The full moon party in Thailand is considered the largest party in Southeast Asia. Every month, thousands of people travel to Haad Rin on the island of Koh Phangan in Thailand to celebrate the full moon. While attendance may vary from month to month, the event has seen over 30,000 people out on the beach celebrating the full moon, so you need to prepare for masses of people.
Known as one of the wildest beach parties in the world, it is a night full of loud music, dancing, and drinking. The chaos runs the entire week of the full moon, which causes many travelers to head into Northern Thailand to avoid the party. This information isn't to deter you from going, but it isn't for everyone.
Along with music and dancing, there are bonfires, and many party-goers cover themselves with body paint designs. Being on the beach on a tropical island, clothing is often minimal. Go prepared for what you are going to experience. You will also experience an overall lack of sleep as the party doesn't start dying down until the following afternoon.
The full moon party started in the 1980s with a small group of people amazed by the beauty of the full moon in that region. The beach at Haad Rin provided the perfect view, and it became a monthly meeting place. As the crowds grew more significant, the location expanded to cover the entire peninsula. The official party is on the night of the full moon, but as people start gathering in the area, the pre-full moon parties pop up each evening.
While some argue that the event has become too commercialized to be a bucket list destination still, others say that for those who are backpacking in Southeast Asia, it is a necessary rite of passage. Like any significant and long-standing event, there will be critics. Even with the strong commercial element, the full moon party is still an experience you won't find anywhere else.
If you plan to attend the full moon party, here are some things to consider. Due to the enormity of the event, it is essential to know as much as you can before attending. Wild and Away is a website that provides advice for attending festivals and events around the world and is an excellent go-to resource to check out before planning your trip.
While many enjoy the noise and chaos and go home reminiscing about the best party they ever attended, others have a much different experience. With the drinking, dancing, and overall chaos, injuries are not uncommon. If you are not accustomed to tropical temperatures, the combination of heat and alcohol may cause health problems. 'Despite the abundance of alcoholic beverages, it is essential to drink water to avoid heatstroke and dehydration.
Due to the sheer mass of people at the party, you should avoid carrying around large amounts of cash or valuables. If you have nowhere near to safely store your stuff, find a way to store it remotely until you return from the party. If you are traveling with friends, be sure to stay together. It is easy to get lost in a crowd of 30,000 people.
It is crucial to ensure you are protected with international travel insurance. With the additional insurance, you will not need to fret over medical bills or an inability to get medical attention while in Thailand. Being hospitalized while traveling abroad can become very expensive very quickly, and you may discover your primary health insurance will not cover the extra expenses. Getting sick or injured is bad enough when traveling; the last thing you want is to go home from the full moon party with more bills than memories.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
