Full Moon Parties on Koh Phangan, Thailand

Haad Rin Beach is the Venue for This Global Party Festival

Sep 11, 2008

Full Moon Parties on Koh Phangan, Thailand, have a reputation that makes it a Mecca for party-lovers and young people who just want to dance and party all night

No one is sure when the first one happened, but it is generally accepted to have been in the late eighties, ‘87 or ‘88 maybe, and most people seem to agree that the first occasion was a birthday party. Nowadays it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the globe and from every walk of life.

Full Moon Parties - Where do They Take Place?

Full moon parties take place on Haad Rin Beach on Koh Phangan (Koh means island, so it’s Phangan Island) in the Gulf of Thailand, part of the 40- island group that makes up the Samui Archipelago. It is easily reached from Surat Thani, the provincial capital of the province and the main transport hub for the islands, or Koh Samui, which is a mere 12 Km. away. Samui is also linked by air to the island.

How to Find a Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan

Air Links to Koh Samui are plentiful from Bangkok and the northern cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, as well as Phuket, Singapore and Malaysia. Then either fly direct or take the 30 minute boat ride to Koh Phangan. From Bangkok there are good sleeper trains at reasonable cost but coach travel is the most economic. Be warned, though, sleep is not on the menu, as Thais like to have the distraction of videos all the while, plus the playing of loud music and probably some singing and dancing along the way.

Forthcoming Full Moon Party Dates

No one should think of arriving at Koh Phangan anytime from now on in without a firm reservation as rooms will be impossible to find. Plan to arrive two days before the Full Moon Party and book accommodation through a reputable travel agent.

Best Bars on Koh Phangan

The Orchid - on the beach for hip-hop, drum and beat and breakbeat and a great sound system.

The Lounge - smaller crowd in this extremely comfy bar with more sophistication.

Warm Up Bar – progressive house offers a great place to warm up before the main event.

Backyard Club – For the “after party” that starts just as Haad Rin beach shuts up for the night. For die-hard mooners.

Full Moon Party Etiquette

Don’t be temped by drugs as the Thai government operates zero tolerance towards drug takers.

Photocopy your Passport as ID (you should do this anyway wherever you stay in whatever country).

Always have footwear as a) there may be broken bottles on the beach and b) the sand will get hot very early in the day.

The copyright of the article Full Moon Parties on Koh Phangan, Thailand in Thailand Travel is owned by Mari Nicholson. Permission to republish Full Moon Parties on Koh Phangan, Thailand in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.