season – an essential guide

POV: You’re perched on a sunlounger by the pool, drink in one hand, book in the other – you know, the essentials. Now, imagine the heavens open and it starts to rain… Your hopes and dreams for a laidback, tropical, sun-drenched holiday, all washed away. Or are they?  

Well, two months ago, that was my reality. In Khao Lak, Thailand, during the monsoon season. Thailand’s rainy season usually lasts from June to October. Did I know this beforehand? I can tell you with absolute confidence that I did not. So, my boyfriend and I had to wing it. Switch things up and change our plans here and there to still try and make the most of our long-awaited trip to Thailand. Spoiler alert: it is possible!  

We had the holiday of our dreams during monsoon season – and so can you. All you need is this guide and I promise you that you will set foot on Thailand’s lush green shore, fully prepared for a less crowded and cheaper experience, in exchange for the odd downpour… Let’s get into it.   

An introduction to Khao Lak 

Khao Lak is a super peaceful spot on the west coast of southern Thailand, hugging the Andaman Sea. When travelling to Khao Lak, it is very likely you will catch a flight to Phuket, as this is the nearest airport in the area. Phuket’s about an hour’s drive away and there are loads of companies that offer rides there for good prices, or you can add a hotel transfer onto your booking.  

Khao Lak is the name used to refer to several villages in the Takua Pa district of the Phang Nga province, mostly known for its stunning beaches, such as Memories and Coconut Beach, and idyllic sunset spots. It’s also considered a gateway to many islands, the most famous being the Similan and Surin Islands. The Phi Phi Islands and James Bond Island are also accessible from Khao Lak, with many tour operators running daytrips to these stunning places. Visiting some of these islands during the rainy season is possible, but keep in mind that these trips are highly dependent on the weather conditions and tours may be cancelled or postponed. But that’s not to say that you can’t do any good-weather activities at this time of year. Especially at the start of the rainy season, the sun will most definitely make guest appearances in the sky. So, don’t be thinking all Khao Lak’s beaches are completely off the cards… There are also plenty of other things you can do during your rainy tropical holiday, too, and lucky for you, I can give you the inside scoop on them below… 

Rainy day activities in Khao Lak 

Traditional Muay Thai classes 

It’s no secret that Thailand is the birthplace of the martial art form known as Muay Thai. It can be found everywhere throughout the country and Khao Lak is no exception. Sometimes, when I close my eyes and try to get my brain to focus on something important, I can still randomly hear the announcer yelling the details of the next boxing match through a speaker from his car as he drives through town. Yes, they do it that often… You will probably want to escape it, and you will try to escape it, but you will fail. The Khao Lak Boxing Stadium is where you can really get to understand this ancient martial art, with regular matches available to watch. We ended up not checking it out (big regrets.) But, according to our fellow hotel guests, the experience was amazing, and they highly recommended it. There was even air-conditioning inside, or so I’m told…   

If you want to give it a go yourself, there are loads training grounds throughout Khao Lak that teach not only Muay Thai, but a few different martial arts. My boyfriend and I visited Empire Muay Thai and, needless to say, he loved every minute of it and came back convinced he was John Cena. This specific training ground had a huge variety on offer, even dance fitness and yoga! The instructors here were really nice and able to push you to your limit but still didn’t demand too much of you. They also did a good job of not making the children think they were going easy on them, while still going easy on them all the same. The tiny fighters among us were treated with just as much importance, and they loved all the attention. All in all, it was a really memorable experience.    

Fill your belly at the food market 

Craving some authentic Thai street food? Then, the well-known Bang Niang Market is the place to be. I loved the variety of food options here, as there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re craving a meal, a snack or a sweet treat, they’ve got it all. It’s also possible to shop here ‘til your heart’s content, but I would personally recommend you check out the shops in Khao Lak Center. At Bang Niang Market, it’s normal to haggle the prices and they almost always start above market value. But in the Center, I noticed the shops had all the same items but with set prices that were often twice as cheap, so it’s a much more relaxing atmosphere to shop and you know you’re getting a good deal upfront.  

