The Ultimate Backpacker Party
By Alice Woolliams
Full moon parties have evolved
On the night of each full moon, thousands of music and dance-loving backpackers from all over the world congregate at Haad Rin beach on the southern tip of Kho Phangan for the iconic ‘Full Moon Parties’.
Origins
When a group of friends traveling in Thailand noticed the beauty of the full moon from Kho Phangan, they hosted a small, impromptu celebration that was to quickly become one of the most legendary music festivals on the planet. Soon Sunrise Bunglalows on the beach began making it a monthly event back in the early Nineties and the rest, they say, is history.
The event is now a popular date on the backpacking calendar and between 5,000 and 25,000 people gather each month at Haad Rin for a night of famously chaotic partying. The festival is still free for all to enjoy, which proves another major attraction for budget travelers in Thailand!
The Lowdown
The dates of the party follow the lunar calendar, with one event hosted every month on the night of the full moon. Each event begins at dusk when thousands of lamps and fires are lit all along the sand and then, as evening falls, the sound-systems and beach bars begin to crank up their music to really get the revelry underway.
Originally the tunes was dominated by psytrance and the 90s Goa scene, but recently the DJs have begun to play a wider range of electronica. Although trance is still prominent, you can also expect to hear techno, drum & bass, reggae and much more over the course of the evening.
In addition to the hectic music, there are usually fire-eaters, jugglers and fireworks entertaining the crowds. There’s also a variety of stalls on the beach selling an eclectic mix of food and drink, from cream cakes to falafel.
With so many young, international backpackers gathered together in one place, the party always has a high-energy, hectic vibrancy that’s impossible to find anywhere else in the world.
Part of its uniqueness, however, is also down to the different atmospheres and genres which blend together along the beach, allowing festival-goers to pick and choose the vibe and sound which they fancy at any one time. There’s even plenty of scope to chill out, with a handful of ambient bars and the soothing sound of the ocean providing respite from the hedonistic dancing.
Multiple parties stretch the length of Haad Rin bay
One word of warning, though: the Full Moon Party may be renowned for its friendly, bohemian atmosphere but it’s important to exercise the same caution as you would at any festival. Watch your valuables, be careful when accepting drinks from a stranger and remember that drugs, as in most countries, are illegal. The police are particularly strict about drugs, and though you might smell a joint or two while on the island, don’t be caught up in any of the roadblocks leading to the beach.
Where to Stay
There has long been an abundance of budget accommodation in Thailand catering to the crowds of backpackers drawn to the beautiful beaches and great water sports every year, andKoh Phangan hostels are no exception, boasting thousands of cheap beds between them.
However, backpackers head down to the island from hostels all over Thailand exclusively for this event, so it’s advisable to book a place to stay in advance, particularly during the high season.
Scattered across the island, ar other beaches mainly providing cheap private bungalows, many of which are right on the edge of the idyllic beach. You needn’t stay right at Haad Rin, which isn’t that paradisical anyhow it’s much better to enjoy the peace elsewhere and put up with a 30 minute taxi ride to the party beach.
Although there are plenty of places to stay in Haad Rin itself, any travelers hoping for a spot of relaxation after their all-night raving will find that the northern side of the island is more peaceful. The hostels are aware of the draw of the Full Moon Party and usually offer convenient free shuttles to and from Haad Rin beach for the event. More on the Full Moon Party.
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