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Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan: The Ultimate Guide

 

Every month, on the beautiful island of Koh Phangan in Thailand, something magical happens. Thousands of travelers from all corners of the globe gather on the sandy shores of Haad Rin Beach to celebrate the world-famous Full Moon Party. If you’re seeking an unforgettable beach party experience, this is the place to be! In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about this iconic event.

 

What is the Full Moon Party?

 

 

The Full Moon Party is a monthly beach festival that takes place on Haad Rin Beach in Koh Phangan, Thailand. Lose yourself in more than 20 different stages of music along the beach, various bars and vendors across the streets of Haad Rin as well as huge outside events the days before and after.

  • Location: Haad Rin Beach, on the southern tip of Koh Phangan, transforms into a vibrant beach party hub during the Full Moon Party.

 

  • Date: As the name suggests, the event usually occurs every month during the night of the full moon. You can see the real full moon schedule for 2024 here. However, the Full Moon Party will not always happen on the exact day of the full moon. The reason are religious holidays, so called “Buddha Days”, which happen 3-4 times a year, always on a full moon day. During these religious holidays there is a nationwide ban for party and alcohol sales, which is why the Full Moon Party moves to the day after if these occur.

          Here are the Official Full Moon Party Dates for 2024:

      • January: Thursday 25.
      • February: Sunday 25. (Buddha day the day before)
      • March: Sunday 24.
      • April: Tuesday 23.
      • May: Thursday 23. (Buddha day the day before)
      • June: Friday 21.
      • July: Monday 22. (Buddha day the day before)
      • August: Monday 19.
      • September: Tuesday 17.
      • October: Friday 18. (Buddha day the day before)
      • November: Friday 15.
      • December: Sunday 15. + Tuesday 31. (NYE Special)

 

  • Vibe: With dynamic music, neon paint, beaches, and an electrifying atmosphere, the Full Moon Party is a one-of-a-kind celebration. Between 20 – 30.000 travellers from all over the world are swarming to Koh Phangan ever month to expierence the magic of the majestic Full Moon Party! From young backpackers to older couples, everyone is welcome and will find their spots to enjoy the night. However, the majority of the people will be between 25-35 year old backpackers and travellers looking for the ultimate beach party.

 

The Full Moon Party Experience

With many different stages, clubs, and bars every traveler will find their spot for the night. Immagine a more then 100m long beach with over 20 different stages of music to explore! Besides that, there are plenty of bars, pubs, restaurants and hostel parties to explore in all the connecting small streets. Just walk around through Haad Rin and let your self drift through an exciting night.

  • Music Diversity: Multiple stages feature an eclectic mix of electronic music, including EDM, mainstream, trance, techno, and house, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
  • Dance All Night: As the night progresses, you can dance on the beach until the early hours, fueled by the energy of the crowd and the beats of renowned DJs.
  • Fire Shows and Performers: Fire dancers and performers add to the spectacle, creating a mesmerizing visual experience.

 

 

  • Neon Paint. The Signature Look: Many partygoers cover themselves in neon body paint and fluorescent clothing, creating a surreal, glowing effect under the moonlight. Make sure you dont wear your favourite white shirt. Although the colour is possible to wash out of most fabric, its likely your white cloth will end up with some coloured spots.

 

 

  • Body Art Stations: You’ll find plenty of body art stations on the beach and in the streets, where you can get your creative glow-on with sophisticated designs and patterns. If you like to get creative on your own, you can buy the neon paint in most 20B shops. Most hostels offer a free body paint station as well where you can help yourself. Of course, if you are using a free service it is without question that you order at least one or two drinks to show good manor.

 

  • Buckets: The Full Moon Party is not only known for music and neon paint it is also popular for “buckets”. A bucket is basically a very strong and big long drink where you choose one sort of liquor (mostly vodka, rum, whisky) and a mixer. The bar staff will pour everything inside the bucket, fill the rest up with ice, add a few straws and there you go! About buckets there a few myth but also things to be aware of.

