Attending a Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan

Inspired by The Beach, thousands of young backpackers flock to Koh Phangan every year for its infamous full moon parties. Southeast Asia has always been a popular destination with the one-bag crowd, a culture that helped develop the full moon scene.

Legend has it a group of backpackers celebrated a friend’s birthday on one of the beaches, returning every year until word spread. Now the parties are year-round, reaching EDC-level proportions without the high price tag. While they’re not commercialized like your typical American music festival, full moon parties shouldn’t be characterized as authentic either. These events are explicitly for tourists and have little to do with Thai culture, and that’s perfectly okay. Full moon parties are supposed to be a brief respite from the real world, filled with hedonism and fun.

The best time to come to Koh Phangan is right after the rainy season from November to January. April through July can be hot and humid, so plan your trip around spring to early summer. Finding a place to stay can be difficult during peak season, so try to arrive on the island four to five days ahead of the full moon, or you’ll be paying for a dirty hostel priced as high as a luxury hotel.

If you’re planning a trip to Southeast Asia, follow these tips to make sure you have a safe and fun time:

• Drinking: Had Riin Beach is famous for its buckets, which contain ice, whiskey and Red Bull. The Red Bull in Asia contains the stimulant ephedra, so be careful not to overindulge. To save money, buy your alcohol from a 7-11 away from the beach.
• Food: Meals will be cheap, but again, overpriced on the beach. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes away from the coast, many of which offer Western fare.
• Fire: Lots of people wind up burning themselves with the jump ropes lit on fire. Most of the time it’s because a drunk person messes up the rhythm, so be careful if you want to try.
• Water: Just because there’s a beach doesn’t mean you should swim in it. The floor is filled with rocks and coral, so don’t go in barefoot, or better yet, do not go in at all. By the time it’s night, everyone’s drunk and using it as a bathroom.
• Crime: Theft and assault has been on the rise, so be sure lock your valuables and stay with your group. Thailand is also strict when it comes to drugs and locals have no qualms about ratting people out for some cash, so party safely.