Should you add the full moon party to your South Thailand bucket list? Is it worth the hype? Keep reading to decide and find out everything you need to know about one of the world’s most famous parties…

what is the full moon party?

The renowned ‘Full Moon Party’ is a huge festival-like party on Haadrin Beach in Koh Phangan, where people from all over the world flock to drink, sing and dance till dawn! As you walk along the beach you will find numerous bars, all with different music, so you won’t ever get bored! As well as people high on life, you’ll also find yourself amongst fire shows, food stalls, cocktail buckets and glow paint. It’s a party backpackers’ dream! And something you should definitely tick off the bucket list if you’re in Thailand!

You can check the dates of the Full Moon Parties for this year below

where is the full moon party?

The full moon party is held on Koh Phangan, one of the islands in the southwest of Thailand. The exact location of the party is Haadrin Beach, which is on the southeast of the island.

how do you get to Koh Phangan?

You will first need to get to Koh Samui, and then get the ferry from there. The ferries cost around £7 and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on what ferry you book. I recommend booking your tickets on 12 Go Asia, and at least 1 day before to make sure you don’t miss a space, especially if you are travelling during peak season.

why is the full moon party different to other parties?

Leading up to the full moon party, you will find that there are parties every night, and they are great! But they are pretty much all techno. If you love techno, you’re in for a treat, but after 5 or so nights of it, you might want a break! The full moon party however has it ALL. From techno to bangers to classics, and with different music at each bar, you can’t get bored, this is why I loved it so much.

TIP: Don’t miss out on ‘Eden After party’. Head there about 3am after the jungle party that usually takes place the night before the Full Moon Party.

Things to know before going to the full moon party

• Many hostels require you to stay a minimum number of nights, sometimes 5. They also sometimes bump the prices up so be prepared to budget for that.

• The Party is on the southeast side of the island, but don’t worry too much about staying in that area, as other than the party, there’s not much else in this area. Stay on the south or west part of the island. (for more info on Koh Phangan, see my blog post here) https://georgialtravels.co.uk/koh-phangan/

• Book your accommodation in good time. Especially if you’re travelling in peak season, hostels get booked up fast and you don’t want to be left with dumpy accommodation when you’re going to be there for at least a few days! I would recommend 1-2 weeks before if you can.

• THE PAINT. It doesn’t stain but it is a bugger to get out of clothes! So if you’re planning on travelling for a while after the party, I’d wear something you don’t mind getting paint on. Or buy one of the stunning neon tank tops from the shops 😉

• Drink spiking does happen, like anywhere. So be careful and don’t drink out of other people’s cocktail buckets as these are much easier to be tampered with – have bottled beer if you can. But don’t let being stressed about it ruin your night! Most people are fine.

Hostel recommendation

Puks Palace: This place has just the right balance between party and chill vibes. It’s also right on the beach and the people who work there are lovely and so fun!

I hope you now have a better idea of what to expect from the Full Moon Party and feel more prepared! If you still have questions, feel free to contact me by email, [email protected] or instagram at @georgialtravels

Happy Partying!