The Full Moon Party in Thailand is one of the biggest beach parties hosted around the world. A place where every individual’s inner party animal and curiosity come alive. What began as a small gathering of backpackers throwing a birthday party under the full moon in the mid-1980s has evolved into an iconic, world-renowned party experience. Every month during the full moon, ten to thirty thousand visitors, harnessing their werewolf energy, gather around the renowned Haad Rin Beach in Koh Phangan to dance till dawn. It began as a low-key event but quickly gained momentum, becoming the talk of the town and gradually drawing attention to its unmatched energy and vibrant backdrop. The Koh Phangan Full Moon Party presently occupies the leading position on the bucket list of many travelers.
Apart from hosting ordinary activities that every party throws, what makes the full moon party in Thailand different from the crowd is fire rope jumping. Four performers and a long flaming skipping rope, but one life. Risky as it is, this particular show makes everyone hold their breath. The beach features body art stations and UV paint to paint the crowd like living canvases creating a stunning display of glowing designs that comes to life as the sun sets. Guests dance the night away to all types of tunes and participate in various beach games like volleyball, tug-of-war, sandcastle-building contests, frisbee, beach soccer, etc. bringing anticipation and excitement to the event.
The party clock here works on FMP (full moon party) standard time, from Sunset to sunrise, from 7 pm to 5 am, and longer until the first light. People who frequently indulge in parties know that the climax happens a little later than the entry time. For the same reason, the majority of the guests arrive around 9 pm to witness the fire show.
The best month to visit the party island is April. Apart from the warm weather, which makes the beach activities even more entertaining and enjoyable, The Thai New Year or Songkran, takes place in mid-April which coincides with the full moon party adding an extra layer of excitement, celebrations, and festivities in the air. The Thailand packages from India are designed to cover all aspects of your journey ensuring a holistic travel experience. There’s no better time to visit Thailand than April.
Koh Phangan lacks an airport, so visitors travel via various transportation, including flights, ferries, planes, and buses.
It is recommended to wrap up your bookings as soon as possible to prevent last-minute reservation hassles.
Places around the island during party season are difficult to book due to the large volume of people flying in from various destinations. Ordinarily, dormitory beds range from 350–500 Baht (INR 850–1,300) per night, but on days leading up to the party, even basic dormitory beds can be priced at over 1,400 Baht (INR 3,400) per night. Budget bungalows will set you back around 700–1,400 Baht (INR 1,700–3,400), but if you're feeling a little fancy or, as we like to say, on a little higher end of the stick, mid-range hotels typically range from 1,750–3,500 Baht (INR 4,300–8,800).
The signature drink of the Full Moon Party consists of a drink bucket containing a strong local energy drink, a small bottle of liquor, soda, and to top it all off, ice. The bucket makes its way through the buzzing crowd, with everyone taking a sip, or maybe a little more before passing it along. It may sound big but the bucket prices won’t break the bank, ranging from 250–500 Baht (INR 650–1,200) to keep the party going. The beach is lined up with several food stalls offering local and international cuisine to fuel up everyone’s mood and energy. These tented food hubs serve popular dishes including pad thai, grilled seafood, and fresh fruits for as little as 70–180 Baht. (INR 180-430). As you move up the food chain, restaurants may charge around 340–500 Baht (INR 900–1,300) for a meal.
At a party where UV paint, body art stations, and wild energy take over, it is suggested to show up in comfortable beachwear like shorts, tank tops, and flip-flops (your expensive things won’t see the light of day—unless you want them to become modern art). It is advised to carry a fanny pack, also referred to as a hip bag or bum bag, to secure your keys, phone, and other important items (because no one wants to spend the night searching for their wallet on the dance floor).
The tickets are sold in the market starting at 200 Baht (INR 500) or more depending on the demand because nothing says "exclusive" like a price tag that changes faster than your dance moves. One thing to scribble on your hand is that these tickets are not sold in advance or online, you can only grab them on the night of the event. These golden tickets are sold in the main alleys that lead to the beach area. The only thing harder to find than a quiet spot at this party is a ticket in advance unless you book a tour package that includes it.
Other than the elephant in the room (the full moon), what truly makes Thailand's Full Moon Party special is its electrifying atmosphere. Partygoers from every corner of the world, a sea of people glowing under the moonlight, the iconic bucket drinks, fire, and laser shows, and the sole motive of dancing the night away bring people closer to an unforgettable night of pure euphoria.
Book your international tour package with Pickyourtrail to set foot in places where the night feels endless and the memories last forever.