Local cooking classes 

Thailand is a foodie paradise, so you have to have a go at creating some authentic Thai dishes yourself. My boyfriend and I took a cooking class at Pakinnaka Thai Cooking School and honestly, it surpassed all our expectations. This was not just a cooking class, but an immersive experience into daily life here in Khao Lak. We even lucked out and were the only ones in the class, because there are always less tourists during the rainy season. A private cooking and dining experience is enough of a reason to book that holiday outside of the high season, if you ask me! 

Before starting the cooking class, we headed to a local market for an authentic experience and picked up everything we would need. We were also told lots of interesting things about Thai cuisine and even tried some produce, as well as had some free time to explore the market. The locals were lovely, and the prices were even more affordable here, due to the lack of tourism in this area. It was so different to the Bang Niang Market mentioned before. We headed to the cooking school afterwards for our class, and the chef was lovely – they actually feature on season two of the Amazon Prime series, The World Cook. The best part was getting to eat our own dishes afterwards, obviously.  

Treat yourself to a Thai massage 

There are loads of other things you can do in Khao Lak or even in some resorts to help fill up your rainy holiday itinerary. We opted for Thai massages, which you’ll see pretty much every salon offering here, throughout town and near the resorts. A traditional Thai massage is another lovely way to experience the Thai culture in a relaxing and mindful way – the perfect holiday activity, whatever the weather. They usually offer a wide variety of massages if you fancy booking another type, too. 

Temple tours and historical sites 

Across from the Bang Niang Market, you will find the Tsunami Memorial. More specifically, the Police Boat 813 Memorial Park. This gives a unique insight into some of Khao Lak’s tragic but impactful history, showcasing the police boat that was assigned to protect the royal family during the 2004 tsunami. The park also contains a small, local museum, run by survivors and individuals who lost loved ones during the disaster. A fair warning, the images you will see here can be triggering, but it’s such an important way to support the local community.   

As a Buddhist country, Thailand also has no shortage of breathtaking temples that are open to the public and to tourists. The temples I visited and recommend are Wat Khom Niya Khet, which gave a remarkable insight into how important Buddhism is to the locals and how it shapes their daily lives. Dragon Cave Temple also stood out to me, with its perfect blend of religious sites and stunning nature. Then, Wat Bang Riang Temple earned my favour for its stunning architecture and murals, detailing the story of Buddha. And lastly, Wat Manee Sri Mahathat Temple, which I unfortunately didn’t get to see much of because the museum was closed at the time of our visit. I can tell you that the massive statue of a monk alone is enough for me to recommend this temple. Please note, it’s respectful to keep your shoulders and knees covered and take your shoes off before entering. But, my golden tip for all of these temple visits? Just bring an umbrella or raincoat and you’re good to go.    

Make the most of where you’re staying 

Lastly, I would recommend checking if your resort or hotel offers any activities. This is an easy and fun way to still delve into Thai culture, whether that be through art, wildlife or something else entirely, but all from the comfort of where you’re staying. We stayed at the Khao Lak Merlin Beach Resort and I couldn’t recommend it enough. It has tropical green gardens and a beach, which are perfect for a stroll, even in the rain if you just take an umbrella. They offered a range of activities, including diverse wildlife-spotting tours and different nature crafts using natural products, which I loved doing. A good place to stay is really what will make your rainy Khao Lak holiday, so make sure to do your research before making a decision.    

The message you should take away from this guide is that visiting Khao Lak during monsoon season is a no-brainer. It’s less crowded, it’s cheaper, the greenery looks even more lush, and there WILL be days when you do see the sun – trust me. There is definitely enough to see and do during monsoon season and, as someone who has been during this period, I would do it again. 

Travel to more places out of season and save with our Wonky holidays.  

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Author: Mariska Bradley (she/her) 
Last updated: 20/08/2025