Ultimate Guide to Koh Phangan Full Moon Party, Thailand

Yes, the FMP sounds like some pagan gathering under a full moon on a tropical island. Fire and body paint are a part of the experience, adding to the exotic appeal.

The Full Moon Party began as a small gathering of friends in the 1980s but unexpectedly grew into one of the largest and most notorious parties on the planet. Now, more than 30,000 attendees, some wearing little more than body paint, hit the beach in Haad Rin to share sweat and bucket drinks with people from all over the world.

Don't expect to sleep! The party doesn't peak until sunrise and eventually tapers off late the next afternoon, leaving a scene of carnage and trash behind on the beach. Many revelers literally sleep where they fall, still clutching their buckets.

Critics call the Full Moon Party scene a done deal, claiming that the party has turned too commercialized since its meager origins in 1985. Regardless, experiencing one of Thailand's Full Moon Parties in all of their chaotic, primal glory under a hot moon is considered a rite of passage for backpackers on Southeast Asia's Banana Pancake Trail.

The beach will be packed with people from all over the world, fire dancers, drink bucket stands, dance stages, DJ’s…you name it!

All along the beach, there are vendor stands selling these little plastic buckets (the kind kids normally build sandcastles with) made into giant cocktails with about five straws in them to share! They are about 350 baht, or around USD $11 each. Do not attempt one of these alone… it is a teamwork sort of drink!

That said, it can be kind of difficult to track how much alcohol you have had if you are sharing - so pace yourself.

In addition to all the festivities, there will be giant jump ropes lit on fire that five people could jump over at the same time, twirling fireballs on ropes, and people spinning fire poles. Having seen multiple people with bandages from burns on their feet, legs, and arms, I spared myself the exciting experience.

Most folks start heading to the beach around 9 pm or so, and the crowd peaks from midnight until about 2 am. Yes, it is a late night…or morning. 

Definitely don’t expect to get any sleep as the party doesn’t taper off until between sunrise and the next afternoon. Yes, really! Some partiers choose to take a nap on the beach, while others dance the night away.

It is a lot. It is long. But it is fun!

If it weren’t, the party wouldn’t have become as popular as it has. You will find all kinds of music, so whether you’re into house, rock, or reggae—there’s something for everyone.

As with many party atmospheres, you are likely to come across folks partaking in illegal substances. Be mindful that drugs are illegal in Thailand and the fines are hefty!

The below video will give you more idea of what to expect at the Full Moon Party.

Thailand’s Full Moon Party is located in the gulf of Thailand on the notorious party island of Koh Phangan.  Koh Phangan is located just 12km north from the tourist hotspot of Koh Samui and 45km from the popular diving paradise of Koh Tao.

The actual event of the Fullmoon Party is located in a small town called Haad Rin located on the southernmost tip of Koh Phangan Thailand.

The town of Haad Rin is divided into two parts.

• Haad Rin Nok (Sunrise Beach – Which is responsible for the islands wild party reputation as well as the location of the Full Moon Party.
• Haad Rin Noi (Sunset Beach) – Which is known as the tamer and more relaxed part of Haad Rin.

From Koh Phangan

If you are already on Koh Phangan, it is very easy to come to the Full Moon Party. On the main road from Thong Sala to Haad Rin, taxis (so-called “Songthaews”) go almost every minute to Haad Rin and back. A ride here basically costs 100 baht per direction and the price is not negotiable.

Songthaews also go from other parts of the island, but less often and at a higher price. If you live outside of the main areas, almost every accommodation on Koh Phangan offers a transport to the Full Moon Party. This is a very safe variant that we basically can recommend.

We generally advise against traveling by yourself with the scooter, unless you are not drinking alcohol and you are an experienced scooter driver. Otherwise, just leave your scooter for safety reasons and take the taxi. It should also be noted that many areas in Haad Rin are closed and it is not easy to find a parking space if you don’t know about the location.

From Koh Samui

In the end, there are just two ways you can travel from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan to the Full Moon Party. Either on your own with one of the daily ferries – from Maenam with Lomprayah, Bangrak with Seatran, Big Buddha Pier with the Haad Rin Queen – or an organized speedboat tour.

