Whatever you’ve heard about Thailand's infamous Full Moon Party is probably true. Each month, anywhere from 10,000-30,000 thrill-seeking backpackers descend on this island for the all-night beach party just in time for the full moon.
Attractions include: international DJ’s that line the beach and play sets of trance, hip-hop, drum & bass, and reggae until sunrise, fire skipping ropes, buckets, more buckets, and a whole lot of dancing.
2024 - 2025 Full Moon Party dates, Koh Phangan, Thailand.
- January 25, 2024 (Thursday)
- February 25, 2024 (Sunday)
- March 24, 2024 (Sunday)
- April 23, 2024 (Tuesday)
- May 23, 2024 (Thursday)
- June 21, 2024 (Friday)
- July 22, 2024 (Monday)
- August 19, 2024 (Monday) (Available to book)
- September 17, 2024 (Tuesday)
- October 18, 2024 (Friday)
- November 15, 2024 (Friday) (Available to book)
- December 15, 2024 (Sunday)
- December 31, 2024 (Tuesday, New Year Party)
- January 14, 2025 (Tuesday)
- February 12, 2025 (Wednesday)
- March 14, 2025 (Friday)
- April 13, 2025 (Tuesday)
- May 12, 2025 (Thursday)
- June 11, 2025 (Friday)
- July 10, 2025 (Monday)
- August 9, 2025 (Monday)
- September 7, 2025 (Tuesday)
- October 7, 2025 (Friday)
- November 5, 2024 (Friday)
- December 4, 2025 (Sunday)
- December 31, 2025 (Tuesday, New Year Party)
How The Party Started
Back in 1983, a group of travellers found themselves on the island of Koh Phangan in Thailand. There was no electricity, roadside traffic, or loudspeakers playing Despacito. Night fell and they agreed that the combination of the rising moon over the crescent-shaped beach of Haad Rin was one of the most brilliant things they had ever witnessed. The next full moon, they gathered 20 or 30 people for a moonlight celebration.
he Full Moon Party has since become a backpacker tradition and sought-after destination for travellers from around the world. We have absolutely no way of verifying this story but it’s also the traveller folklore we’ve been told many times during our many years spent in Thailand. And it makes for a good story so we’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.
A Word on Safety
The party is a sight to see and an experience in itself. If there is any place where people let loose, give into the atmosphere and bypass any usual inhibitions, it is the Full Moon Party. While the atmosphere is much like many of the music festivals you might have gone to back home, with the same access to the usual party ingredients, we highly advise against taking part in the use of any drugs.
The police make their presence clearly known in uniform, and there are plenty more without uniform hidden in the thousand-person crowds. They have publicly stated their crackdown on the rampant use of drugs at the party. Even the dodgy guys offering you anything you could possibly imagine likely have arrangement with the police to lure in unsuspecting tourists. As with any event where alcohol is readily available, it goes without saying not to accept drinks from strangers or take your eye off your own drink for too long!
And about the fire-skipping we mentioned earlier... to be honest, we can barely skip rope sober wearing trainers on a flat surface. So if you think drunken fire-skipping over a burning rope in the sand is a good idea, go for it! But take a look around the day after the party and you will see many a bandaged backpacker wishing they had decided against jumping over that burning rope doused in petrol.
Beyond steering clear of legal issues and possible third degree burns, the beach itself becomes something of an obstacle course the night of the party. Expect broken bottles and just-tossed cigarettes to be everywhere and anywhere you walk. Footwear is always a good idea for both of these reasons.
Travel Arrangements for the Full Moon Party
We offer a 5-day Full Moon Party tour with all your transportation, accommodation, and a boat trip to Koh Tao.
The Full Moon Party is an unforgettable night of neon colours, energetic music, and beachside revelry. Immerse yourself in a sea of colourful paint and glitter, dancing on one of Thailand's most stunning beaches. While we believe the Full Moon Party isn't the pinnacle of Thai experiences, it's a must-try for those who relish the idea of dancing till dawn with a global crowd.
If you're travelling to the party independently, a common route is to fly into either Bangkok or Phuket and then take a domestic flight to Koh Samui or Surat Thani. From there, you can catch a ferry directly to Koh Phangan. Ferries run frequently and offer a scenic ride across the Gulf of Thailand, dropping you off at Thong Sala Pier. Once on the island, taxis and songthaews are readily available to take you to Haad Rin, the location of the Full Moon Party.
For further inquiries or detailed information about our Thailand tours, feel free to reach out via email.
