You’ve heard the stories of Thailand’s globally renowned Koh Pha Ngan Full Moon Party and you’ve seen the pictures of the partiers welcoming the sun rise. What do you need to know to enjoy the now-legendary party? Read our low-down on full mooning Thai-style.
Koh Pha Ngan has long been notorious as the Thailand hedonistic island, suitable for only the most rampant part-goers. While this is quite far from the truth at most times of the year, come the full moon each month, thousands of revelers descend on the southern tip of the island for the country’s biggest all-night rave.
Easily accessible from neighbouring Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan attracts a mishmash of Thai and foreign travellers to its popular Full Moon parties. Some come in their worn hippy clothes which have been dragged across Southeast Asia to get here, while others have just recently stepped off the plane looking to add another notch to their party lists after Ibiza, Goa and other global party capitals.
Unless you have been organised enough to get yourself here well before the party starts, you will likely find yourself herded into the back of a pick-up truck-cum-taxi the moment you step off the boat at Thong Sala Pier. Party-fiends should hold on tight as they embark on the rollercoaster ride to Had Rin, the cape where all the action is. It’s like nothing else in Thailand.
The police presence en-route which has sprung up over the past few years makes it wise to refrain from carrying any illegal substances on your person; remember you’re in a country which advocates the death penalty. Long gone are the days when you could hitch a ride, spliff in mouth. The authorities here mean business and will have you banged up in no time at the slightest hint of monkey business.
Good accommodation can be a real hassle to find, but if all you are after is a dog-eared mattress in which to lay your head, there are dozens of budget bungalows on Koh Pha Ngan in addition to some more upscale choices. Get here late and you could find yourself walking to the western side of the cape to find a bed, a quieter yet unappealing overflow for hedonists.
You could opt for no accommodation at all - a genuine option for those hopping on a boat to Samui in the early hours – but don’t be surprised to find your party spirit waning in the early hours, when you might end up squabbling over a patch of shrubbery in which to catch forty winks.
Most of us heard of the Full Moon Party long before the release of the 2000 Hollywood blockbuster The Beach, but the movie helped to push the party to global status, with it now attracting even greater crowds. A far shout from its humble beginnings as a hippy get-together, the hard work has been taken out of reaching this not-so-underground rave, with little more effort involved than purchasing an all-inclusive bus-ferry ticket from Bangkok.
With it no longer being necessary to be an intrepid traveller to attend, is this still the party of the century? Well, you might not bump into Leonardo De Caprico, but most people manage to enjoy themselves.
“Great looking women, good music and plenty of booze”, says Pierre from Paris, summarising the event. “It’s Glastonbury meets Ibiza on a remote Thai island”, adds the 32-year-old web designer who was in his first trip to Thailand.
However, despite many rating the Full Moon Party as Asia’s hottest event, there are others that consider full mooning to be well past its sell-by date and prefer neighbouring Samui. Its former laid-back feel once attracted the liberal-minded, but the hippies have now been replaced by teams of Thai police who mingle with the crowds in search of law-breakers. The day-glow face paint, fire jugglers and bongo drums are still here, alongside the DJs and endless flow of Sangsom, but is the party vibe the same?
“The sight of passed-out revelers strewn across the beach at sun rise was not what I had in mind”, says 23-year-old Mandi from Sydney. “The music left a lot to be desired and so did the party clientele”, she adds.
Those who come expecting cutting-edge dance music may leave disappointed, with inexperienced bedroom DJs and reputable ones in equal numbers. Over intoxicated youngsters hyper on Red Bull gather to have a go at fire juggling and others feats, while pick-pockets ply their trade on unsuspecting ravers and unlocked bungalows. These days, modern full mooners need a whole new set of skills to survive a night at Had Rin, especially if night-tripping over from Samui.
Opportunities to meet weirdos are plentiful too, making it wise not to attempt to stroll back to your bungalow alone at night. Other dangers include the Gulf waters, where a tempting splash around could amount to a mouthful of urine, with the shallow waters quickly turn into a men’s urinal once the party gets rocking. In Thailand anything goes remember.
The partiers may be a generation on from the originals, but the spirit of having a good time is still alive and kicking. It may not be what you expected, but any hedonist would have a hard time having at least a little fun here. The only real way to really find out whether the Koh Pha Ngan full moon party is an epicures dream or worst nightmare is to join the event and see for yourself. What are you waiting for?
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