It is cheaper if you’re traveling to Koh Phangan with one of the ferries yourself and if you do not have accommodation on Koh Phangan, just get back to Koh Samui around 7 A.M. Here you will pay about 600 baht for a round trip plus 200 baht taxi ride (round trip) to Haad Rin Beach, where the Full Moon Party takes place on Koh Phangan.

However, the organized speedboat service is much more convenient. Prices usually start at 2000 baht for a package. It includes pick-up from your hotel on Koh Samui, the speed boat ride to Haad Rin, and the entire tour back. Speedboats return to Koh Samui every hour and you don’t have to wait until 7 A.M.

Tip: Here you can also conveniently book the transport to the Full Moon Party in advance. This way you don’t need to worry anymore. Only the entrance of 100 baht to the Full Moon Party you will have to pay extra.

From Bangkok

There are many different ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Phangan: by train, bus, flight. Which you choose, of course, depends on your budget and your time.

The fastest option is undoubtedly the flight. You can fly from Bangkok either directly to Koh Samui or to Surat Thani on the mainland. The flight to Koh Samui is usually very expensive, but from time to time there are great deals. Things are much cheaper from Bangkok to Surat Thani with AirAsia. You can check out cheap flights on Skyscanner. By the way, another option would be to fly to Nakhon Si Thammarat – but we don’t want to go into that here.

From Surat Thani you will only have a bus ride and a boat trip ahead of you. Also with the boats there are many possibilities. We almost always take Lomprayah, because it’s simply the fastest way. Tickets can be bought directly in the arrival hall at Surat Thani Airport.

There are also bus and train connections from Bangkok to the south of Thailand. The Bangkok – Surat Thani train is very popular and a great experience if you are not in a hurry. This is also a very cheap option. The best way to check the connections from Bangkok is on 12go.asia.

Although the beach and sand are better at Sunrise Beach, don't expect to get much sleep if you stay nearby. The noise continues all night and through the next morning! Even the buildup to the night of the party is loud and rowdy.

If you decide to stay on Koh Phangan and right next to the party (Haad Rin Beach), you’ll need to come here at least FOUR days before the party in order to find a cheap (and nice) place to stay. The closer you get to the actual night of the party, the more you’ll need a miracle to find something — at any price range.

There are travelers who just show up the day of or the night before and think they will find a place. They never do. You will see them wander up and down the street many times in fruitless attempts to find something.

Don’t be those people. Come early, get a room, enjoy the party, and say no to stress.

How much does a room cost?

Here’s what you can expect to pay for your bed per night ($1 USD = 32 THB):

• Dorm room: 200 THB (will triple during the high season)
• Regular room with A/C and hot water: 600–800 THB
• Really nice room: 1,500-2,000 THB
• Basic bungalow: 950 THB
• Really nice bungalow: 2,000–4,000 THB

The closer you get to the full moon, the more the prices go up. The day of or the day before the party, any accommodation left is going to be double the price listed. And, if you come here for New Year’s, you can expect the price to triple, with many places also including an expensive, mandatory holiday dinner. (Just another way to get more money from you!)

To help you make the most out of the party, here are our suggested places to stay:

• The Sanctuary – The Sanctuary is a Ko Phangan institution, and guests come from all over the world specifically for its yoga and detox programs. It’s a place for you to rebalance and attend to your well-being. Even if you don’t want to do a detox, you can still rent a room or bed here and enjoy the secluded beach and view. Beds from 350 THB, cheap private bungalows from 950 THB.
• Goodtime Beach Backpackers – If you’re looking for a lively hostel with tons of social activities going on, stay here. This is the quintessential “hostel” – with pub crawls, beach volleyball, a swimming pool, a huge bar/lounge area, and events almost every night. Beds from 350 THB, rooms from 800 THB; treehouse room from 1,800 THB in a tree right on the beach.
• Na-Tub Hostel – This is a funky motel-like hostel that’s constructed out of shipping containers. Since it just opened in 2018, everything is new and clean. The major draw is the central swimming pool. Beds from 300 THB, rooms from 1,800 THB.

Some people opt to stay on nearby Koh Tao or on Koh Samui and then take a boat over on the night of the party. Budget travelers often share rooms with people they just met. Some sleep on floors, balconies, the beach, or not at all!

Should you book your room online in advance?

