Full Moon Party

The party began around 1985 as a small gathering of travellers on Haad Rin beach and has grown into an event drawing tens of thousands on peak months, held on or near each full moon with additional half moon and black moon parties in between. Sound systems run the length of the beach from dusk until well after dawn, fire skipping ropes and burning arches are set up on the sand, and buckets of spirits and mixer are sold everywhere. The practical realities are well documented and worth stating: drink spiking, theft, drownings, motorbike accidents on the road back over the hill, and serious burns from the fire equipment all occur at these events, and Thai drug enforcement is severe with long sentences for possession. Accommodation across the island books out and prices multiply for the night. Anyone attending should keep valuables elsewhere, watch their own drink, and stay out of the sea.

What you actually see

• The beach sound systems - running the length of Haad Rin from dusk to after dawn.
• The scale - tens of thousands on peak months, from a 1980s gathering.
• The fire equipment - skipping ropes and burning arches on the sand.
• The monthly cycle - full moon, with half moon and black moon parties between.

When to go

Monthly on or near the full moon, year-round; December to March are the busiest. Accommodation across Ko Phangan books out and prices rise sharply for the night.

Honest expectations

Drink spiking, theft, drownings and serious burns from the fire equipment all happen at these events. Thai drug penalties are severe. The road back over the hill claims motorbike casualties every month. Keep valuables away, watch your drink and stay out of the water.

Nearby

Thong Sala is the island's main town; Bottle Beach and Than Sadet are north.