Crazier than Spring Festival Eve parties！ A two-kilometer beach “Full Moon Party” that makes the ocean waves tremble

Reported and photographed by reporter You Ruru / Thailand


▲ The monthly Full Moon Party attracts hordes of travelers making a pilgrimage to this island.

Among travelers to Koh Samui, Thailand, there’s a rumor: “On the night of the full moon, remember not to take a boat after midnight, or you might end up in a collision caused by dizzy boat drivers.” What causes these collisions? It’s Koh Phangan, just a 20-minute boat ride from Koh Samui, which is said to have the most beautiful full moon in the world. When the moon is full and you arrive on the island, you can see moonlight pouring onto the sea, swaying along the waves all the way to the shore. Put on some music, open a few bottles of alcohol, and the whole shoreline will ripple and dance to the sound.

The day I arrived on Koh Phangan happened to be a full moon, and the island was hosting its long-running “Full Moon Party.” “Before you get on the island, don’t bring any carry-on luggage — the whole place will be chaos,” the boatman warned repeatedly before we boarded the ferry to Koh Phangan. Also, be careful not to lose the boat pass hanging around your neck. If you drop it in the crowd on the island, don’t blame exhaustion when there’s no boat back.



▲ Vendors selling alcohol and glow-in-the-dark clothes are everywhere on the island.

The origin of the “Full Moon Party” is said to date back many years when a group of foreign youngsters threw a simple beach party under the full moon on Koh Phangan. Everyone who attended thought the beach party there was incredibly beautiful and surprisingly fun, so they wanted to keep the tradition going. After brainstorming reasons to continue the party, they suddenly realized the night was a full moon — and thus, the “Full Moon Party” was born. Since then, every month when the moon is full, the two-kilometer-long sandy beach becomes packed with music, alcohol, and crowds, transforming into a massive nighttime beach party.


▲ Depart at sunset, just in time to catch the last rays of daylight from the boat as the party begins.

Leaving Koh Samui at sunset, the roughly 20-minute boat ride lets you enjoy the final golden glow of the day, marking the start of the Full Moon Party. Upon arrival, you pay a 100-baht entry fee and receive a special Full Moon Party wristband. Walking from the dock to the beach, narrow streets are lined with vendors selling clothes, glow paint, and bucket drinks.

“Alex, Alex!” a vendor suddenly shouts — this is the island’s unique sales pitch. A bucket mixed with cola or Sprite, Red Bull, and alcohol is priced between 200 to 400 baht depending on the liquor. After paying, the vendor adds ice, pours everything in, and creates a “Thai-style cocktail.” I took one sip and gave up — the mix of Red Bull, cola, and alcohol tasted medicinal, bitter enough to make your head spin.



▲ “Alex, Alex!” a vendor suddenly shouts — this is the island’s unique sales pitch.


▲ % Buckets mixed with cola or Sprite, Red Bull, and alcohol are priced between 200 to 400 baht based on the type of liquor.


 
▲ After payment, the vendor adds ice and pours all the drinks into the bucket.

Holding a bucket of mixed booze on the sand, the two-kilometer beach echoes with ear-splitting music. Crowds dressed in glow-in-the-dark shirts printed with “Full Moon Party” jump and bounce nonstop. Thirsty? Take a swig from your drink bucket. Hungry? Grab a slice of pizza from a beach stall and dive back into the dancing crowd. Watch fire dancers hurl showers of sparks across the sand — while you squeal and laugh, dodging the trailing flames.


 





▲ The two-kilometer beach is alive with performances, music, and crowds.

After midnight, the party reaches its climax. Massive flaming letters spelling out “Full Moon Party” are lit on the sand, and the crowd surges toward small seaside stages. These aren’t for professional performers — anyone ready to dance their hearts out can hop on stage and lead the crowd in wild moves from above.

Those who need a break can head to the “chill-out zone” on another part of the beach, where soft mats are laid out on the sand. This is the only area on the whole beach with security, specifically to watch travelers’ belongings. After midnight, people start swaying toward the other end of the beach to lie down.

As night falls on Koh Phangan, the crowds on the beach grow, and the music gets even wilder. The sand and waves truly do seem to dance to the rhythm of the beats, just as the rumors say — with the moon hanging high in the sky. Standing where the beach meets the shoreline, I spot a “foreigner” staggering toward the water. Facing the nearly perfect full moon, he pulls down his pants, and two seconds later, a “ding ding dong dong dong” sound rings out, as the rhythm of man and wave resumes once again.


                          ▲ The “ding ding dong dong dong” sound marks the renewed rhythm of man and wave.

Yongye (Apple) Travel Agency presents the “Charming Rewards: Koh Samui Free & Easy Package,” a 4-day, 3-night trip for two people starting from NT$20,600 per person.http://www.go2th.com.tw/samui/index.html