Full Moon Party
At a Glance
The Full Moon Party is one of the world's most famous beach parties, drawing 10,000 to 30,000 revellers each month to the southern tip of Koh Phangan. Starting at sunset and running until well past dawn, the event takes over the entire stretch of Haad Rin Nok beach with dozens of competing sound stages, fire shows, bucket cocktails, and neon body paint — a hedonistic, music-driven spectacle that has defined backpacker culture in Southeast Asia since the late 1980s.
Beyond the main party, the Full Moon Party has spawned Half Moon Parties, Jungle Parties, and Shiva Moon parties that run in the weeks around the main event, making Koh Phangan a near-constant party destination for a certain type of traveller. The island also has a quieter side — serene beaches, waterfalls, yoga retreats, and the beautiful Ang Thong Marine National Park are all close by — making it possible to combine a party visit with more relaxed island time.
Highlights
- 30,000-person beach party stretching the entire length of Haad Rin Nok with multiple music stages
- Fire shows, fire skipping ropes, and fire dancers throughout the night
- Neon and UV paint stations, fancy dress, and bucket cocktail bars
- Related events: Half Moon Festival (twice monthly) and Jungle Experience parties
Practical Tips
- Wear shoes — the beach is littered with broken glass by the early hours; flip-flops are inadequate.
- Keep your valuables to an absolute minimum; pickpocketing and theft are common in the crowds.
- Travel insurance note: many policies exclude injuries sustained while intoxicated — read the fine print.
Best Destinations
Koh Phangan
The Full Moon Party is island-specific; Haad Rin is the venue and the rest of the island offers recovery options.
Koh Samui
Many visitors base themselves on Koh Samui and take the boat to Koh Phangan for the party, returning the same night.
Koh Tao
Koh Tao also celebrates Full Moon with smaller parties and is convenient for those island-hopping in the Gulf of Thailand.