Koh Phangan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in southeast Thailand. It is the fifth Thailand’s biggest island. Koh Phangan is the home of the largest beach party in Thailand, known as the Full Moon party, which is tied to the lunar calendar.
Haad Rin beach
The island of Koh Phangan offers plenty of beaches, but the most well-known beach on Koh Phangan is Haad Rin. The Haad Rin beach has once been the loveliest beach on the island, but nowadays it’s a crowded place. Still, it’s a good choice for those who love being out all night.
When the party takes place?
The Full Moon Party takes place every month throughout the year and we were really fortunate to go there.
I didn’t know much about parties in Thailand, but the name of Full Moon party was familiar to me. It’s like a legend living on a Thai beach.
The party is massive
The party is so massive that you can even find cases when around 30,000 people are partying on the beach, all at once. The time we were at the beach party there were about 10,000 people.
You will find a ton of dance floors, bars and drinks to choose from. Each bar has its own DJs and you can choose from a huge variety of music styles.
How to get there
You have some options how to get to Koh Phangan. You can take a flight to Surat Thani – it would be the most comfortable and at the same time the most expensive choice. Generally, it costs around 2,000 – 3,000 baht from Bangkok. To reach the island, you’ll need to come by ferry.
The second option is going by bus. There are many companies running overnight buses from Bangkok to Koh Phangan for 500–650 baht with a ferry ticket included. This way of traveling is much cheaper. On the other hand, it will take a lot of time and energy.
Where to stay during the Full Moon Party
You have to be close to the action, so you have to find an accommodation near Haad Rin beach. Unless your plan is to party all night, find accommodation away from Sunrise Beach.
It’s a must find a place several days before the party. Otherwise, it will be impossible. A day before the party it is a hard task even to find a motorbike for rent – everything is booked. The early birds win.
Money-Saving Tips
The entrance fee is only 100 baht, so the main expenses of the Full Moon Party are drinks and food. You are allowed to bring your drinks to the party area. If you want to save some money you can simply grab some beer at the 7-11 or buy cocktails away from the beach.
The other side and stay-safe checklist
For some of you, the party could look just like a wild, alcohol-fueled beach party. And that’s why:
- Drug dealers and undercover police. Never buy drugs, as they are illegal in Thailand.
- The ocean becomes a toilet for thousands of people. So it is a very bad idea to go in.
- Watch your drinks at all times or stick to bottles of alcohol.
For sure, it is a unique beach party that has a lot to offer and is definitely one of the must do/experience things when in Thailand. Party smart and enjoy!
Many thanks to Mau Loa photography for these amazing pics!