Full Moon Party - Ko Phangan
The Full Moon Parties are famous (or infamous) worldwide. Many people come to Koh Phangan, and even Thailand, just for the Full Moon Party. The parties take place on the south part of the island, on Haad Rin beach, at every full moon. The parties were originally started by a bunch of hippies, who played music, danced, and got high by the light of the full moon. At that time there was no electricity in Haad Rin, so the full moon was the only source of illumination. Its light kept the wild dogs and muggers at bay, allowing the participants to enjoy a fun beach party undisturbed.
Over time, as the parties became better known, they grew tremendously, and lost their hippie vibes. Today each party has between 5,000 and 30,0000 attendees, depending on the season. The multitudes of restaurants, bars, and booths along the beach (with an ample electrical supply) provide food, endless alcoholic drinks in plastic buckets, along with a variety of blasting music. The crowd drinks, dances, and parties through the night, it is a sight to behold!
Accommodation on Haad Rin beach, or elsewhere on Koh Phangan, can be booked online. However, accommodations are also readily available without prior reservations, provided that you show up on the island four days or so in advance of the party. Another option is to find lodgings on a nearby island, and then travel to Koh Phangan by boat on the eve of the party.
Given the huge crowds and unrestrained nature of the party, attendees would be wise to observe some safety precautions. Proper foot gear can help prevent injury when dancing on the beach over the course of the night. To prevent pick pocketing, valuables should not be brought to the party. Only the money needed for the party should be brought, and it should be kept on one’s person. One should also be careful to stay away from drugs. This is less common today since the authorities on the island has worked hard to clean up the parties and bring them back to their peaceful origins. If nothing else, drug use is punishable by long jail sentences in Thailand jails and this is something no tourist wants to deal with.
Double check dates before book hotel and ferries, they can sometimes move the dates for some political or other upcoming events from government in Thailand.
Full Moon Party - Koh Phangan Dates
- 12 August 2022
- 10 September 2022
- 11 October 2022
- 08 November 2022
- 31 December 2022
- 06 January 2023
- 05 February 2023
- 07 March 2023
- 07 April 2023
- 05 May 2023
- 04 June 2023
- 02 July 2023
- 03 August 2023
- 29 September 2023
- 30 October 2023
- 27 November 2023
- 27 December 2023
