I have a lot of thoughts on Thailand as a tourism destination.
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Many moons ago, I studied in Chiang Mai as part of a Global Studies degree program. The gist of the experiential learning course was this: Latch onto an interesting idea and study it using real-world, first-hand sources.
In Chiang Mai, my focus was exploring the implications of sak-yant tattooing for foreigners, which I worked with a translator to complete.
I also studied sex tourism, international relations, topics related to Burmese refugees, Buddhism, animism, and more. It was a mish-mash that only grazed the surface of life in Chiang Mai.
As a travel writer many years later, I rarely get to talk about the things I learned during this period. Tourists, after all, are usually more interested in exotic beaches, colorful drinks, and affordable bazaar shopping—not studying.
Lucky for you, I didn’t spend all my time in Thailand learning about language, history, and religion.
I also dipped a toe into the traditional tourist waters while in Thailand—and yes, I’ve been to a full moon party on Koh Phangan.
Ringing any bells? Thailand’s full moon parties are some of the most iconic in the world and are a well-known quantity for global travelers, especially backpackers with their sights set on Southeast Asia.
And if you’re heading to Thailand over New Year’s Eve or throughout the year, you should probably know the basics about full moon parties.
My experience was easily one of the craziest party moments ever. (And I have partied, my friends.)
What are full moon parties?
Full moon parties are scheduled according to the lunar calendar. They’re really scheduled on the full moon—it’s that easy.
The trend took off on Koh Phangan, a small island popular amongst tourists. It’s part of a three-island chain alongside Koh Samui (where most tourists stay) and Koh Tao (a tiny island where divers usually head).
These islands are accessible from the mainland town of Surat Thani, which offers multiple ferry rides to Koh Samui a day.
You can find full moon parties across the country, from Phuket to Bangkok—but the original party (and the craziest) is held on Koh Phangan every full moon. Around 20,000 tourists head to the island from surrounding areas (usually Koh Samui) via affordable private boat rides. (On a slow night, it might only be around 9,000.)
In most cases, you don’t buy tickets—you just show up and start boozing.
What are full moon parties like?
The full moon party on Koh Phangan is held on a large beach—but it informally covers most non-residential parts of the island. You’ll see people partying everywhere.
And what does the party look like?
Let me paint a picture. Small stands line the roads and beaches, which sell drinks in child-sized beach-toy buckets. This is where the vodka Red Bull was invented—which is a popular choice.
You can buy pretty much any cocktail mixture from these stands. (If you know where to go, you can find other party favors… but these are extremely illegal, so I’d advise skipping out.)
The sun sets, the full moon comes out, and people start partying.
During my full moon experience, the beach was so full of people that many of us were standing in the tide to avoid the legions.
A massive effigy reading KOH PHANGAN FULL MOON PARTY was lit—and a handful of drunk tourists were climbing the fifteen-foot display as it burned. At one point, someone lit a rope on fire and people jump-roped.
The calmest part of the night was when we set off lanterns into the night sky… and then realized one of our co-releasers had his dick out for some reason. Yeah. Welcome to full moon parties.
Am I painting a solid picture of the debauchery? If you like shouting, vodka, and fire, it’s probably the best night of your life. Newer full moon parties also include tons of neon-lit exhibits and attractions, adding to the Instragrammable nature of the party and its no-holds-barred outlook.
But, to be blunt, it wasn’t for me—and I was 21 when I went.
I’ll leave it at that.
How is a full moon party different than a New Year’s Eve party in Thailand?
Full moon parties are held every full moon—but most locations that throw these parties also hold New Year’s Eve parties.
Whether or not the full moon aligns with the turning of the new year, you can find similar parties around the country. Again, though ‘the Full Moon Party’ comes from Koh Phangan, you’ll find them in large tourist hotspots.
If you see a New Year’s Eve party advertised as a full moon party, they’re probably just describing the nature and atmosphere of the party. It’ll be similar to what I described above, though not identical.
Best NYE celebrations in Thailand for 2024-25 NYE
I hope I haven’t scared anyone away from Thailand, Koh Phangan, or the country’s full moon parties. If you’re into that type of thing, then go for it—just be mindful of the environment, locals, and any sacred sites or temples.
Remember, my opinion is only my own, and my goal is to empower you to have a great trip no matter where you go and what I think of the destination.
If you’re going to be spending New Year’s Eve in Thailand, I’d recommend looking into all your options. Though Koh Phangan is the most famous party spot, it’s hard to get to. You need to take a ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Samui, then onto Koh Phangan.
Oh, and you need to find a private boat ride home at 5 am… or whenever you’re ready to call it quits.
Here are a few other popular New Year’s Eve celebrations around the country:
- Bangkok: Central World Street and Countdown, Street Party at Khao San Road
- Chiang Mai: Hot Air Lanterns, Riverside Music Madness
- Phuket: Surin Beach
- Pattaya: Walking Streets