I wouldn’t recommend it, unless going there for New Year’s or you can’t get there early. The accommodation you’ll find online will be the most expensive and require long minimum stays (sometimes as many as 10 nights). There are a lot of accommodation options in Haat Rin, and most aren’t on online booking services like Agoda.

A good alternative to Haat Rin is Ban Tai beach. It’s the beach over from Haat Rin and is where a lot of people stay when rooms start to fill up. It’s a short and inexpensive taxi from Haat Rin. If you stay on the northern part of the island, you’ll be very, very far away from the party. Though boat taxis and normal taxis run frequently, they are expensive.

Attention: The party can change its date in case of falling into a Buddhist holiday. There are four religious holy days (holidays!) which fall exactly on full moon day. In these dates, it is forbidden consuming alcohol in the whole country and for this reason (as well as respecting the Buddhist tradition) the party committee postpone the party for the next day. Check out the Full Moon Party official website to organize yourself.

Most of the party-goers will change into the traditional, neon, Full Moon Party attire complete with fanny packs. 

Lots of folks rock swimsuits under their gear and oftentimes the swimsuit is all that’s left by the end of the night. This is definitely not the place to wear clothes you love and don’t want to see ruined or lost.

Once in Haad Rin, you can deck yourself out and begin the artistic ritual of covering yourself in neon paint. From mustaches to painted vines and all sorts of funky designs, prepare to glow!

Tips:

• There’s really no need to pack anything special for the party. You can get all your FMP swag from street vendors for about USD $10-15.
• Do plan on wearing sneakers, so you are not barefoot on the beach. While there is not really any glass being served, you still want to be careful not to step on anything that would hurt you.

The days before the Full Moon Party are already filled with parties and events, e.g. the Jungle Experience or Waterfall Party. For all current events, visit Phanganist. Every Sunday before the Full Moon Party you can dance to good house music at Loi Lay in Ban Tai.

If you want to stay longer on Koh Phangan, don’t miss the Half Moon Party, too. The tickets cost a bit more, but the atmosphere in the middle of the jungle is really unique.

If you want to pre-party in Haad Rin in a happy atmosphere with cheap drinks, then check out the Jaya Hostel. It is located in the center of Haad Rin near the lake. There, on the evening of the Full Moon Party, a pre-party will take place where you can also paint yourself and meet other party people. In addition, the drinks cost comparatively little there.

Here is a small cost estimate for the Full Moon Party, so you have some idea of what to expect.

• Taxi from Thong Sala to Full Moon Party: 100 baht
• Simple Thai food in a restaurant in Haad Rin: 50 baht
• Admission fee for the Full Moon Party: 100 baht
• Neon painting: from 50 baht (more depending on size)
• Neon Full Moon Party shirt or tank top: 150-250 baht
• Bucket: between 150 and 600 baht (depending on the type of alcohol and brand, the cheaper buckets include local Thai liquor and the more expensive imported brand name liquor, but reputable bucket sellers will tell you that directly.)
• A bottle of beer (small/large) on the beach: 80 baht/100 baht
• Toilet usage: 5-20 baht

Full Moon Party dates are adjusted around Buddhist holidays which often coincide with the full moon. Don't assume the party is on the actual night of the full moon; it may be a day or two before or after.

Koh Phangan is awash with "mafias". Fixed, inflated prices for transportation, particularly longtail taxi boats, is unfortunately inescapable.

Some enterprising locals have blocked the main access paths to the beach so they can charge an entrance fee. You're basically asked to buy an overpriced bracelet that serves as your "ticket". Paying this unofficial entrance fee is up to you. You'll can find many paths to the beach. Some travelers want the convenience of using the main paths and are happy to wear the bracelet as a keepsake for months afterward.

The Danish-run Same-Same Guesthouse near the beach is a popular place for epic warm-up parties and free body paint before the Full Moon Party. If you're a solo traveler, this is the place to meet a fun group for some backup while at the party.

The Full Moon Party in Thailand can be a fun experience and perfectly safe assuming you follow some basic common sense. Don't get the wrong impression or believe all that you've heard: The FMP is generally a good-natured event. That said, putting tens of thousands of intoxicated people into one place is obviously bound to generate some bad situations.

