27 September 2026, Khao Lak, Thailand: The 2026–27 season of Tipi Jabrik’s Grom Patrol got off to an exciting start at Pakarang Beach in Khao Lak, Thailand, on Friday, September 25, before wrapping up yesterday with champions crowned in the Under 14, Under 16, Under 18 and Under 18 Longboard divisions, as well as combined Under 12 and Under 10 divisions for boys and girls.
The wave conditions were near perfect on Friday, with 1–2 foot, glassy waves allowing 24 15-minute heats to be completed and setting up for a full second and final day of competition on Saturday, where another 18 heats were run to determine the semifinalists and finalists across all divisions.
Saturday’s waves were smaller and affected by wind, while a rainstorm at one point forced a 45-minute break. However, the talented young groms rose to the challenge and put on great performances to close out the event, with several competitors taking part in multiple divisions.
The majority of the Under 18 field was made up of surfers from Thailand or based in Thailand, while several competitors made the trip from Bali to join their Thai friends and experience the waves of Khao Lak firsthand, including Rafael Hiroshi Setiadi and brothers Charlie and Reef Kirkwood.
At stake each Grom Patrol event are tickets to the annual Grom Patrol Grand Final in Bali, held every August, for the top Under 18 Shortboard and Longboard, and Under 16 Shortboard competitors (both male and female).
Earlier this year, Bunyarit Khansiri, from the small island of Koh Phayam, qualified for the Bali Final after winning the Under 18 Longboard title at the Grom of the Sea event in Phuket. His third-place finish in the Grom Patrol Longboard Final in Bali was a respectable result in his first competition outside Thailand.
Bunyarit not only won the Under 18 Longboard Boys Division yesterday, but also took the Under 16 Boys title, giving him two tickets to Bali for the Grand Final.
“I’m very excited to be able to go back to Bali for a second chance. It was a great experience to compete with all the good surfers there, so it’s motivating me to do better. There are so many good shortboarders in Bali, so I really need to work harder to catch up with them. I’m more confident on the longboard, so my goal is to be able to win that one next time and to get into the final of the shortboards.”
Also winning two divisions was Earng Jirapat, who took the top spots in the Under 14 and Under 16 Girls divisions.
“I’m so happy to win, and especially with my Under 16 win I get a place in the Bali Final. This last Grom Patrol Final I was in El Salvador at the ISA World Juniors, so I missed it, but I’m really happy to know that I’ll be going back this time. The year before that I won here in Thailand, so I’ve been to a Bali Final before, which is why I’m looking forward to going back.”
When asked about winning in the challenging conditions, she replied, “It was really small and hard to surf, but I found my way by being patient and waiting for the sets.”
First-time winner in the Under 18 Boys Shortboard was Sahyamrat Chaiyakham, who pulled off a last-minute victory over Gwynt Jandke, who had been in the lead for most of the final.
“I’m really excited about getting to go to Bali, since I’ve never been there and I’ve heard so much about it. The waves are really good there, and there are lots of good surfers, so I want to experience it and see if I can win there also.”
Montita Na Takuathung won the Under 18 Girls Longboard title and was excited about the opportunity to return to Bali. She has been there before and competed in a GromSearch event, but did not have the result she wanted, so she is looking forward to doing better this time.
When asked what she enjoys most about Grom Patrol events, she replied, “I really enjoy that it gives me a chance to get a lot of experience, meet with friends and make new friends, and keep trying to improve myself, learning from my mistakes and my successes.”
Last but not least, Under 18 Girls Shortboard winner Aonnarin Engsrisawang finished second in both the Under 14 and Under 16 divisions to Earng Jirapat, but on her third attempt came through with the win and secured her ticket to Bali.
Aonnarin competed in the recent Bali Grand Final, where she won the Under 16 Girls Shortboard Division, and will fly to Taiwan tonight to compete in the first Grom Patrol Taiwan event.
“I get such great experience doing these Grom Patrol events,” she said. “I get to surf new waves, make new friends, and get a lot of valuable experience. I’m so excited to be going to Taiwan. I don’t care what the result is, I just want to do my best.”
For Khaolak Surf Town’s Contest Director, Chatchai Samporn, hosting a Grom Patrol event makes an important contribution to the progression of Thai surfing.
“This is definitely a big boost to our surfing community, as we can have a legitimate international-level event where we can invite kids from other countries to come and compete in our waves,” said Samporn. “Our kids can learn and compete in a structured environment, meet and compete with kids from other countries but on Thai waves, which will motivate them. Plus, they don’t need to travel to get this experience, they can have this event right here at home, but as they progress they have a chance to go to Bali for the Grand Final if they win.
“Our government has been great at supporting this event, and hopefully will continue to do so into the future, as they see we are doing something good for the future of this sport and for the kids. Who knows, someday in the future we can host a Thai Grand Final. That would be really amazing!”
In addition to the surfing competition, the weekend-long Phangnga Surf Festival @ Khao Lak featured an abundance of food, handicraft and drink concessions, along with live music and DJs entertaining everyone in the evenings after the competition.
It was a great weekend of surfing and community activity in a beautiful part of Thailand, and another strong start to the new Grom Patrol season.
Results:
To view all results from Grom Patrol Thailand 2026, visit Live Heats at https://liveheats.com/events/553259
Watch:
The event was broadcast live, with Finals Day available to watch online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KnCS1qo04M&t=42s
Follow:
Grom Patrol: @grom.patrol
Asian Surfing Cooperative: @asiansurfco
Khaolak Surf Town: @khaolaksurftown_official
For GromPatrol Thailand inquiries:
WhatsApp: +66 97 424 5197 (Khun Man)
Email: Phangngasurfingclub@gmail.com