The Full Moon Party of Koh Phan Ngan

The Full Moon Party is the biggest, busiest, baddest beach party in the world, and it takes place every month, on the night of the full moon, on sunset beach of Haad Rin, Koh Phangnan, Thailand.

The History of The Full Moon Party

The first Full Moon Party took place in a wooden disco close to the beach in June 1987, attended by a small number of backpackers and accompanied by psychedelic trance music tapes from the Goa Party in India. The Full Moon Party grew in notoriety through word of mouth, and is now an iconic event drawing around 10,000 revelers in the average month, and up to 30,000 in peak season.

The Full Moon Party Music

As the popularity of The Full Moon party grew, the demand for a wider range of music became apparent. The clubs and bars lining sunset beach compete for attention in a war of drum and bass, house and reggae. The party begins in the early evening and continues into the next morning’s sunrise.

The Full Moon Party Cost

Entry to the beach is free, and drinks in the clubs are not as expensive as you might expect. Off licenses in Haad Rin town and small Thai restaurants mean you can drink and eat cheaply. Beach vendors sell all manner of snacks throughout the night

The Full Moon Party Experience

Fire Poi - burning, fuel-soaked balls on chains - are common; the beach is filled with mats, chairs and tables to watch the shows; partygoers wear colourful headbands, sweatbands and sunglasses, and paint themselves and each other in fluorescent paints - “The Full Moon Concept,” and the atmosphere is one of escapism, indulgence and excess.

The Full Moon Party Spin-offs

The Half Moon Party takes place twice monthly (one a week before and one week after The Full Moon Party) and is held in the Ban Tai jungle with around 5,000 attendees. The Black Moon Party is held on Ban Tai beach and attracts around 3,000. Koh Samui has its own Half Moon and Black Moon Escape parties, and Full Moon Reunion Parties take place throughout the world.

The Full Moon Party Accommodation

There are plenty of lower budget places to stay on and around Haad Rin. If you want something of higher quality, search for Koh Phangnan villas on one of the quieter beaches and commute for the party. The most suitable accommodation on Koh Samui is in Bang Rak and Bophut.

Get to The Full Moon Party

If you don’t plan on staying on Koh Phangnan, regular speed boats run fromm Bang Rak and Bophut on Koh Samui, and there’s a slower long-boat. Return services run through the night and morning. Bang Rak has plenty of accommodation to choose form, as does, Bophut, with top hotels, excellent luxury villas, and tour and travel services included that can help book your excurisons to parties on and of Koh Samui. Search ethailandvillas.com/samui for the latest availability.