Sadly, the Full Moon Parties claim a few lives every year. Most fatalities are due to drownings and drug overdoses. The moon affects tides and creates strong currents; don't swim while intoxicated!

The dark side of the Full Moon Party can be seen by visiting one of the clinics in Haad Rin around 2 a.m. There will probably be a queue of casualties. Clinics become backlogged with revelers with broken bones who climbed or jumped off of the temporary structures. Others drank too much or mixed alcohol and prescription pills.

Serious burns are common. The fire jump rope is a popular attraction during the party, and inevitably a few people end up with nasty burns when it wraps around their legs.

More safety tips: Dos and Don’ts

• Go to the beach only with solid shoes or at least flip flops, as there may be broken glass or sharp objects in the sand.

• Hide your valuables (credit card, mobile phone, camera, etc.) well or leave them best in the hotel safe. There are also a few pickpockets in the crowds. Besides, it can easily happen that you lose something. Even if you are not drunk. A money pouch or another secure bag is very helpful.

• Don’t take drugs, even though they are likely to be offered to you often. The sentences in Thailand are a lot higher than in Europe etc. and you can very easily end up in jail.

• Don’t drive your own scooter to the party, but rather take a taxi. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are unfortunately many accidents happening during full moon.

• Make sure you buy closed beer bottles or high percentage alcohol that is opened for you (sealed lids). Basically, the bucket sellers do offer proper alcohol, but there are always some black sheep.

• Be sure to drink enough water in between. After all, you should still be able to control yourself and know what you are doing. It also protects you from dehydration.

• Never fight with local Thais, but also Burmese (of course also not with other tourists). Just stay cool. This can quickly lead to a big brawl in the crowd and thus hurt innocent people around.

• Don’t do fire rope jumping etc. You can burn yourself quickly, especially if you have been drinking and your coordination skills are poor. You certainly don’t want to spend the next day at the doctor’s or in the hospital.

Drugs of all kinds are easily available. All are illegal in Thailand and will result in serious jail time if you are caught. Plain-clothed policemen are rumored to patrol the party. They partner with people who sell drugs to travelers.

Some bars openly sell shakes made from magic mushrooms. Nefarious individuals offer pills for sale at the entrances to the beach. You obviously should not accept a mystery pill from anyone, regardless of the source or claims. Even the island pharmacies sell fake and untrustworthy prescription medications to travelers who are willing to pay.

Remember that there are many people paying thousands of dollars to avoiding ending up in jail! So, take care!

A major criticism of the Full Moon Party is of course the garbage and the dirt. That the people pee directly into the sea is true. The garbage thing is not quite right. It is true that the beach is littered after the party. BUT: Shortly after sunrise, the resident resorts start cleaning their beach section. The bucket sellers also do their part and clear away their own garbage. That the beach is totally littered days after the party, as it is often told, is not true! The Haad Rin Nok Beach often looks the same as it did before, just the afternoon after the Full Moon Party.

If you are still not tired after the Full Moon Party, when the sun rises again on Haad Rin, then you can visit the Backyard Full Moon After Party at Moon Paradise. The event starts at 7 A.M., right after the Full Moon Party.

What if your itinerary doesn’t include Koh Phangan or your dates don’t coincide with the full moon? Or, if the intense debauchery of the FMP just doesn’t appeal to you? Fret not, for here are five fantastic alternatives for fun-filled nights of dancing, drinking, and cavorting.

Check out 16 Koh Phangan Parties & Nightlife Spots that you cannot miss

Half Moon Parties, Koh Phangan

Swap the beach for the jungle and party all night long at a Half Moon Party, another of Koh Phangnan’s open-air lunar events. The Half Moon Parties take place every two weeks, falling one week before and one week after the Full Moon Party.

More akin to an organised music festival than a drink- and drug-fuelled mess, thousands of people come every fortnight to dance to the awesome beats and sink some buckets. Neon body paint is still very much on the agenda too. If you feel peckish head to one of the food stalls to refuel before bumping and grinding to the DJ’s tunes.

Check out the detailed guide on Koh Phangan Half Moon Party

Waterfall Parties, Koh Phangan

Another Koh Phangnan party in the jungle, the Waterfall Party is one of the biggest techno raves in all of Asia. Electronic beats thump from the gigantic sound system and the international DJs know how to get the crowd moving. Fire performers, acrobats, and other entertainers provide plenty of visual stimulation.

