FULL MOON PARTY THAILAND,
Essential to remember
The Full Moon Party of Koh Phangan takes place every full moon on Haad Rin Nok beach, since 1985. Attendance: 5,000 to 30,000 people depending on the season. Paid entry (~150 baht), mandatory alcohol bucket, fluorescent recommended.
I will speak more precisely about the full moon party in Thailand at Koh Phangan, others are improvised in some cities but the real one is at Koh Phangan on Haad Rin beach!
  ;Koh Phangan is the party island in Thailand, it is better known for hosting the full moon party held every month but there are also other parties on this island, I am notably talking about the Shiva moon, Black moon, Half moon party, Jungle experience; etc. I could go on!
From my experience, I have been to 3 full moon parties in Thailand, those of February, March and August 2011! I can tell you it is an experience not to be missed!
I will give you the dates for 2012/2013:
  ;FULL MOON PARTY THAILAND 2012
My experience
I went once, in “experience to live” mode. The next day, the beach looked like a battlefield: plastic buckets, bottles, fluorescent paint sticking to the skin. To do once to understand, never twice.
Did you know?
The Full Moon Party generates more than 5 million euros per night in Koh Phangan. The municipality had to introduce a ticket system in 2019 to limit access and finance the cleaning of the beach the next day.
Sunday January 8 / Tuesday February 7 Thursday March 8 / Friday April 6 Saturday May 5 / Tuesday June 5 Tuesday July 3 / Saturday August 4 Saturday September 1 / Sunday September 30 Tuesday October 30 / Wednesday November 28 Tuesday December 25 / Friday December 28 / Monday December 31
The 25th and 31st are to celebrate Christmas and New Year!   ;FULL MOON PARTY THAILAND 2013:
Advantages
- Unique atmosphere in the world
- Cheap party
- White sandy beach
- Varied music (techno, hip-hop, reggae)
- International encounters
Disadvantages
- Very crowded
- Beach very dirty after the party
- Frequent risk of theft
- Drugs circulate (to avoid)
- Scooter accidents on the way back
Sunday January 27 / Monday February 25 Wednesday March 27 / Thursday April 25 Saturday May 25 / Sunday June 23 Monday July 22 / Wednesday August 21 Thursday September 19 / Saturday October 19 Sunday November 17 / Tuesday December 17 Wednesday December 25 / Tuesday December 31
The 25th and 31st are to celebrate Christmas and New Year!
The classic trap to avoid
Do not stay in Haad Rin if you want to sleep the next day: the noise continues until 10 am. Instead, stay in Baan Tai or Thong Sala, and take a taxi-boat (200 baht) for the evening.
The FULL MOON PARTY in Thailand :
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Haad Rin Nok, Koh Phangan |
| Frequency | Every full moon |
| Entry | ~150 baht (4€) |
| Alcohol bucket | 200-300 baht (5-8€) |
| Duration | 9 pm – 8 am |
- More than 10,000 up to 30,000 people (travelers) during peak months on a beach partying.
- A wild atmosphere with plenty of alcohol.
- Young foreigners from all over the world.
- People wearing tank tops, shorts, and fluorescent hats in the colors of the full moon party.
- People with fluorescent paint all over their bodies.
- Several dozen bars with music and several dozen small stands selling alcohol buckets all along the beach.
- Several dozen stands for tattoos, food sales all along the beach.
- A party that starts very early and ends the next day early afternoon for the most courageous!
- Unforgettable encounters and anecdotes, etc.
Tips for the full moon party!
If you are preparing your departure, take a look at our guide on the island of the which complements the topic well. The feedback around best-of 10 best also provides useful benchmarks to avoid unpleasant surprises. And for further inspiration, the article on faq on is worth a detour.
- You will inevitably lose your friends during the evening, so plan a meeting point.
- Avoid carrying valuables on you!
- Wear flip-flops and keep an eye on them if you take them off because they get lost very quickly; I myself lost 2 pairs. Be careful where you walk as accidents can happen quickly with broken glass.
- Be open to people!
- Arrive 5 days before the party if you want a well-located spot on Haad Rin beach, otherwise book but it costs more!
After FMP:
When is the next Full Moon Party?
Every full moon. Official calendar on fullmoonpartythailand.com.
How to get to the Full Moon Party?
Flight Bangkok-Koh Samui, then ferry to Koh Phangan (30 min). Stay in Haad Rin if you want to walk to the party.
Is it dangerous?
Frequent thefts (leave passport in safe), avoid drugs, scooter accidents on the way out. Overall safety is OK if you stay vigilant.
- Avoid going to Koh Tao in the days following the Full Moon Party because everyone goes there and you might be frustrated looking for a hotel or go early. January, February, and August are the months of heavy crowds !
- Book your boat in advance to leave the island !
- A video is available and was filmed during the FMP !
