Full Moon Party

Here in Thailand the island of Koh Pha Ngan is famous for their monthly “Full Moon Party”.  Back in the 80’s this beach party started with about 50 people and since then has grown to over 10,000 people.  The party starts at sunset and continues until sunrise. 

Since the island is only a quick ferry ride from Koh Samui and my friend Sarah’s brother Ben and his friend Eric were going to be there I decided head over to see what all the hype was about. 

A 30-minute ferry ride later I arrived to Koh Pha Ngan.  It was only 4pm but already I could feel the energy in the air.  The streets were crowded with people getting ready for the party, painting their bodies in UV paint, wearing neon colored clothing.  Down on the beach the bars and hotels were setting up their sound systems, dance stages, sectioned off “sleep areas” for those who might want a little nap during this madness, and of course first aid stations (many people end up cutting their feet on broken glass). 

Lined up and down the beach were little stalls selling beer and “buckets” of mixed drinks.  Here if you want a mixed drink they pour a half pint of alcohol and some kind of soda into a plastic bucket and serve it to you with several straws.  One bucket and you are pretty much done.

The people started to flock to the beach around 7pm and by 12am the party was in full motion.  There were so many people crowded on this little strip of beach that you could barely move.  Each bar was blasting a different kind of music and it seemed that everyone had a bucket in hand.

By 4am I was done with the party madness.  Unfortunately our hotel was right where the main party was happening so trying to actually sleep was nearly impossible.  I think it was around 8am when the music finally stopped.  Eric (who took all the pictures I posted) happened to be out and about during that time and said that there were still a few hundred people out dancing and having a great time.

It was definitely an interesting experience but for me once is enough…