The lights also bounce off the gorgeous waterfall and rock pools near the main dance floor, and the surrounding rock formations take on an almost other-worldly appearance in the dim light. Held each month for two days before and two days after the Full Moon Party, it’s a great alternative if you want to attend a more techno-focused and less boozy all-nighter.

It’s also great if you just want to keep the party going for longer!

Black Moon Parties, Koh Phangan

The lesser-known and more chilled-out of Koh Phangnan’s moon-centred beach events, the Black Moon Parties (officially known as Black Moon Culture) take place on Baan Tai beach. You’ll still feel right at home daubed in neon paint and waving glow sticks, but the overall vibe is a lot more peaceful and mellow.

Florescent artwork and psychedelic designs cover the DJ stage, and the hippie vibe is strong. The hypnotic sounds of psychedelic trance fill the air and the thousand-strong crowd dances and chills on the sands.

Check out the detailed guide on Koh Phangan Black Moon Party

Patong Beach and Bangla Road, Phuket

If you’re skipping Koh Phangnan altogether and spending your beach time along the Andaman Coast, every night is party night along Phuket’s Bangla Road. Close to Patong Beach, the drinking and dancing may not actually take place right on the beach, but it’s just a short saunter to dip your feet in the sea and feel the sand between your toes.

Bangla Road is frenzied, with revellers making their way from bar to bar, gawkers taking in the sights, bar girls fishing for punters, and people trying to sell everything from cheap shots and club admission to tacky bracelets and tickets to ping pong shows.

Keep it cheap and grab a bucket from a street vendor or a cold beer from a convenience store, or pay the premium prices for a drink in front of a pole-dancing stage. Whether you’re into drinking, dancing, flirting, or hooking up, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.

Walking Street, Pattaya

Just a few hours from Bangkok (itself home to a great night scene) and located along the Thai Gulf, Pattaya may not boast Thailand’s best beaches but it can lay claim to some of the nation’s naughtiest nightlife. Another place where the parties take place on all nights of the week, Walking Street proudly labels itself as Thailand’s Sin City.

Attracting a diverse range of people, there’s a bar or club for everyone; couples can have as much fun here as groups of young friends and solo travellers looking for some adult nighttime entertainment. Ping pong shows, pole dancing, prostitutes, and coyote dancers are part and parcel of the Walking Street night scene, though you’ll also find chilled-out joints with mellow music, pool tables, and pub grub.

***********

It’s worth keeping in mind that islands such as Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Phi Phi have jumped on the FMP train too, offering smaller and more laid-back beach parties for the full moon if you really want to channel your inner werewolf and frolic in the moonlight but don’t quite fancy the chaos on Koh Phangan.

Q. Where is the Full Moon Party in Thailand 2021?

A. The actual event of the Full Moon Party in Thailand 2021 is organized in a small town known as Haad Rin. The village is located in the southernmost tip of Koh Phangan.

Q. Where is the best Full Moon Party in Thailand?

A. The actual beach party is located on Haad Rin beach situated on Koh Pha Ngan Island. Travelers can reach the place from Bangkok by taking a short flight to Koh Samui and later take a short ferry ride to Koh Pha Ngan island. For a budget-friendly trip, one can go for overnight boats and buses available through travel agents in Bangkok.

Q. What to wear at a full moon party in Thailand?

A. People generally wear casual and short clothes on a full moon party. Girls generally wear bikini bottoms of mini skirts and bright colored tops. The relevance of showing one’s skin is that in a full moon party there are many artists around who paint traveler’s body the way they want to get painted.

Q. What time does the full moon party end?

A. The party starts quite early in the evening but the best time to visit the party is between 9 to 10 pm and goes on till early morning. Neon lights are a tradition of the party and one can see bodies painted in neon lights glowing in the dark and spectacular fireworks at night.

Q. Is there an Entrance Fee for the full moon party?

A. Yes, travelers are required to pay an entrance fee of approximately 100 bahts to enter the party.

Q. How many people go to the Full Moon Party?

A. The full moon party is arranged along the crescent-shaped beach in Thailand and since then the party has gained huge popularity. Today approximately 10,000 to 30, 000 people attend the party from all across the world.