The Full Moon Party is an all-night beach party
that takes place in Haad
Rin on the island of Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand on
the night of every full moon.
Background
The
party was originally a small affair with a small
number of backpacking travellers dancing through
the night of the full moon, mainly to psychedelic
trance music. Originally, the music was some tapes
coming from Goa'Party (India), and the first Full
Moon Party was improvised at a wooden disco not
far from the beach. The Full Moon Party gained fame
quickly through word of mouth, and the event now
draws a crowd in excess of 10,000 every full moon
evening. The party carries on until the sun rises
the next day. All the bars on the sunset beach of
Haad Rin town stay open and play music such as drum
and bass, house and reggae. The event has become
a part of the itinerary of many travellers to Asia.
Entry to the event is completely free. In recent
years, local entrepreneurs have attempted to expand
upon the event with spinoffs like the Half Moon
Party and Black Moon Party.
Drinking
& dancing
Thai alcohol brands such as Sang Som rum, Mekong
whiskey, and Singha beer are most popular among
travellers. A signature of the Full Moon Party are
the buckets - mixed drinks served in small plastic
pails. A bottle of alcohol (usually Sang Som rum)
is poured over ice and topped up with a can of Coke
and a bottle of Red Bull syrup. Several straws are
then thrown in. The price in 2007 for a bucket was
around 200 baht, roughly ?3/$5.50. On closer inspection
one will find that the majority of the brand name
alcohol bottles such as Smirnoff are unsealed, therefore
it is suspected that it may contain a cheaper alcohol.
One should always check the seals before purchasing
a bucket.
Drugs
In the past there has been some association with
illegal drug use. Although the use, possession,
and/or sale of drugs is illegal under Thai law,
club drugs such as ecstasy, methamphetamine, Yaa
Baa, marijuana, opium, mushrooms and even over the
counter diet pills have been reported. As of 2002,
the Thai government has pursued a stricter defense
against illegal drugs at these events. The standard
bribe for possession is about 50,000 baht (?750/$1200)
and foreigners do go to jail for possession. Drug
use at Full Moon Parties has lessened in recent
years, in part due to greater fear of being caught
but also because the parties now draw attendees
from a wider range of backgrounds.
Background
The
party was originally a small affair with a small
number of backpacking travellers dancing through
the night of the full moon, mainly to psychedelic
trance music. Originally, the music was some tapes
coming from Goa'Party (India), and the first Full
Moon Party was improvised at a wooden disco not
far from the beach. The Full Moon Party gained fame
quickly through word of mouth, and the event now
draws a crowd in excess of 10,000 every full moon
evening. The party carries on until the sun rises
the next day. All the bars on the sunset beach of
Haad Rin town stay open and play music such as drum
and bass, house and reggae. The event has become
a part of the itinerary of many travellers to Asia.
Entry to the event is completely free. In recent
years, local entrepreneurs have attempted to expand
upon the event with spinoffs like the Half Moon
Party and Black Moon Party.
