Before my very first visit to Thailand I had heard of the Full Moon party. I had planned to go to the NYE 2015 Full moon party on my first visit, and to be honest the night was a disaster! My second time at the NYE 2018 Full moon party was brilliant! I learned from my first visit and want to pass on what I now know. The full moon party is wild, so this guide will be some insight for you to make sure you have the best time possible!
The full moon party is visited each month, by up to 30,000 visitors. So you can imagine how crowded it gets! Bars line the whole way up the beach with DJ’s at most of them.
Stalls line up all over the place, selling drinks and ‘buckets’. People get their faces and bodies painted in glow in the dark neon painting. And there is fire EVERYWHERE. People dancing with fire, people rope jumping with a rope on fire! And let’s not forget one of the biggest firework displays ever!
Where is the full moon party?
The full moon party is located in the island of Koh Phangan, which is down in Southern Thailand. It’s neighbouring islands are Koh Samui and Koh Tao. The actual party itself is in the area of Haad Rin, in Koh Phangan.
This is where Haad Ran is located in Koh Phangan. Which is where the full moon party is held
This is where the island of Koh Phangan is located. Those small islands off the coast of Surat Thani
How to get to the full moon party in Koh Phangan, Thailand?
There are a number of ways to get to Koh Phangan for the full moon party. The best way will depend on your time limit, budget and starting point. See a full list of ways to travel belo
A quick way to get to the islands is to fly to Koh Samui, and then get the boat over to Koh Phangan.
Another way to get to Koh Phangan, is to experience the sleeper train. You can read my full blog post on the Thailand sleeper train here
You can also travel to Koh Phangan by the sleeper bus. A budget friendly option, and also comfortable! You can book your bus by clicking the button below.
You will have to get a boat to Koh Phangan, no matter which way you decide to travel. Usually if you book via train or bus using an agency you can buy everything as a package. And it will include your transfers and boat ticket to the island.
When is the full moon party, Koh Phangan?
Although the clue is in the name, we don’t all just know when the full moon is!
Usually the full moon party lands on the night of the full moon, the night before, or the night after. Check the schedule for this year here
Safety at the full moon party, Koh Phangan, Thailand
Be careful of all of the fire that is around! Especially where the big fire sign is that says ‘full moon party’ if you are close during NYE I would pick somewhere else to stand. The fire sparks that come off of that will BURN you really bad. It’s best to stay back quite a bit from the immediate firework display to avoid any injury. This happened to me and my friend the first time around. None of us expected to get burnt and everyone just started trying to run away, which resulted in me and my friend getting pushed over and stamped on. If it wasn’t for some lads picking me up, who know’s how I would have gotten out of that stampede. So take my advice and stay clear from the fire.
No judgement here, but if you plan on taking any drugs, whatever it may be, do NOT buy anything from the locals. Never buy drugs in general from anyone that’s local (not always the case I know, but especially here at the full moon party). The Thai people work with the police to get you arrested, and therefore get a big cash fine out of you, and then the police split the money with the Thai drug dealers. The safest way is to buy from other backpackers in your hostel, or ask around the other backpackers. There’s always someone in a hostel, or around other hostels that can help you with that side of things. Just to declare I do not recommend taking anything, but I’d rather pre advise you of how things work out there before you go. You’re old enough to make decisions for yourself. Regardless, stay safe, look out for each other, and take care of yourself! Okay, older sister rant over!
What should I wear and take to the full moon party?
In terms of clothes, just go comfy! I would try and wear trainers, or sandals that actually do up round your feet. Not much glass is served for drinks at the full moon party, but you don’t want to risk getting your feet cut up or hurt if you loose your flip flops.
You can buy full moon party outfits at Haad Rin like these ones. And you can get the full body paint down on the beachI would definitely take some sort of bum bag to carry your things.
Don’t take anything that you really value. I.e expensive sunglasses, or sunglasses you don’t want to lose. I just took my phone, cash and my room key.
Where to stay for the full moon party?
If you are just going for the full moon party, I would stay close to the area of Haad Rin if you can. There are plenty of good hostels around the area to chose from. Try and get booked a few days before you get there, as it gets booked up pretty quick and prices go up too! Don’t worry if you don’t get booked directly in Haad Rin, there is always transport to and from the full moon party, and you can usually get picked up from your hostel.
If you know you will definitely be there for the NYE Full moon party, I would get booked in advance as much as you can, I have seen prices go up to £50 a night for a bunk bed in a hostel for NYE.
Here are some good hostel recommendations:
Wet!
Brilliant party hostel, and right around the corner from Haad Rin Beach, you will be at the full moon party within 5 minutes! They have a swimming pool, own bar, pool table and Restaurant, where you can order local and western food
Om Ganesh
Om Ganesh is perfect for those backpackers looking for something cheap and cheerful whilst they are there for the full moon party. Very cheap bunk beds that are comfortable, and right around the corner from the Full Moon party in Haad Rin. They even throw in a free bucket and body paint for all of their guests that are going to the Full Moon.
Bodega Hostel
Bodega hostel is located along tong Sala beach. They offer spacious private rooms and modern dormitories, as well as a private swimming pool and private beach. They also set up a cinema on the beach with deck chairs and bean bags.
Leo Hostel
Leo hostel, is a really good stay and great on budget! Enjoy a comfy stay and a lot of socialising in a lively atmosphere. They have a pool, snooker table, games and events, a gym, restaurant and you can also rent push bike and motor bikes!
How much are tickets to the full moon party in Koh Phangan, Thailand?
There will be someone sat at a table taking money for entry to the full moon party. It’s 100 TBH and all of the money goes to paying for the beach clean up. No need to pre book tickets, just make sure you have cash, and pay whoever is working at the tables dotted around the streets.
A lot of people always arrive to Koh Phangan a couple of days before, because the parties leading up to the full moon are sometimes better than the main event!
The jungle party is the night before the full moon party and is an absolute must!
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