 

 

    • Myth: “People or bar staff will put drugs in your bucket.” This is a very common myth among travelers that is not true! First of all, drugs are highly illegal in Thailand, and dealing comes with very strong punishments. People would risk a lot only to buy them and way more to sell or trade them. Secondly, they are expensive. It is very unlikely that you will get them in your drink for free. However, it is always good to be aware and never leave your drinks unattended.

 

    • To watch out for: You will see buckets with small bottles of famous international brands. Always check the price. It is very unlikely that you will get a bucket with high-quality liquor for the same price only the bottle would cost in the shop. Better go for local spirits instead; they are less likely to be fake as they are way cheaper to buy. If you still prefer international brands, you will find different legit options like “Moonrise Beach,” for example. Anyway, you should always check the tax seal, which is taped over the lid. Make sure it’s sealed properly and wasn’t opened before. Let them open the bottle in front of you or even do it yourself if you want to make sure. It is normal that the drinks get poured into the bucket behind the bar. However, if you want to make sure you get 100% what you’ve ordered, choose a bar where you can have a look behind or see them pouring it into the bucket.

 

  • Bars and Clubs: Besides the music stages at the beach, you will find several indoor venues in the small streets as well as on the beach. Some of them even offer rooftop access, which grants a stunning overview of the massive party. Numerous beachfront bars serve a range of cocktails, buckets, and local beer, allowing you to sip your favorite drinks while enjoying the festivities.

 

  • Social Scene: The Full Moon Party is an excellent opportunity to meet fellow travelers and backpackers and make new friends from all over the world. The best spots to meet new people are probably at the hostels. Most hostels that have a bar, restaurant, or pool area will have big pre-parties with DJs, big sound systems, body painting, and everything else you need for the whole Full Moon Party experience. Other than that, you also have the chance to meet people inside the small bars and clubs along the streets.

 

Major Pre-Parties

 

Before the Full Moon Party itself, there are two major pre-parties you shouldn’t miss:

 

  • OXA Beach Party: Koh Phangan’s OXA Beach Party is a high-energy beach festival that kicks off the celebration two days before the Full Moon Party as well as every Wednesday.

 

  • The Jungle Experience: lose yourself in the vibrant and surreal world of The Jungle Experience, known for its eclectic music and immersive decorations, held the night before the Full Moon Party every month.

 

Practical Tips for the Full Moon Party

  • Stay long

    Make sure to stay at least 5 days on Koh Phangan to get better accommodation deals, enjoy all pre-parties and island activities, and get enough time to recover 😉

  • Arrive Early

    Haad Rin gets crowded quickly, so arrive early to secure a good spot on the beach (best before 8PM). Make sure to book your accommodation starting at least 2 days before the Full Moon Party so you dont miss the majore pre events and also have less stress on arrival due to less people in taxis and boats.

  • Stay Safe

    Keep an eye on your belongings, stay hydrated, and know your limits. Don’t bring your passport, wallet, cards, or smartphone to the party. Just ensure you have enough cash for drinks, food, and a taxi. Pickpocketing is not common but can still happen, so it’s best to take only what you really need and keep your bags and pockets closed. The Full Moon Party is mostly safe for all travelers; it’s very rare for anything to happen to anyone except for alcohol overdose. However, drunk people tend to lose stuff! So make sure you take as little as possible to enjoy your night.

  • Transportation

    Plan your transportation in advance, as getting to and from the island can be challenging before and after the party. Taxis will always be available across the island and at the party. Keep in mind that a shared ride is always cheaper, so gather people for the ride home if you can.

  • Accommodation

    Book your accommodation well in advance, as rooms fill up fast and rates go up closer to the date of the party.

  • Respect Local Customs

    While it’s a party, remember to respect local customs and traditions. Wear a shirt when you enter a store or restaurant. Be polite and talk respectfully to the people. Remember: you are a guest, you don’t speak the local language but they try to speak yours.

 

Conclusion

The Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan is a fascinating experience that draws party enthusiasts from around the world. With its pulsating music, neon paint, and an atmosphere like no other, it’s a bucket-list event for anyone looking to dance the night away on a picturesque Thai beach!

Plan your visit to Koh Phangan to coincide with the Full Moon Party and prepare for a night of unforgettable fun and adventure!

 

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