Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan

The full moon parties on Koh Phangan began over fifteen years ago with a group of itinerant backpackers raving in the moonlight on Haad Rin Nok. They arranged a drug-fuelled, all-night psychedelic trance dance party along the crescent-shaped beach of Haad Rin. The full moon party gained fame quickly through word of mouth, and people from all over the world flocked to join the celebration. Gradually the event has become a standard part of the itinerary for many travellers to SE Asia. The full moon party now draws a crowd of between five and ten thousand every full moon night; Making it the biggest regular party in SE Asia, and the certainly the most celebrated dance party in Thailand.

The site of the full moon party is sunrise side of Haad Rin Beach. The full moon party is split among several beach front venues offering a concoction of music including trance, techno, drum and bass, house and reggae. Most of these places have their own dance floors, but ravers tend to spill out onto the beach right up to the waters edge. Ravers spill out from the open air dance halls onto the beach right up to the waters edge. Apart from the international dj’s doing there knob twisting music thing, impromptu entertainment at the party includes jugglers and unsupervised (and occasionally uncontrolled) firework displays. Poi are also a common sight at the parties. This is usually the metal chain version with burning kevlar wicks, performed by both locals and tourists.

In the week leading up to the full moon, Koh Phangan fills with people anticipating the party. Haad Rin, and indeed much of the island, gets packed out in the days leading up to the full moon so make sure you book your accommodation! On the night of the party boat loads of revellers are shipped over from neighbouring island Koh Samui. They party all night and leave by boat again in the morning. Some think it is lunatic, for others it is the high spot of their holiday. As you can imagine, proprietors have a massive clean up job to do the following morning. The sight of Haad Rin the morning after a full moon party is not a pretty sight. These days the main party shuts down in the early morning, but if you still haven’t had enough after a night long party then after hours you can head up to the Backyard pub which keeps the party atmosphere going for a few more hours. If all-night dance parties are not your thing, rest assured that Horizon Thai Boxing Camp is far enough away from the full moon mayhem that it won’t disturb you’re your beauty sleep!

Sex, drugs and booze at the Full Moon Party

Illegal drugs such as hallucinogenic mushrooms, ecstasy, opium and a variety of amphetamines including the are dangerous methamphetamine Yaa Baa (crazy medicine) are available, and this may seem like a great opportunity to get in the action. But bear in mind that Thai law hands out harsh penalties for drug offences. Even young people can be sentenced to a long time in prison if they are arrested with drugs on them. There are always plain clothes policemen present at the full moon party and there are constant reports of travelers being arrested and imprisoned. Police roadblocks along the road from Thongsala and Haad Rin checking for drugs are common during the week leading up to the full moon.

As well as drug taking the event is synonymous with binge drinking. Whiskey (actually a kind of rum) is served in buckets of varying size mixed with Coke, a locally produced concentrated form of Red Bull, or even both. Full moon parties are a great way to let yourself go and a great place to meet other travelers, however, some caution is required when attending one. If you are likely to drink more and consume substances your body is not used to then remember you will make yourself an easy target for crime, and you will act like a spaz.

Full Moon Party Dates in 2006

14 January
14 febraury
14 march
13 april
13 may
11 june
12 july
9 August
7 September
7 October
5 November
6 December