OK, I think we're finally onto the last part of my Koh Phangan Pre Covid Series. We've spent last week talking about some of the resorts, beaches, food, parties, and daily life. Now it's time for the big event. The Full Moon Party.
Haven't seen the first parts of the series? Each episode of the Pre-Covid series highlights what life was like during my travels before the pandemic.
Want to catch up? Here are links to parts 1-4. Don't miss out on my thrilling adventures!
Koh Phangan Part 1: Bluerama Resort and the Black Moon Party
Koh Phangan Part 2: Beach Life at The Relax Beach Resort
Koh Phangan Part 3: Food in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan Part 4: Daytime in Koh Phangan
The Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan
Don't know what the Full Moon Party is? Have you been living under a rock. Since 1985, Haad Rin Beach in Koh Phangan has hosted a monthly gathering to celebrate, dance, and love life. What started as a small event, grew into a massive, multi-stage one-night festival.
If you've ever watched any travel videos you've probably seen videos of foreigners going wild at the Full Moon Party. Many jaded people will say that the party is overdone and filled with drunks and crappy music.
They're Wrong
OK, they're technically not wrong. Sure there are tons of foreigners blitzed out their minds and acting like f@cking idiots. But that is the same at any festival I've ever been to. These travelers are on holiday and looking for a good time. I was just as bad in Cancun, Florida, Ibiza, and Jamaica back in my days. So who am I to judge. Let the kids dance!
I encourage anyone visiting Koh Phangan during the Full Moon Party to experience the show. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you can share with friends and family forever.
Let's talk about the Full Moon Party
Ok, so the week leading up to the Full Moon Party, there are parties and mini-festivals almost every. You can find house music, psytrance, drum & bass, techno, and Thai-EDM music blasting almost everywhere.
Going through my photos I found this photo from the Waterfall Party. (I honestly don't remember going to this, don't drink too many Changs, kiddies!)
Music is the Answer at The Full Moon Party
You can find a stage with your favorite genre of music playing non-stop for 24 hours during the Full Moon Party. Local and international DJs grace the stages at every bar and nightclub. Several temporary stages are also erected directly on the beach.
Most of the main stages are playing commercial hip hop, EDM, and Thai EDM. I try to avoid those areas.
My favorite places were the geodesic dome playing techno and the beach club at the northernmost area of the beach playing real house music.
Drum & Bass at Sunset Bar and Club
I heard you like drum & bass. Me too. I was mad excited to find out my friend, Jinx, was going to MC at the drum & bass show during the Full Moon Party.
Needless to say, everyone killed it and I danced for hours. After a short break to chill and reminisce it was time to venture to the other stages to see what they had to offer.
Time to Wander the Full Moon Party
After their set, my friends ended up going home. This left me alone to wander and explore the party.
Don't worry if you're a solo traveler. You can enjoy the party alone or find new friends. Everyone I met that night was incredibly friendly. Everyone just wants to dance and have a good time! (of course, look out for the crazy drunk foreigners)
Drinks on the Beach
The drink of choice during the full moon party is a bucket. Buckets are toy sand buckets filled with ice, liquor, and a mixer. They are cheap and can be shared by all your friends. Drinking one by yourself will get you drunk as f@ck so be careful!
Have Fun, Don't Judge, and Just Relax
Listen, I get the Full Moon Party isn't for everyone. But it can be an amazing experience if you just relax. Everyone is there to have fun! There's no judgment and you can dance like no one is watching.
Obviously, be careful, don't drink too much, and be aware of your surroundings. There are always assholes everywhere looking to ruin your trip
I always get the question, Can I get drugs? Yes, of course, you can. That being said, drugs in Thailand aren't really that good.
Tuk-Tuk drivers may sell to you and then point you out to the police. Those mushrooms you just bought would be better on a pizza and that coke is probably meth. All I'm saying is don't be stupid!
If you get caught, you're paying a HUGE fine or going to prison. That being said, do what you want and just be smart and careful.
THERE ARE TRAFFIC STOPS DAYS BEFORE THE PARTY GOING INTO HAAD RIN. BE CAREFUL!
Yes, You Should Go to The Full Moon Party
So did I convince you to go to the Full Moon Party or not? No one knows if there will ever be another Full Moon Party again. Covid is decimating Thailand and it looks like Koh Phangan won't be open for a while. I'm glad I had a chance to experience one of the best parties on the planet.
That's All Folks!
Well, I guess that's it. That's all I have for my pre-covid Koh Phangan series. Thanks to everyone who's been reading, liking, and funding these posts.
Koh Phangan is in my top spots to return to as soon as covid restrictions are lifted, so hopefully, I'll be back dancing on the beach in no time.
I'm very appreciative of all the support the HIVE and Travelfeed community have been giving me.
Where to next?
Well, after leaving Koh Phangan I was off to Vietnam and planned a 3-month stay in Ho Chi Minh City. I already posted one pre-covid article about Ho Chi Minh but I guess I'll continue the rest of the series in order. So get ready for wild club nights, amazing food, and neon cities in my pre-covid Ho Chi Minh Series coming soon!
Let's Connect
I hope everyone is enjoying these posts. I'm sure everyone is anxious to get back out on the road and enjoy life the way we could before the pandemic.
I encourage everyone to do what they can to stay safe and stop the spread of Covid. This doesn't mean living in fear. Do what's right and do what you can to stay healthy! Let's beat this thing and get back to traveling!
Currently based in Siem Reap, Cambodia, I'm a solo-traveling, digital nomad. Due to the pandemic, I've been living in Siem Reap for almost 2 years now. While I'm hoping to get back on the road soon, I'm not in a rush.
I'd love to connect with other travelers, digital nomads, gamers, or residents of Cambodia. Don't hesitate to say hi or send me an upvote!
You can learn more about me and my company at OneZen.me.
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